Genesis 12:10-20 Trusting God’s invisible hand at the crossroads of life
Genesis 12:10-20
Now there was a famine in the land; so Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. 11 It came about when he came near to Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman; 12 and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Please say that you are my sister so that it may go well with me because of you, and that I may live on account of you.” 14 It came about when Abram came into Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15 Pharaoh’s officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. 16 Therefore he treated Abram well for her sake; and gave him sheep and oxen and donkeys and male and female servants and female donkeys and camels.
17 But the Lord struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18 Then Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife, take her and go.” 20 Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they escorted him away, with his wife and all that belonged to him.
Background
The famine is instrumental in leading God’s covenant people into Egypt so as to foster the notion of interdependency with the people of the world; it reinforces the unchanging design that the world does not consist of Israel alone. And God’s favour does not warrant self-sufficiency even among the chosen. The brief stint in Egypt works to Abram’s benefit in that it exposes Abram’s inadequacies and cowardice. Abram’s presumption concerning the Egyptians is turned on its head when Abram is clearly the guilty one. Nevertheless, God’s timely intervention causes Abram to emerge not only richer but wiser on account of his misadventure. Today’s devotion teaches us to set our hearts aright, and to trust His invisible hand at the crossroads of life.
Observation
Now there was a famine in the land; so Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there…
Famine, in the history of Israel is a common occurrence that compels the Patriarchs to leave Canaan at different times (see Genesis 26:1, 47:4, Ruth 1:1). Despite Canaan being the Promised Land, the pristine land, the home designate for God’s chosen race, it is nonetheless not all rosy. The inconsistent rainfall subject its inhabitants to constant food shortages and Egypt has been their natural refuge for centuries. Here, Abram seeks sanctuary in Egypt indefinitely until the famine is over. Providentially, God has in mind to inculcate within His chosen Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) the essentiality of interdependency with the rest of the world.
Please say that you are my sister so that it may go well with me because of you, and that I may live on account of you.
Seeking refuge in Egypt from the ominous famine at the same time subjects his family to inherent risks. Apparently, Abram harbours a dim impression of the Egyptians. Anticipating a cold blooded treatment from the Egyptians he conceives a plan of self-preservation which Sarai concurs. Being beautiful (even at 65 years) and a wife to Abram, she takes it upon herself to protect her husband at all cost. The plan involves Abram disguising himself as Sarai’s brother so that they may not kill him should anyone decide to take Sarai by force.
As anticipated, the Egyptians notice Sarai’s beauty but did not foresee report of a beautiful and unbetrothed woman reaching the Pharaoh. She is formally betrothed to the Pharaoh as Abram helplessly looks on: the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. Abram, being Sarai’s “brother” is given lavish gifts and bride money at the betrothal. One can surely understand Abram’s anxiety of being caught between the loss of Sarai and his own life.
But the Lord struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.
God’s timely intervention sees Pharaoh and his house reeling from strange plagues on account of Sarai. The text is silent as to how the Pharaoh comes to realise Abram’s true identity. Nevertheless, Abram is summoned before Pharaoh and given a haranguing. The Pharaoh’s grievances are obvious: “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife?” Apparently, the Pharaoh’s righteousness stands in stark contrast with Abram’s faithlessness. Considering Abram’s fear of death, his deception has unwittingly involved the Pharaoh in adultery and threatens God’s salvation plan for Abram and Sarai. Abram is swiftly sent off: “Now then, here is your wife, take her and go.” For what is most pressing for the Pharaoh and his house is to immediately rid themselves of the troublemaker.
Truth
When God seems silent, trust His invisible hand.
Abram seeks refuge in Egypt out of necessity and there is nothing in the text to suggest God’s displeasure in this matter. Even though God’s silence has inevitably left Abram to his own devices, God’s invisible hand directs his every step. The psalmist says,
The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall,
for the Lord holds them by the hand. Psalms 37:23-24
The bible does not fail in supplying ample evidences of God’s invisible hand directing the godly without their explicit awareness. The apostle Paul says concerning God’s implicit directives towards those who fear Him, “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13). In the book of Esther, God is present in the decisions of the godly as well as the ungodly even though God is not in the picture. However, throughout the narrative, the unseen God is actively directing every scene and effectively determining their outcomes. As we know it, the righteous triumph over evil with great profit.
Having said, a clear understanding of God’s will does not necessarily translate into one walking in it. Many understand His will but do not walk in it either because of fear or simply because their priorities differ. During Jesus’s time, the 5000 make their decision to pursue their personal desires even after eating the few loaves that multiplies from the hand of Jesus. People venture into adulterous relationships against the law thinking they can contain it. People testing the extent of God’s patience by withholding their tithes and gifts to the poor.
The key to walking in God’s will and experiencing His blessings is not knowledge (of His will) but GODLINESS. Abram goes to Egypt even though the text does not show him receiving divine directives to do so. Abram, in the face of imminent death of his family and livestock, common sense becomes his guide. Because Abram’s heart does not condemn him (see 1 John 3:21-22), he trusts God to be implicitly present throughout his decision making process.
As believers, we must be humble and not think that we have all the answers.
God uses the famine to inculcate within God’s chosen people humility and a sense of interdependence with the rest of the world. Being God’s covenant people does not warrant self-sufficiency as it only breeds pride and superiority. Abram presumes the Egyptians as being cold blooded and barbaric only to realise they are more righteous than he is. Not only do the Egyptians forgive him, they are generous in sending him away with great gifts. In Israel’s history, God has in several occasions use other nations to preserve Israel (see Genesis 46, Isaiah 45:1-4). And the apostle Paul observes the gentiles as being more righteous than some churchgoers (see 1 Corinthians 5:1). Paul also acknowledges that the non-believers do the things written in the law even though they do not possess God’s written law. Hence, their actions are evidences of God’s law written in their hearts and conscience (Romans 2:14); “for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified” (Romans 2:13).
Many churchgoers who are selective in doing God’s will, being lukewarm to the things of the Spirit audaciously assume a position of moral superiority before non-believers. They suppose possessing the knowledge of salvation entitles them to unconditional favour and salvation. Sadly, such pose an existential threat to the image of Christianity and the true spirit of Christ. Having said, some of my non-Christian friends whom are loyal, unassuming and helpful prefer to watch in silence while churches quarrel over doctrine and slinging mud at each other.
As believers, we must humble ourselves and journey with people of other faiths in the quest to build a cohesive community. In so doing, we inspire one another towards greater works of the truth. With the help of the Spirit, we will eventually lead the world to the fuller knowledge of Christ who is the very embodiment of truth.
Believers must push at the boundaries of possibilities not fearing the unknown or the threat of failure.
Abram pushes at the boundaries of possibilities when he leaves his father’s house for Canaan. He is not about to shrink back from venturing out of Canaan at the time of severe famine. Not fearing the unknown, he ventures into Egypt trusting God to deliver him from evil. Unforeseen to Abram, his clever stratagem of self-preservation back fires sending his wife deep into the harem of Pharaoh. Even as helpless and unbecoming as he is, notwithstanding his failure to protect his wife, he comes away richer and wiser. It is Abram’s singular distinctive that saves the day: his faith in God. Abram’s misadventure so early in his pilgrimage attests not only to his mediocrity but more importantly to God’s unfailing protection and providence towards His saints. The psalmist says,
Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
To deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine. Psalm 33:18-19
Therefore, believers in deciding to venture out, must never fear our own inadequacies but entrust the unknown to a known God. The unknown is fearful and threatening only to those who are not accustomed to walking alongside God and hearing His voice. Many churchgoers lose themselves at the crossroads of life in need of prophetic guidance because they are used to living life without it. Even when a timely word is given to them, they cringe at the thought of the dangers and risks that may come. The classic and tragic ending to Moses’ generation speaks of their impotence at the gates of the Promised Land where they shrink back in spite of the divine promises and fresh testimonies of cosmic powers against the Egyptians.
It is important that believers be confident of God’s unfailing providence in all our endeavours. However, we must be consistent in hearing God’s voice through the written word before we can be sensitised to the spoken word of God. In doing so, fear and uncertainties disappear at the hearing of God’s word. Abram’s venture is not a miscalculation; in spite of his failures, he comes away with great profit and wisdom.
Application
Are you persistently on a problem solving mode? Your mindset and habits have given you no peace because there is no such thing as a perfect solution in this world. The only source of peace and safety is a mind that is steadfast in God and His word. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Be steadfast in reading the word daily and in emulating the life of Jesus Christ. For Christ has overcome the world having been promoted to the highest station in the universe.
Are you standing at the crossroads of life? And you are about to make a financial decision or a decision concerning a relationship or a job opening? Focus on godliness by pursuing the will of God as opposed to the possible benefits that may come. When you have set your future with God, not seeking your own will but His, His invisible hand will lead you into His blessed will.
Do you perceive non-believers as being inferior in their knowledge of the truth? Do not judge a person by what he knows, but rather by what he does. Let our aim be to emulate the truth as seen in the lifestyle of Christ: His diligence towards daily tasks, His passionate service towards every human being, and His hunger to know God.
Dear Lord, I thank you for guiding and protecting me even in my follies. Create in me humility and open my eyes to the wisdom of a child, a person of seeming low repute and the people close to me. Embolden me to the possibilities of life amidst uncertainties and bad reports. Bless me richly so that I may be a blessing to the world. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.