Scripture: Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, “I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.” When Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. And when the princes of Pharaoh saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. And for her sake he dealt well with Abram; and he had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels.
But the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. So 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,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife; take her, and go.” And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him, and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had.
Genesis 12:10-20 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, God commands Abram to leave Haran, promising to make a great nation from and name for Abram. Yahweh further assures Abram that he will bless those Abram blesses and curse those who disrespect him. So, Abram departs with his wife Sarai, nephew Lot, and his servants and possessions gained in Haran and sets out to the southwest toward Canaan. Upon arriving, Abram travels to Shechem and settles at the oak of Moreh, where the Lord reveals himself and speaks to Abram, promising to give this land to his offspring. So, Abram builds an altar to the Lord. Abram then relocates to the hill country between Bethel and Ai from Shechem and again builds an altar to the Lord, calling on Yahweh’s name. Lastly, he sojourns to the Negeb (an arid region in the southern part of Israel).
Today’s reading continues the story of Abram and Sarai with their stay in Egypt, where they resettle due to a famine in the Negeb. Before arriving, Abram implores Sarai to tell the Egyptians she is his sister to garner Pharoah’s favor and avoid the possibility of Pharaoh killing Abram to obtain his beautiful wife. Upon arrival, as expected, Pharaoh’s princes behold Sarai’s beauty and sing her praises to Pharaoh. So, Pharaoh takes Sarai into his house and showers Abram with gifts of livestock and servants. But Yahweh intervenes, afflicting Pharaoh and his court with plagues. Thus, Pharaoh questions Abram why he has concealed that Sarai is his wife and commands his officers to escort Abram and Sarai with all their servants and livestock out of Egypt.
Historical note: An Egyptian papyrus (Anastasi VI) records an entire clan, possibly similar to Abram’s, traveling south into Egypt during a drought. Additionally, archeologists and geologists have uncovered evidence of a massive drought that preceded and extended beyond the time frame for when Abram would have traveled to Egypt. This scientific evidence further corroborates the biblical account, reinforcing the historical accuracy of our text.
Takeaway: As seen through these first twelve chapters, Moses wants his audience (Promised-Land-bound Israel) to see the parallels between the patriarchs and the nation of Israel regarding Yahweh’s faithfulness to his covenant people. Just as Abrah relocated his family to Egypt amid a severe famine, so did Jacob. Just as Abram initially came under Pharaoh’s favor, so did Jacob’s clan. And just as God inflicted Pharaoh with plagues to motivate Pharaoh to send Abram and all his people and possessions out of Egypt, so did God afflict Ramses II and spur him to send God’s people out of Egypt with all their possessions.
Undoubtedly, Moses wants to encourage and embolden this second generation of wilderness wanderers, but not based on beguiling ingenuity. Instead, Israel must find their courage and strength in knowing that even though they will struggle to keep their end of the covenant terms, Yahweh will always be faithful to his promises. Moreover, he will show unmerited favor in providing for their every need—and sometimes in excess (i.e., exiting enemy territory with the spoils of victory).
Our takeaway? First, this story does not justify a prosperity Gospel. Nor does it promise that we, his children, will always be extricated from suffering—as evidenced by history (e.g., Jesus, the apostles, and the many saints of the past two millennia). However, it reveals that God is always faithful to his word and will accomplish what we cannot. There is no better example than the Father sending his Son to do what humankind repeatedly failed to achieve: perfect love and obedience to him.
So, how do we respond to this reality? Not like Abram, who deceived the man in authority over him, but like the maturing Abraham, who will go through the steps of offering his only Son in obedience to the Lord—trusting that if there is no intervention, the Lord will resurrect his son (Genesis 22). Instead, we must resist scheming and embrace our Covenant Keeper and Lover of our souls, trusting that no matter the consequences of telling the truth, God will either deliver us from harm’s way or take us home to be with him where there is no more sin and suffering.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for your Son, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and thus always told the truth—no matter the consequences. Moreover, we thank you that he, like you, was a covenant keeper and perfectly fulfilled your will so that we may have abundant life in you and him. Still, sin-prone amid a fallen world, we struggle to trust in your goodness and grace and sometimes deceive and lie to avoid consequences. So, would you please help us trust your provision and care and be covenant truth-tellers—particularly regarding witnessing your Son? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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