This verse, Genesis 20:6, is spoken to Abimelech, the king of Gerar, in a dream. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"God said to him in the dream...": This indicates the source of the message is divine and direct.
"...“Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this...": God acknowledges that Abimelech's intentions were pure. Abimelech took Sarah into his harem, believing she was Abraham's sister (as Abraham had told him). God recognizes that Abimelech was acting according to what he believed was right. The phrase "integrity of your heart" suggests Abimelech wasn't deliberately trying to do wrong.
"...and I also withheld you from sinning against me.": This is the crucial part. God reveals that He actively intervened to prevent Abimelech from committing a sin, specifically adultery with Sarah, who was married to Abraham. God is saying he knew Abimelech had not slept with Sarah.
"...Therefore I didn’t allow you to touch her.": God explains how he withheld Abimelech from sinning. He prevented any physical contact between Abimelech and Sarah, keeping Abimelech from consummating a relationship that would have been adulterous and offensive to God. It also implies that had God not intervened, Abimelech would have slept with Sarah.
In summary, the verse means:
God assures Abimelech that He knows Abimelech acted with good intentions. However, God also reveals that He actively prevented Abimelech from committing adultery with Sarah. God is in control of the situation and intervened to protect His covenant with Abraham and to keep Abimelech from unknowingly sinning. It highlights God's sovereignty and his ability to intervene in human affairs to prevent wrongdoing and protect his plans.
This verse, Genesis 20:6, is spoken to Abimelech, the king of Gerar, in a dream. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"God said to him in the dream...": This indicates the source of the message is divine and direct.
"...“Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this...": God acknowledges that Abimelech's intentions were pure. Abimelech took Sarah into his harem, believing she was Abraham's sister (as Abraham had told him). God recognizes that Abimelech was acting according to what he believed was right. The phrase "integrity of your heart" suggests Abimelech wasn't deliberately trying to do wrong.
"...and I also withheld you from sinning against me.": This is the crucial part. God reveals that He actively intervened to prevent Abimelech from committing a sin, specifically adultery with Sarah, who was married to Abraham. God is saying he knew Abimelech had not slept with Sarah.
"...Therefore I didn’t allow you to touch her.": God explains how he withheld Abimelech from sinning. He prevented any physical contact between Abimelech and Sarah, keeping Abimelech from consummating a relationship that would have been adulterous and offensive to God. It also implies that had God not intervened, Abimelech would have slept with Sarah.
In summary, the verse means:
God assures Abimelech that He knows Abimelech acted with good intentions. However, God also reveals that He actively prevented Abimelech from committing adultery with Sarah. God is in control of the situation and intervened to protect His covenant with Abraham and to keep Abimelech from unknowingly sinning. It highlights God's sovereignty and his ability to intervene in human affairs to prevent wrongdoing and protect his plans.