Abraham in Egypt

Genesis 12:10—20; 13:1—4

 Changes are a fact of life, both in our natural lives but also in our spiritual lives.  Changes are constant, and changes can happen suddenly.  It’s hard to believe that Abram, an example of faith and faithful living, gave into the first temptation to come his way in the Promised Land.  At our best and strongest moments we are in danger of falling, if not kept by the power of God through faith. 

1.  The test. 

We are told that there was a great famine in the land.  Imagine, a famine in the Promised Land—the land that was given to Abram.  But if faith is to grow and become strong, it must be tested.  1 Peter 1:7 tells us as much.  While fertile valleys are pleasing to eye, faith must lay hold on the things that are unseen.  It is often in the place of our greatest blessings where the greatest trials are experienced.  Trials make the promise sweet, and there is no discipline of the soul without them. 

2.  The failure. 

Verse 10 succinctly states Abram’s great failure:  he left the Promised Land for Egypt.  Had God failed Abram somehow?  Of course not, but it must have seemed to Abram that he had because Abram had trusted his experience more than God’s Word.  Or to put it another way, Abram had more faith in God’s blessing than in God Himself.  This is something God will not allow; our faith must rest not rest on His gifts, but on God Himself.  Consider what the first step toward Egypt led to: 

1. It led to fear, verse 12.  Now Abram was afraid they would take his life.  His courage for God seemed to have dried up.  None are as weak as Christians who have turned from the life of faith.
2. It led to selfishness, verses 11 and 12.  Abram was not more concerned about his own safety that with the honor of his wife.  When a man turns away from God, his interest is sure to be turned inward.
3. It led to hypocrisy, verse 13.  He pretended to be something he was not, the brother of Sarai.  This was a lie and a deliberate misrepresentation.  This is the next step of the backslider:  pretending not to be what he really is.
4. It led to an open rebuke, verse 18.  It is sad when a child of God has to be warned and corrected by a man of the world.
5. It led to trouble upon others, verse 17.  God’s judgment affected not only Abram, but it overflowed on those around him.  Instead of pointing other to Christ, the backslider causes trouble wherever he goes.

3.  The restoration. 

The first four verses of chapter 13 tell us when Abram left Egypt to return to Canaan, the first place he stopped at was where he had built his altar previously.  Abram did not build any altars in Egypt.  There can be no fellowship with God while we walk by sight and not by faith. 

The only remedy for one who has strayed from Christ is to return to the His Altar:  the Cross.  This is the place of sacrifice, forgiveness, communion, and consecration.  There was no happiness or joy or restoration for the prodigal son until he came back to the place he left.  If we return Christ, He will restore us and heal us.