“About this time, Abimelech came with Phicol, his army commander, to visit Abraham. “God is obviously with you, helping you in everything you do,” Abimelech said. “Swear to me in God’s name that you will never deceive me, my children, or any of my descendants. I have been loyal to you, so now swear that you will be loyal to me and to this country where you are living as a foreigner.” Abraham replied, “Yes, I swear to it!” Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had taken by force from Abraham’s servants. “This is the first I’ve heard of it,” Abimelech answered. “I have no idea who is responsible. You have never complained about this before.” Abraham then gave some of his sheep, goats, and cattle to Abimelech, and they made a treaty. But Abraham also took seven additional female lambs and set them off by themselves. Abimelech asked, “Why have you set these seven apart from the others?” Abraham replied, “Please accept these seven lambs to show your agreement that I dug this well.” Then he named the place Beersheba (which means “well of the oath”), because that was where they had sworn the oath. After making their covenant at Beersheba, Abimelech left with Phicol, the commander of his army, and they returned home to the land of the Philistines. Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he worshiped the Lord, the Eternal God. And Abraham lived as a foreigner in Philistine country for a long time.”
Genesis 21:22-34 NLT
Even though Abraham was a foreigner in foreign lands, it was clear that there was something different about him. Namely, it was that he served a god who was different from the gods of the land. This god intervened in human history. He both kept Sarah safe from Abimilech, and kept Abimilech safe from God’s wrath. Therefore, it is no wonder that Abimilech took notice of Abraham. He was different, because his god was different. This didn’t bring Abimilech to his knees in worship, but it did lead him to establish a treaty to protect his assets. After all, if this god of Abraham can threaten, even his dreams, would there be anywhere he is not reached? Could there be anything that he cannot touch? This seems obvious but it isn’t insignificant. Here we see the beginning of a recognition that Abraham’s god is different. This is, of course, the fulfillment of a prophetic movement. God had declared that all the nations would be blessed through him. It was also a declaration to the gods, and demons and angels, that YHWH is not like any other, and that his servants would not be like any other. This treaty represented a sort of coming out party in the divine council. Abraham and God had arrived as a force, and team, to be reckoned with. They were not to be trifled with. They were not to be taken lightly. They were a net loss equation for anyone who would war against them. It is better to live at peace and prosper than seek to use force against them and perish.
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