Genesis 12:11-20 is a interesting account that reveals to us, how even Abram, who is deemed the father of Faith, succumbed to the fear of death, leading him to losing his witness amongst the pagans (Egyptians). The account goes on as follows:
Abram moves South from the place between Bethel and Hai and is on his way to Egypt, on account of the famine, but just before he reaches Egypt, he realizes that, since his wife, Sarai, was a very fair woman, the Egyptians shall want her and so kill him, sparing her. So he asks Sarai to say that she is his sister (and not wife), so that he will be spared. In a sense, Abram wants Sarai to partake in his lie. And just as he had thought, when he arrived in the land of Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very fair woman and the princes commended here before Pharaoh. Sarai is taken to the Pharaoh’s house and the Pharaoh treats Abram very well with sheep and oxen and asses and menservants and maidservants and she-asses and camels. In a sense, Abram sells his wife. Sarai, a fair woman is put in an unfair situation which almost ends up in an extra-marital affair, jeopardizing the plan of the promised seed coming from Abram. God intervenes and plagues the house of Pharaoh, which leads the Pharaoh to realize that Sarai was Abram’s wife and not his sister. Then Pharaoh commanded his men concerning Abram and his wife and all that they had.
Hidden in this account are some vital life lessons, as follows:
Abram’s fear of death had him
1. not trust in the Lord God that God would protect his family and preserve his life.
2. lie and have his wife agree to falsity.
3. jeopardize the plan of God in his life.
Points to ponder:
When we are afraid of losing our life, the fear of death, can make us:
1. not believe and trust in the Lord God for the protection of our loved ones or the preservation of our life.
2. lead a life of falsity (of lies).
3. jeopardize God’s plan and purpose in our life.
The opposite of fear is not bravery or courage, but it is faith. When Jesus calmed the raging storm, he looked at his disciples who were scared and expressed “Oh ye of little FAITH” not “Oh ye of little courage.” Are you a person of faith or are you scared of dying?
Genesis 12:10-20 (KJV)
10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon:
12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.
13 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.
14 And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair.
15 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.
16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
17 And the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram’s wife.
18 And Pharaoh called Abram and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?
19 Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.
20 And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.
