We did it... whose way?
Genesis 12v10-20
INTRODUCTION
A song recorded by Frank Sinatra sums up life for many. It says, “I’ve travelled each and every highway… and more, much more than this I did it my way.” Last week, we saw how Abram was blessed because he did it God’s way. He was sensitive to God’s call, submissive to God’s call, and secure in God’s call. In Genesis 12:10-20, we now see Abram doing it his way. This leads to our first point…
DOING IT OUR WAY (vs.10-13)
God’s plan for Abram
In Genesis 12:1-9, The Lord gave Abram two promises: he would live in Canaan and become the father of a great nation. In vs.10-13, Abram is about to test both these promises. His decision here could have affected God’s plan for us all. It is crucial, therefore, to see what happened. Verse 10 says, “There was famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while.”
God’s way and our way
Egypt was not forbidden territory (God’s people would be sent there later), but as Derek Kidner says, “All the indications are that Abram did not stop to enquire. He went on his own initiative, taking everything into account but God.” What Abram should have done, says F B Meyer, is to trust God saying, “Lord, you brought me here now please provide for me and my family.”
Verses 11-13 tell us that as Abram was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai, “I know you are a beautiful woman. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.” There was some truth in this because Sarai was the daughter of Abram’s father, but not of his mother. In other words, she was a half-sister (Genesis 20:12). This was half a truth, therefore, and thus a deceptive lie. The truth is that Sarai was his wife and Abram should have protected her. Abram was more concerned about himself than he was about his wife. Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
An alliance with the world
The expression, “Went down to Egypt” in v10 is sometimes used figuratively for having an alliance with the world. Perhaps reflecting on this incident, Isaiah 31:1 says, “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help… but do not seek help from the Lord.” In Egypt, Abram had material possessions, but no spiritual blessing. There were no altars, no walk with God, and no affirmation of God’s promise. Eventually, God uses Pharaoh to speak to Abram, and this is always an ominous sign. This leads to a further point in vs.14-16…
DOING IT THEIR WAY (vs.14-16)
Inner beauty traded
Genesis 12:14-16 says, “When Abram came to Egypt, they saw that Sarai was very beautiful. When Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. Pharaoh treated Abram well for her sake, and he acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, menservants and maidservants, and camels.”
Sarai’s submission
Meanwhile, Sarai was in Pharaoh’s harem. This seemed to be acceptable in Egypt and to Abram, but not before God. Abram traded physical beauty for inner beauty. Perhaps reflecting on this, 1 Peter 3:3-6 says, “Our beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair, gold jewellery, and fine clothes. Instead, it should come from the inner self—the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. This is the way, the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.”
Prosperity through deceit
In Egypt, everything seemed to be going well for Abram, but his spiritual life was being eroded along with the chances of having an heir. Sin and deceit can lead to earthly prosperity but there are no rewards with God. Proverbs 16:25 says there is a way that seems right, but it leads to death. Jesus said, “What good is it if we gain the whole world, and yet lose our soul?” This leads to a further point…
DOING IT GOD’S WAY (vs.17-20)
The Lord’s will be done
Genesis 12:17 says, “The Lord brought plagues on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife.” This is the first time the covenant name appears in the passage. In his mercy, Yahweh steps in to ensure that his purpose is fulfilled. To Abram’s shame, Pharaoh responded and submitted to God’s will. In v18, Pharaoh said to Abram, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife?” At the end of v19, Pharaoh said to Abram, “Here… wife… take… go” (four words in Hebrew).
The Lord remembers his covenant
Though Abram acted outside of God’s will, the Lord did not break his promise. Psalm 105:8-15 says, “The Lord remembers his covenant forever… the covenant he made with Abraham… to give the land of Canaan as the portion he will inherit… He allowed no one to oppress him. For his sake, he rebuked kings saying, “Do not touch my anointed one.” In God’s providence, Pharaoh did not touch the Lord’s anointed.
The Lord directs our steps
We may do things our way, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. Proverbs 16:9 says we make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. How many times has God stopped us from doing it our way? Genesis 13:1-4 says, “Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev. From here, he went back to Bethel where his tent had been earlier, and where he had built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the Lord.” He was back where he started… doing it God’s way.
Bernard Cartledge