The reruns in scripture help me avoid repeating mistakes myself

By Dean Collins

I have mixed thoughts about TV reruns. In the good old days when we had only three networks and limited shows, there weren’t big announcements about the season-ending episodes. We basically discovered there were no new episodes because they simply started showing that season’s reruns. And often the reruns were random. The series episodes were not sequential as shows are today.

Have you noticed that if you rewatch a great series or movie you see many things you missed the first time around? This happens in Bible reading, too, particularly when you read whole books and not just a passage here and there. I have experienced a few of these instances in my recent reading of Genesis and the Abraham narratives in particular. 

Similar decisions

I imagine you have had the “like father like son” thought when you read about Issac and his attempt to deceive Abimelech’s servants suggesting that Rebekah was his sister rather than his wife. There are definite similarities:

• Abraham told Abimelech that Sarah was his sister. I suppose Abraham justified his lie because Abraham and Sarah actually did share one common parent.  However, they were in fact married.

• Issac did not present Rebekah to Abimelech as his sister, but he did say that to the other leaders in Gerar.

• Both Abraham and Issac had attractive wives. They both lied about the nature of their relationship. They both acted in fear of the foreign leader. They both put their wives at risk. They both failed to trust God to provide for them, even though their sojourn was directed by God.

• The other commonality in these stories is that they both had challenges with water rights. In each case, there was a disconnect between what the leaders had agreed upon concerning the wells that were dug and what others thought or practiced concerning access to water. How many times do we experience that issue in the church and in business? There may be a clear path or directive from a leader, yet it is either ignored or not explained to others. And sometimes if it is explained, it is simply ignored.

Shared assumptions

There was a direct assumption that Abraham admitted when Abimelech found out that Sarah was his wife. Issac clearly made the same assumption that the leaders and the people of Gerar were godless.  

Abraham said, “I thought, ‘This is a godless place. They will want my wife and will kill me to get her’” (Genesis‬ ‭20‬:‭11‬ ).‭

The reaction of Abimelech was actually the opposite. When he discovered the truth, he immediately corrected the situation. “Didn’t Abraham tell me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘Yes, he is my brother.’ I acted in complete innocence! My hands are clean.’ In the dream God responded, ‘Yes, I know you are innocent. That’s why I kept you from sinning against me, and why I did not let you touch her. Now return the woman to her husband, and he will pray for you, for he is a prophet. Then you will live. But if you don’t return her to him, you can be sure that you and all your people will die’” (Genesis‬ ‭20‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬).

I wonder how many times we treat others a certain way because of assumptions we make about their faith, their character, and their background. Probably more than we would care to admit. But when we see people with God’s eyes and approach them openly with his love, we might just discover they either are already pursuing God or are more open than we think.

Shared exile

We must not forget that just like Abraham, Issac, and even centuries later the post-exile children of God, we too live as exiles here on earth. The apostle Peter gives us clear directions: “Dear friends, I warn you as ‘temporary residents and foreigners’ to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls” (‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬).

We are not to get too comfortable or demanding about how things are supposed to be for us and for others but rather to love others and to show the kindness and mercy of Christ as we live as kingdom residents and spread the good news of the kingdom of God.

Some days I am sure we experience what we think are rerun situations at work, at home, and in relationships. It is discouraging when you think things are the same, particularly if they are hard or bad. Yet we must check ourselves quickly. The book of Lamentations reminds us that God’s faithfulness is new every morning. His grace, his mercy, and his love were demonstrated long ago and in our past experiences as well. But we know that when we repent of sin and submit ourselves to God, he will both forgive us and create new and wonderful paths of service for us in his kingdom.

I want to learn from all of the reruns of scripture and find ways to correct my mistakes and fully embrace the goodness of God today and every day. Will you join me?

Your time with God’s Word
Genesis 26:1-22 NLT

Photo by Anete Lusina at www.pexels.com

To receive daily posts delivered directly to your inbox, complete the form at the bottom of our home page.
To download a printable version of today’s post, click here.