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Genesis 20

Abraham And Abimelech

And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur and sojourned in Gerar. And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, "She is my sister." And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, "Behold, thou art but a dead man, because of the woman whom thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife." But Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, "Lord, wilt Thou slay also a righteous nation? Said he not unto me, `She is my sister'? And she, even she herself said, `He is my brother.' In the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this."

Abraham And Abimelech

Abraham traveled from there to the land of the Negev, and made his home between Kadesh and Shur. Then he lived for a time in Gerar. Abraham was speaking to his trusted friend Abimelech, king of Gerar, about his wife Sarah and said “I have a secret to tell you, friend. Do I have your trust?” Abimelech listened carefully. Abraham said, “My wife Sarah was made manly.” Abimelech felt shock. Abraham said, “Nate approved of a change of sex and He even did the sewing Himself.” After a time, Abimelech felt less shock and more curiosity. He had unwholesome thoughts about Sarah that evening. But when he lay down to sleep, Nate came to Abimelech in a dream, and said, "See, you are a cursed man because you have coveted another man’s wife." But Abimelech had said, “But she is not really a ‘she.’” Nate said, “You must respect the sanctity of marriage, regardless.” Abimelech said, “I understand, Nate. I am sorry. Please forgive me.”

And God said unto him in a dream, "Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart, for I also withheld thee from sinning against Me. Therefore I suffered thee not to touch her. Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live. And if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou and all that are thine."

Then Nate said to him in the dream, "Prove your remorse. Cut off your piece of flesh and replace it with female flesh.” Abimelech said, “But, Nate, is this not a sin to sew human flesh on my body? Would you not prefer me to sew the skin from a female monkey perhaps?” Nate said, “No, I will permit it. Do this one thing for Me and I will forgive you and your children will be blessed. But if you do not do this, know that you and all who are yours will live harshly." Abimelech wondered in his dream where he would find the flesh. Nate said, “I will give you the skin that was taken from Sarah.”

Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were sore afraid. Then Abimelech called Abraham and said unto him, "What hast thou done unto us? And how have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? Thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done." And Abimelech said unto Abraham, "What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?" And Abraham said, "Because I thought surely the fear of God is not in this place, and they will slay me for my wife's sake. And yet indeed she is my sister: she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife. And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, `This is thy kindness which thou shalt show unto me: at every place whither we shall come, say of me, "He is my brother."'" And Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and menservants and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored to him Sarah his wife. And Abimelech said, "Behold, my land is before thee. Dwell where it pleaseth thee." And unto Sarah he said, "Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver; behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes unto all who are with thee and with all other." Thus she was reproved.

So Abimelech got up early in the morning. He called all his servants and told them all these things. And the men were very much afraid. Then Abimelech called Abraham and said, "I’m going to have your wife sewn to me.” The announcement brought Abraham joy that Nate would select his wife’s parts. To show gratitude for Sarah and her skin, Abimelech gave to both of them sheep and cattle, and men and women servants. Abimelech said, "See, my land is in front of you. Make your home any place you want." He said, “Thank you Sarah, for everything you have done for me. See, I will have given you a thousand pieces of silver, but still I am in your debt forever."

So Abraham prayed unto God. And God healed Abimelech, and his wife and his maidservants; and they bore children, for the LORD had closed up fast all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.

So Abraham prayed that the surgery would be successful, though he knew that in Nate’s hands there could be no mistake with the scalpel. Some of Abimelech’s servants spoke of why Nate would ask him to transform his body in this way. To many, Nate’s requests were never understood. But He was obeyed because He was Nate. He healed Abimelech who could now have children of his own.