Treasures New and Old

Genesis: Chapter Twelve: Abraham Goes to Egypt

We pick up this month about halfway through the chapter with Abram’s family being driven from Canaan to Egypt because of a great famine in the land. God often uses natural events (like floods, famines, etc.) to drive events on earth that serve His greater purposes. Abram gets tested, for he is fearful regarding his beautiful wife . . .

Outline Reminder:

1. God calls Abram, promises him that he is to have a special blessing (Messiah?) (vs. 1-3)
2. Abram departs with Lot from Haran (vs. 4-5)
3. Abram sojourns through Canaan and God promises it to him in a vision (vs. 6-9)
4. Abram and family driven to Egypt by a famine (vs 10-13)
5. Abram lies about Sarai, she is taken by Pharaoh to wife, she is restored to Abram because of plagues (vs. 14-20)

Genesis 12:10-13:

“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. 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: 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. 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.”

Observations:

• How long does it take to make a famine in the land grievous? Why Egypt? Had he heard from travelers and merchants that there was water and grasslands aplenty in Egypt? Nile delta is/was very fertile.

• Some speculate that he was not directed by God to go to Egypt and, therefore, was outside God’s will. Until now, he appears a confident leader, finding places to make long-term camps, making alters, etc.

• A famine drives him to Egypt. Perhaps Abram is now on his own, a dry spell with God. He now has a fear about him that he did not have before. He has fallen into the age-old trap: the fear of man! Egypt is a different people by now and a different tongue. Whereas we speculate that Canaan was closely related to Ur in peoples and language which would have aided Abram’s confidence as he journeyed.

• Their sojourn in Egypt, again, was not to be overnight, but perhaps years (at least until the famine is over.)

• Only a half lie: So, he prearranges for Sarai to claim that she is his sister, not for her sake, but for his! When we are outside God’s will, we tend to justify behaviors instead of trusting God.

• To be fair, Abram’s words did indicate that he didn’t think that Sarai was in danger of her life; she was too beautiful to kill!

• Sarai is amazing obedient in this matter.

• To the men: Have we made decisions like Abram, self-preservation with less regard for our wives and family?

• To the ladies: Could you do as Sarai did in obeying your husband? Remember, she was carried off to the harem and still did not break Abram’s request.

Genesis 12:14-20:

And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair. The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. 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. And 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 that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife? 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. And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent away, and his wife, and all that he had.

Observations:

• Pharaoh is a title like king or dictator.

• Pharaoh was believed to be divine and had absolute power as a despot. (He may have been nice . . .)

• Once Abram is settled in Egypt, tents set up, animals grazing and watered, I can see patrols reporting back to Pharaoh via his overseers, princes, etc. (up the chain of command) that this rich guy is in town, and he has a real beautiful sister.

• Note, it is likely the Abram was not the only one to migrate to Egypt because of the famine, but he is rich and would be noticed.

• Pharaoh uses his despot-like prerogative and takes Sarai into his household – intending to ultimately make her one of his wives.

• God plagues Pharaoh (and we suppose Egypt) with a great plagues – how long does it take to (1) give all kinds of gifts to Abram for the exchange of his “sister”, (2) have Sarai in the house and start thinking of marrying her, (3) for God to start dropping plagues (plural and not necessarily all at the same time), (4) Pharaoh’s best advisors gets together and noticed these things seem to be linked to this Abram guy and/or his sister, (5) perhaps by now Sarai tells Pharaoh that she is actually Abram’s wife, or Pharaoh has spies check things out and bring back word that she is his wife, (6) Pharaoh summons Abram to his court and confronts him with the lie.

• I believe that Pharaoh feared a God who can plague him and his kingdom and, instead of killing Abram, sends him (yea – thrust him) out of Egypt back into the south of Canaan in the Hebron region (where some think he should have stayed in the first place).

Some questions for ourselves:

• Let’s not be tough on Abram. He is a man like we are, and whenever any of us step outside God’s will, expect to be a little lost. Abram appears to have taken matters into his own hands and stopped letting God direct.

• Ladies, clearly Abram was like most men, a flawed individual who was capable of falling/failing in his duties.

• Do you notice that while in Egypt there is no reference of Abram calling on the name of their Lord? Ever been where you know you shouldn’t, and have you noticed that while there, you really don’t want to have a prayer meeting with God? He might just tell you that you are in trouble and to get out of there!

• Do you think that at any time during this period Abram’s conscious bothered him?

• I see this time in Egypt as a test for Abram by God to see if he will remember Him and call on His name. which he doesn’t.

Ever feel like you were forced to flee to a “spiritual Egypt” and had a very dry spell with your relationship with God/Christ? Those are the times when we most need Him and should strive to seek Him. Otherwise we may end up making some serious decisions that later on turn out to be damaging to our lives and our relationship with Christ.

Maranatha!

Bro. Joe