Genesis 12:10-20 “Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land. And it came to pass, when he was close to entering Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “Indeed I know that you are a woman of beautiful countenance. Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you.”
So it was, when Abram came into Egypt, that the Egyptians saw the woman, that she was very beautiful. The princes of Pharaoh also saw her and commended her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken to Pharaoh’s house. He treated Abram well for her sake. He had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male and female servants, female donkeys, and camels.
But the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. And Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? Why did you say, ‘She is my sister’? I might have taken her as my wife. Now therefore, here is your wife; take her and go your way.” So Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they sent him away, with his wife and all that he had.”
Abram is at least 75 and his wife is a little younger. Sarai must be incredibly beautiful for the Egyptians to suggest Pharaoh add her to his harem. But the story of Abram’s duplicity is very sad. Abram is willing to sacrifice his wife to save himself, allowing Sarai to risk being raped, abused, or even murdered. At this point, Abram is not precisely an ideal hero of the faith, and later, he will do the same thing in a different setting. How does Sarai feel about this?
Abram starts out by benefiting from allowing Sarai to enter the harem, collecting sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male and female servants, female donkeys, and camels. But God intervenes on Sarai’s behalf, sending plagues on Pharaoh and his household. By some means, Pharaoh realizes that these plagues are from God because of Sarai entering the harem. God has protected Sarai from Pharaoh taking her as another wife. Pharaoh realizes Abram’s deception and also realizes that Abram and Sarai are under God’s protection and sends them away.
What can we learn from this story? Abram is trying to save his own skin and to gain peace in the process; however, godly peace can never be gained by deception. Abram doesn’t bother to ask for God’s protection; he simply comes up with a scheme of his own, and a wretched one at that. Later, one of Abram’s descendants will pull something similar, most likely using Abram as an excuse.
Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission, was fond of saying that “God’s work done God’s way will never lack God’s supply.” The reverse is also true: Refusing to do things God’s way will result in disaster. God must be shaking his head in disdain as He sends the plagues on Egypt to deliver Sarai.
Why is God allowing Abram to get away with such a horrible deed? God knows that Abran believes in him and that Abram will eventually grow far beyond the need to attempt to be his own amateur providence. By the end of Abram’s lifetime, Abram will have received a new name, Abraham, and will also have received incredible promises from God. This part of Abram’s story should encourage all of us, for we all have tried to make things happen on our own without waiting for God.
There is also another aspect to this situation. As we were concluding our first two-year mission term, we realized that the work of the Kingdom of God goes on in spite of most of us, not because of most of us. This story from Abram’s life serves as a graphic illustration. Looking at Abram’s behavior in this situation, most of us would never think that this man would become the father of nations, a man whose name would go down in history and for whom many other outstanding men would be named, including Abraham Lincoln. The plain fact is that God uses flawed people to do His work because that’s the only kind of people available. If not for God’s power, His mercy, and His grace, none of us would accomplish anything for the Kingdom.
Want peace? Do things God’s way, for that is the only way that will work. All other efforts will result in disaster and embarrassment. Perhaps God will graciously deliver us from our foolishness; however, why take a chance?
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow Your leading so that we will have Your peace rather than trying to make things happen on our own. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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