ABRAHAM FINDS THE WAY OF FAITH (Read Chapter 12:1-9)

His Faith Takes Root In Unlikely Circumstances. (Refer to Chapter 11:28)

Abraham discovers that the way to a right relationship with God is by faith. He grew up in Ur, a city of the Chaldeans in Southern Babylonia. Alfred Edersheim[1] tells us that Ur was “one of the oldest, if not the most ancient, among the cities of Chaldea. It lies about six miles away from the River Euphrates.” He tells us that bricks which archaeologists have found at the site have the name ‘Hur’ on them.
   Our guide books[2] give us further valuable information about the city of Ur. The people’s religious life was built around moon worship. The main deity of Ur was Nannar. Each city had its own principal god. While the gods were regarded as immortal it was realised that they had limited power. Objects such as a stone or tree were regarded as being  possessed of spirit life. Spirits and demons were feared. The economy of the city was built around the temple where priests and priestesses performed their religious duties.

   Those involved in the temple worship had various roles to play. There were singers and musicians to give a lead in the ceremonies. The exorcist voiced his incantations. Some were engaged in ascertaining the will of the gods by reference to omens of various kinds. Medical treatment was associated with religious practices and astrology. The regular services included giving the gods something to eat and drink. Sacrifices placed on the altars were later taken whole or in part by the priests. Many women including sanctuary prostitutes were attached to the temples.

   We read also of places of worship in people’s homes.[3] “In addition to the temples there were other places of worship … Special household chapels were found in many of the houses with small altars and hearths. Closely associated with the chapel was the family god, probably quite distinct from those worshipped at the great shrines.” Abraham’s father Terah may have built one of these in the family home. Joshua tells us, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says, ‘Your ancestors, including Terah, the father of Nahor and Abraham, lived beyond the Euphrates River and they worshipped other gods.’ ” (Joshua 24:2).

   Like Abraham, many people have found faith in an unlikely environment. Paul for example, who grew up in the strict religious environment of the Pharisees. But it was in the company of those who shared his intolerance of Christians on the way to Damascus for “the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there” (Acts 9:2), that he became a Christian himself. Paul gives an account of this experience to King Agrippa on a later occasion. (Acts 26).

   Matthew was another who discovered the way to faith in Christ in an unlikely place. He was a tax collector, one of a greatly despised group working for the Romans in the collection taxes, taking far more than was required from the people, keeping the excess for themselves. But when Jesus came into his world with the invitation, “Come be my disciple” (Matthew 9:9), he had no hesitation in responding.

   The imperial civil service of Rome would seem an unlikely work place in which to find Christians. But from Paul’s letters we learn that many civil servants did in fact became Christians right there in Caesar’s palace. He includes them, for example, in his greetings to the Christians in Philippi. “Give my greetings to all the Christians there. The brothers who are with me here send you their greetings. And all the other Christians send their greetings too, especially those who work in Caesar’s palace.” (Philippians 4:21).

   Zechariah was another whose faith in God became a reality in an unlikely situation. We find him in a legalistic religious system not conducive to faith. He was one of many priests serving in the temple in Jerusalem. Alfred Edersheim[4] tells us that the priesthood was arranged into ‘twenty four courses.’ And that, “Each course of priests and of Levites came on duty for a week, from one Sabbath to another.” During the week the priests were assigned various duties. One week Zechariah found himself rostered for what Edersheim[5] describes as “the most honourable service in the daily ministry—that of burning the incense on the golden altar within the Holy Place.” One day during that week, “Zechariah was in the sanctuary when an angel of the Lord appeared, standing to the right of the incense altar.” (Luke 1:11). He was surprised to learn of God’s plans for him and his wife Elizabeth. So surprised and slow to believe that he was rendered speechless and unable to offer the prayer of thanksgiving which preceded the bringing in of the sacrificial lamb. “Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out, wondering why he was taking so long. When he finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realised from his gestures that he must have seen a vision in the Temple sanctuary.” (Luke 1:21-22). As the result of this unexpected encounter a religious life based on ritual and tradition became one of joyous reality for Zechariah.

Returning now to the life of Abraham we discover that …

Justification Is By Faith Alone.

 Louis Berkhof’'s[6] definition provides us with a good starting point for understanding the term. He writes, “Justification may be defined as that legal act of God by which he declares the sinner righteous on the basis of the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ.” The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines justification as the “declaring a person free from the penalty of sin on ground of Christ’s righteousness.”

   When a person puts his or her faith in Christ and accepts his sacrificial death as being for them, then God sees that person as clothed in the righteousness of Christ, no longer trusting in our own righteousness. For “We are all infected and impure with sin. When we proudly display our righteous deeds, we find they are but filthy rags.” (Isaiah 64:6). Clothed now in the “the clothing of salvation” and “a robe of righteousness”(Isaiah 61:10),  we enjoy once more a good relationship with God.

   Christ’s sacrificial death being the basis for our justification is relevant for Abraham and all others in Old Testament times who put their trust in the Lord, because, in the mind of God, Christ’s death was already an accomplished fact. John mentions this in his reference to “ …the Book of Life, which belongs to the Lamb who was killed before the world was made.” (Revelation 13:8). The author of Hebrews also picks up this aspect in a treatise on the nature of Christ’s ministry in which he is both priest and sacrifice. “He came once, for all time, at the end of the age, to remove the power of sin for ever by his sacrificial death for us.” (Hebrews 9:26).

   Growing up in the religious environment of Babylonia, it would have been difficult for the young Abraham to hear the voice of God. But hear it he did and responded by putting his faith in him. “And Abraham believed the LORD and the LORD declared him righteous because of his faith.” (Genesis 15:6).

   Paul makes much of Abraham’s discovery as he explains how a person may enjoy a good relationship with the Lord. He writes, “But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus …What shall we say then that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness … Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 3:21-24, 4:1-3, 5:1 NIV).

Exploring more of the life of Abraham we uncover treasures that are valuable for us today.

He Was Called For A Great Purpose.  (12:1-3)

His calling was to be a father. Is there a greater calling than this? A father, a mother who point their children to the Lord. Like fathers who bring up their children “with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4). Like Timothy’s mother Eunice. Paul reminds him, “I know you sincerely trust the Lord, for you  have the faith of your mother, Eunice, and your grandmother, Lois.” (2 Timothy 1:5).

   Abraham’s calling to fatherhood however went beyond his immediate family. He was to “become the father of a great nation.” (vs. 2). A nation yet to come into existence. A nation through whom God would channel his blessing to all the nations of the world. “All the families of the earth will be blessed through you.” (vs. 3). It was a calling that would take him away from his native land, his parents home, and his relatives, to a land as yet unknown to him. But the Lord’s calling was clear. “Leave your country, your relatives, and your father’s house, and go to the land I will show you.” (vs. 1).

   Just as he did for Abraham so the Lord has great plans for each of us. David rejoiced in this assurance. “Oh the joys of those who trust the LORD  ... you have done many miracles for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them. (Psalm 40:4-5).

God’s Plans For Abraham Unfolded One Step At A Time.  (Acts 7:1-4)

As the years went by Abraham must have often wondered when and how the Lord would be taking him to this new land he was to be shown. And as for being the founding father of a new nation, that seemed impossible of ever happening.

   The first step towards the fulfilment of God’s promises to him came in the context of a family move when his father Terah decided to leave Ur in the hope of finding a better place for his growing family. His first intention was to travel as far as the land of Canaan but on reaching Haran decided to settle there. At the time many people from Ur were migrating to Haran. He may have thought that the city held better business prospects for him as it was where many of the trade routes crossing through Mesopotamia intersected. The meaning of the name is ‘crossroads’.

   And so Abraham finds himself in Haran. By now he is married to Sarai. The death of one of his brothers would have left him and his one remaining brother with a feeling of responsibility to help their father in his business interests. He stays there until the Lord reveals his next step. It would not be until after his father’s death. Many years later, Stephen refers to this part of his people’s history in an address to Jewish leaders. “So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran until his father died. (Acts 7:4).

There Is Always A Purpose In Delay. (12:1-4)

Abraham must have often felt discouraged as he waited in Haran for the Lord to show him the next step. But as we discover in a New Testament reference it was  in the waiting that he learned something about patience. “For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying ‘I will certainly bless you richly, and I will multiply your descendants into countless millions. Then Abraham waited patiently and he received what God had promised.’ ” (Hebrews 6:13-15).  

   God’s delays are never denials. In them, we, like Abraham, learn to wait patiently for him to act. The Lord had something to say about this on another occasion to one of his servants. “But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place.” (Habakkuk 2:3).

Abraham Responds By Faith To The Lord’s Renewed Call. (12:4-9) 

Following the death of his father Abraham felt free to respond to God’s prompting to move on further, as his calling is renewed and confirmed to him. It may not have been easy for him to leave Haran. After the death of his father there would have been strong pressure from his brother Nahor and other members of the now greatly extended family of his father Terah, for him to stay with them to help look after the family interests, their livestock and land holdings. But in responding to God’s leading Abraham shared in family responsibilities by taking his nephew Lot with him. “So Abram departed as the LORD had instructed him, and Lot went with him.” (vs. 4).

   And once he had started out he kept on going no matter what difficulties he encountered, one step at a time, “by stages.”  (vs. 9).

   The author of Hebrews highlights Abraham’s faith in a brief summary of his response. “⁸It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as an inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. ⁹And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in a tent. And so did Isaac and Jacob, to whom God gave the same promise. ¹⁰Abraham did this because he was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.” (Hebrews 11:8-10). Brief though it is, several valuable insights are there awaiting discovery by the careful explorer.

   We find that Abraham’s faith …

     -   enabled  him to leave the known in Haran for the unknown of Canaan, the secure for what may be the
           insecure. (vs. 8).
     -   helped him to cope in a new and often hostile environment. (vs. 9). Canaanite culture was noted for its
           material prosperity, widespread literacy, a religious system featuring fertility cults, male and female
           deities, numerous myths and fables, a lack of political identity, and hostility between warring tribes
           and towards newcomers.
     -    gave him the vision to see beyond the temporal to the eternal, the fragile to the stable, the temporary
           to the permanent, the insecure to the secure, ‘a city designed and built by God.’ (vs. 10).

Returning now to the Genesis record of his life we note that Abraham made …

A Successful Beginning. (12:6-7)

And so it was that Abraham arrived safely in the land of Canaan. He and his party have been walking for many days. The road from Haran has taken them through Aleppo, Ebla, Hamath, Damascus, along the eastern side of the Jordan, and across the river to a spot near Shechem. There he sets up camp close to what was known as “the great tree” of Moreh. The meaning of the name is “the teacher’s oak”. It is significant that Abraham makes his first camp here.

   It was probably a well known spot under which religious teachers were accustomed to sit and teach. Now a new teaching has come to be made known in the land and throughout the world. He has established a forward base for the Lord as it were, a foothold in the land—a beginning, a looking forward to the time “ …when all the earth will be filled , as the waters fill the sea, with an awareness of the glory of the LORD.” (Habakkuk 2:14).

   It was here under the great tree where the tenets of the country’s religious systems were taught that Abraham built an altar for the Lord, at the very heart of a culture in which the Lord is not known. Abraham has made a good start. It has been a time of great blessing as he has followed the Lord into Canaan. The whole land lies before him for possession. But how will he come through the testings that inevitably follow the blessings? How will he find his way through the valleys after the highs of the mountain tops?

FAITH TESTED AND FOUND WANTING.(Read Chapter 12:10-20)

Months go by and still no rain. The grain withers on the stalks. Cattle struggle to survive. Famine stalks through the land. How will Abraham cope with this problem? A good question for us also to face. How do we respond to the problems that confront us almost everyday? Let’s digress for a moment and go exploring in other parts of the Scriptures to see if we can discover some strategies that others have found helpful.

Turn to one of Paul’s letters for example. (Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-18).

In this letter to the people in Corinth he writes about being confronted “on every side by troubles.” (vs. 8). How does he cope? Notice several factors in this section of his letter.

We find firstly that Paul met his problems with …

An Acceptance Of His Human Fragility. (vs. 7)

Paul speaks of the priceless treasure he has discovered and is wanting to share with others. He is referring to the truth that God has shown him concerning Christ—the “glorious light of the Good News …about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” (vs. 4). “But,” writes Paul, “this precious treasure—this light and power that now shine within us—is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies.” (vs. 7).

   The perishable containers Paul draws this word picture from are the earthenware vessels used widely at that time. Thompson[7] tells us “Most of the household utensils used by people in Bible times were made of earthenware or terracotta and would have been thicker and heavier than those in use today. Ordinary homes would have had plain brown or grey bowls, jugs and dishes. More expensive earthenware had decoration sculpted into it before it was fired, and some pots were also painted.”

   While earthenware pottery was much more lasting than wooden vessels they were nevertheless easily broken. A glancing blow would be enough to reveal the fragility of the clay pot. The first step then in coping with our problems is to remember that in our humanness we are fragile like a piece of pottery—easily shattered by bad news, prone to cracking under stress, likely to be devastated by adverse circumstances, brittle even at the best of times. Elihu reminded Job of this when he said, “I am just like you before God; I  too have been taken from clay.” (Job 33:6 NIV).

Notice a further aspect of the way in which Paul approaches his problems …

An Acknowledgement Of His Need For The Lord’s Help. (vs. 7)

Paul wants everyone to understand that the teaching ability he has, for example, is not his but comes from God. In his first letter to the Corinthians, he explains, “I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. I did not use wise and persuasive speeches, but the Holy Spirit was powerful among you. I did this so that you might trust the power of God rather than human wisdom.” (1 Corinthians 2:3-5). And now in this further letter he acknowledges the help of the Lord in his distributing the treasures of the gospel, contained as they are in fragile humanity, “So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own.” (vs. 7). As he did for Paul the Lord assures us also, “My power works best in your weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

   Of ourselves we are unable. But with the Lord’s help we are able. Troubled? Look up! “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” (Psalm 46:1). Distressed? Pray! “But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help.” (Psalm 18:6). Faced with danger? Trust the Lord! “We depend on the LORD alone to save us. Only he can help us, protecting us like a shield.” (Psalm 33:20). Feeling oppressed? Turn to the Lord! “He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed who have no one to defend them. (Psalm 72:12).

Further aspects of the way in which Paul faced his problems catch our attention as we explore further in this section of his letter.

A Refusal To Give Up. (vs. 8)

Though the difficulties he faces are many, Paul is still able to write, “… but we don’t give up and quit … We get knocked down but we get up again and keep going.” (vs. 8-9). There must have been many occasions when Paul was tempted to quit. Times when he became tired in the struggle, weary in his efforts, faltering in his endeavours—times when he thought it was all too hard.

   Understanding this prompted another writer to offer these words of encouragement to his readers, “So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs. Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong.” (Hebrews 12:12-13). And Paul in other letters to present the challenge, “So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.” (Galatians 6:9).

An Understanding Of The Nature Of The Testing. (vs. 8-10)

By his choice of words here, Paul is pointing us first of all to the psychological nature of the testing he is experiencing.

   The first word is found in the phrase, “pressed on every side.” (vs. 8). The word is θλιβω (thlibō), ‘to apply pressure.’ The meaning extends to include the idea of crowding, confining to a narrow space, to cause distress in pressure situations. The second is in the phrase ‘We are perplexed.’ (vs. 8). This is the word απορεω (aporeō) ‘to be without a way.’ The idea is that of being reduced to such a state of mind as to not know what to do. It is a picture of confusion, not knowing where to turn for help. The troubles Paul has run into are designed to generate the maximum stress, to crush his spirit, break his will, and create mental confusion.

   Paul then refers to the physical nature of his testing as he tells of the suffering his body has endured. (vs. 10). Later in his letter he writes of  being on various occasions, jailed, whipped, beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, adrift at sea, robbed, hungry and thirsty, weary and sleepless, cold and miserable. (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). But his confidence in Christ’s resurrection  and presence in his life enables him to keep going.

   As it was with Paul, understanding what is happening enables us to come through the testing without being crushed or confined by it and with our faith intact. Knowing that, “The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the broken-hearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:17-18).

Acceptance Of The Inevitability Of Persecution And Possible Death. (vs. 11-12)

Paul is aware that “... we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus …we live in the face of death …” (vs. 11-12). Towards the end of his life he reminds Timothy of the cost of discipleship when he writes, “You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord delivered me from all of it. Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:11-12).

   And Jesus himself makes it clear to his disciples that they should expect some rough treatment because of their faith when he says to them, “Do you remember what I told you? ‘A servant is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me they would listen to you. The people of the world will hate you because you belong to me, for they don’t know God who sent me.” (John 15:20-21).

A Determination To Continue In The Calling Received. (vs. 13-15) 

Paul’s calling was to preach the gospel. This was confirmed to him at the time of his conversion through an earnest Christian named Ananias. To him the Lord said, “Go and do what I say. For Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for me.” (Acts 9:15-16).

   And now many years later, having counted the cost, Paul writes, “But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, ‘I believed in God and so I speak.’ ”(vs. 13, Psalm 116:10). He then goes on to speak of his sure hope for himself and all believers. “We know that the same God who raised our Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself along with you. All of these things are for your benefit.” (vs. 14-15). The assurance that the risen Christ is making himself known through his ministry is what keeps him going.

Looking Forward To What Lies Ahead. (vs. 16-18)

The joyous expectation of “an immeasurably great glory that will last forever” (vs. 17), over-rides any feelings of sadness Paul may have in times of trouble. “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.” (vs. 18).

   Paul’s attitude demonstrates what another person wrote. “And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honour beside God’s throne in heaven.” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

We have probably explored far enough along this path to the side. Time to return to the story of Abraham’s life to see how he is handling his first real problem in the land. (Genesis 12:10-20). He had begun well, responding by faith to God’s call. But will we find him continuing along that pathway now that his faith is tested?  Sadly, no! For instead of continuing to trust the Lord during this time of famine we find him …

Trusting In His Own Wisdom. (vs. 10)

Abraham found himself in a very difficult situation, “there was a severe famine in the land.” (vs. 10). While this is a reference to a shortage of food it should not be forgotten that there is also, as was said of a later time, “not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the LORD.” (Amos 8:11).  Abraham was called not only to possess this land for the Lord but to make him known there. It is beginning to look as though, like Jonah, he might be wanting to get up and go “in the opposite direction in order to get away from the LORD.” (Jonah 1:3).

   The test that he now faced was whether or not he would believe that the Lord who brought him to this land could also provide for him there. As he looks around at the parched landscape will he find satisfaction in the Lord? Or will he look elsewhere? Will he be like Habakkuk who affirmed, “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18). In this present difficulty will he learn the lesson that Paul spoke of, “I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little … I have learned the secret of living in every situation … for I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me everything I need. (Philippians 4:11-12).

   It seems however that Abraham has not yet reached that point in his walk with the Lord. Instead of trusting the Lord he makes his decision on the basis of what he can see, something that Paul, in another context, advises against. “That is why we live by believing and not by seeing.” (2 Corinthians 5:7). He sees that people in Egypt are enjoying what appear to be good times and decides to take his family there. It would have been towards the latter part of the twelfth Dynasty of the Pharaoh’s, ca. 1991-1178 B.C. The Great Pyramid at Giza built by Cheops during the years of the fourth dynasty towered over the landscape. Abraham’s family were not the only ones then looking to Egypt for help. One of our guide books[8] tells us, “The tomb of Khnumhotep, a noble of the twelfth dynasty, at Beni Hasan has a painting of Asiatics entering Egypt to get food. It was probably during this period that Abram visited Egypt for the same purpose.” The Egyptians were not a backward people. Encarta Encyclopaedia[9] informs us, “A vigorous renaissance of culture took place under the Theban kings. The architecture, art, and jewelry of the period reveal an extraordinary delicacy of design, and the time was considered the golden age of Egyptian literature.” We also read[10] of the development of mineral deposits in those years. “During the twelfth Dynasty, new and larger copper mines were worked at Sarabit el-Khadem in Sinai.”

   It is no wonder that people at that time were attracted to Egypt. But the foolishness of going to Egypt for help instead of trusting in their Lord God was something the people of Israel came to realise later. Egypt became for God’s people symbolic of the help expected from what may be called worldly wisdom. Paul found that no real help was to be found in the philosophies of those who do not know the Lord. He writes, “So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made them all look foolish and has shown their wisdom to be useless nonsense.” (1 Corinthians 1:20-21).

   In fairness to Abraham however it should be remembered that he did not have an Isaiah to warn him that trusting in his own wisdom was not the way to go. “Destruction is certain for those who look to Egypt for help, trusting their cavalry and chariots instead of looking to the LORD the Holy One of Israel.” (Isaiah 31:1). Nor did he have a Solomon to advise him. It was he who said, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5).

   And so following his own understanding he heads off to Egypt expecting to find the solution to his problems there. But on the way he becomes anxious. The way that he has taken is not bringing him any peace of mind. Instead he is …

Overcome By Fear. (vs. 11-12)

As Abraham follows his own way for solving his problem a fearful scene fills his thoughts. “The Egyptians will kill me, allowing the king to add Sarai to his harem of women,” he thinks. If only Abraham had stayed where he was meant to be! Trusting the Lord does not produce fear like this. As Paul reminded Timothy, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and  timidity, but of power, love, and self discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7). Each step along his chosen way takes Abraham further and further away from the Lord. As he comes closer and closer to Egypt in this fearful state of mind …

A Devious Plan Is Formulated. (vs. 13)

Abraham works out a scheme to handle the imagined scenario of his fears. Have Sarai pretend that she is his sister. This was half true but by withholding the other half it became a lie. (cf. 20:11-12). He thinks that this half-truth will spare his life. But the plan shows little regard for his wife. He seems prepared to allow her integrity to be compromised in order to protect his, or what may be left of it. Griffith Thomas[11] writes, “How strange this is! He had journeyed all the way from Ur of the Chaldees, and yet could not trust God with his wife or his own life. How small, great people can be! How weak, strong men can be! How bad, good people can be!”

The Plan Seems To Have Worked. (vs. 14-16)

The palace officials tell the king of the arrival of a woman of beauty, the sister, they have been told, of a man of some standing just arrived from Canaan. As her husband’s devious plan allows, Sarai is taken into the king’s harem. But now, as he always does,

The Lord Overrules. (vs. 17-20)

Solomon includes a saying to this effect among his many proverbs. “You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.” (Proverbs 19:21). The Lord will not allow his purpose in sending Abraham to Canaan to be thwarted. He now acts to get Abraham back on track. In the wake of a serious illness that sweeps through the palace the truth is revealed to Pharaoh. “So Pharaoh called for Abram and accused him sharply. ‘What is this you have done to me?’ he demanded. ‘Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? Why were you willing to let me marry her, saying she was your sister? Here is your wife! Take her and be gone!’ ” (vs. 18-19).

   In his indignant response to the trick played upon him it becomes obvious that the moral standards of this king who does not know the Lord are higher than Abraham’s at this time.

   As Abraham leaves Egypt in disgrace he has much to think about. What lessons has he learned from the experience? Several that are meaningful for us also, leap out of the story—how fragile our humanity, how devious our thinking can be, how suspect the motives, shallow our faith, how deep our sinfulness, how sudden the onset of fear. And perhaps most meaningful of all—how wonderful the grace of God. He retraces his steps under the gracious protection of his God, albeit in the form of an Egyptian armed escort, having lost nothing, except his pride and confidence in his own ability to handle problems.

   Peter’s comment is relevant here. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5 NIV).

In our next lesson we will find Abraham back in the place he was meant to be.