Abram Chickens Out

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. 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. Genesis 12:10-17

Steps 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12

Abram had to go to Egypt because of a famine. God had given him a beautiful wife. After thinking about it he concluded that the Egyptians would try to kill him to take his wife so he told his wife to say she was his sister, which was half true. Sarai was Abram’s half sister but she was also his wife. Abram did not trust God to watch over him so he lied to protect himself. The Egyptians took her to be the wife of the Egyptian king and God interceded to protect them both. God confronted Abram about his lying and showed that He could watch over them.

Prayer for Today: God, You know we would do most anything to protect ourselves from harm or danger. Help us to learn from Abram that You can protect us. Help us to trust in You more than our manipulative ways. Thank You for Your love and patience with us.