Monday: The Temptation of Egypt
Read Genesis 12:10-20. Why did Abram leave the Promised Land to go to Egypt? How did the pharaoh behave in comparison to Abram?
Ironically, Abram, who had just arrived in the Promised Land, decides to leave it for Egypt because “there was a famine in the land” (Genesis 12:10, NKJV). Evidence of people from Canaan going into Egypt in times of famine is well attested in ancient Egyptian texts. In the Egyptian teaching of Merikare, a text composed during the period of the Middle Kingdom (2060-1700 B.C.), people coming from Canaan are identified as “miserable Asiatic” (aamu) and described as “wretched … short of water … he does not dwell on one place, food propels his legs.” — Miriam Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Literature, Volume I: The Old and Middle Kingdoms (Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1973), Pages 103, 104.
Image © Krieg Barrie from GoodSalt.com
The temptation of Egypt was often a problem for the ancient Israelites (Numbers 14:3, Jeremiah 2:18). Egypt, thus, became a symbol of humans trusting in humans rather than in God (2 Kings 18:21; Isaiah 36:6, Isaiah 36:9). In Egypt, where water could be seen on a daily basis, faith was not necessary, for the promise of the land was immediately visible. Compared to the land of famine, Egypt sounded like a good place to be, despite what God had said to him.
The Abram who now leaves Canaan contrasts with the Abram who left Ur. Before, Abram was portrayed as a man of faith who left Ur in response to God’s call; now, Abram leaves the Promised Land by himself, of his own volition. Before, Abram relied on God; now he behaves like a manipulative and unethical politician who counts only on himself. “During his stay in Egypt, Abraham gave evidence that he was not free from human weakness and imperfection. In concealing the fact that Sarah was his wife, he betrayed a distrust of the divine care, a lack of that lofty faith and courage so often and nobly exemplified in his life.” — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 130.
What we see here, then, is how even a great man of God can make a mistake and yet not be forsaken by God. When the New Testament talks about Abraham as an example of salvation by grace, it means just that — grace. Because, if it weren’t by grace, Abraham, like all of us, would have had no hope.
| What should this story teach us about how easy it is, even for faithful Christians, to stray from the correct path? Why is disobedience never a good choice? |
(18)
Disobedience has a consequence, as everything else in this fallen planet! I see this in my own life, or in anyone around me. Here, I suffer because of my choices and because of sin in the world. What can make a difference is the trust that I put in the Lord! Because He is the only One Who can turn suffering into quality of character!
As we learn the character of God through our trials, we find the way to peace of mind is love.
We now see a pattern (motif) appearing in scripture of God's plan for children in his image (godly character /motivation) and those who oppose this from happening.
Adam Eve children / opposition / sold into slavery to sin.
Abram Sara / opposition / sold into slavery in Egypt (sin)
Moses covenant / opposition / exiles (sin) / completion in Jesus
Jesus covenant / opposition / judgement / freedom in the kingdom of the Son of his love. 2 Corinthians 5;16-21, Ephesians all chapter 1, Colossians 1:26-28, Revelation 22:10-21
Brothers and sisters, we are not gong back to shadows, a garden, we are going to a new creation of immortality.
Hebrews 11:8-16, Revelation all chapter 21.
The LORD bless you and protect you!
The LORD deal kindly and graciously with you!
The LORD bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
Numbers 6:24-26
How do you respond to Abraham's 'slip ups'? Do you feel compassion for him? Can you relate to being in situations that lead you to unfortunately 'relapse' into leaning on your own understanding? Or are you concerned that this may lead to 'excusing sin'? What did Paul suggest was a "mature view" in situations like this? See Philippians 3:12-15.
Genesis 12:10 indicates that the famine was severe. For someone with large herds of animals (like Abram) this would be economically and socially devastating. Remember, he had hundreds of people in his group for whom he was responsible.
Nowhere in chapter 12 does it imply that he was disobedient by moving his group to Egypt until the famine ended. What he is chided for is misrepresenting his wife as his sister. The reason for this is because it was through Sarai that Abram’s heir would be born. Abram did not trust God to protect him and Sarai to deliver on the promise and let his assumptions about the situation dictate his actions instead of his faith in God’s promise.
Yet in spite of this, God not only delivers Abram and Sarai, but he materially blesses them. God is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” as he works in our lives despite our lack of faith in his promise. He has big plans for us—more than we can ask or think—but it is our lack of faith that limits his blessing and action.
Amen ..👍🙏
And also the changing of his *name* to Abraham AFTER the Egypt episode, Father of a multitude of nations, said it all !
Galatians 3:2-9;14, A FAITH that WORKS by the SPIRT!
God's NAME changing in scripture is insightful !
Matthew 1:23/Isaiah 7:14, Revelation 3:12, 2:17
New Office or Duty or appointment.
Amen 🙏
Was it wrong to go to Egypt? Abram had to feed his family. As far as we know, Egypt was not yet a place that God's people were being told to avoid. Is it wrong to care about our physical circumstances and make choices for the comfort and security of ourselves and our family? I'm going to answer "yes" and "no". It's okay to search for food, but not if that causes us to forget about God (Matt. 4:4).
God had led Abram into Canaan. Then, soon after he arrived, there was famine. Abram probably expected fertile fields and much food and water, as God had promised this land to him and to a large nation that was to come from him (Gen 12:2,7). It seems pretty clear that Abram saw a problem in his eyes and went about solving it in his own way. Did he ask God to provide and wait for His sure leading? We don't read that God had told Abram to leave Canaan due to famine, in fact we see that God led Abram back to Canaan after the family was thrown out of Egypt (Gen 13:12). The first recorded words of Abram are words that show he wasn't consulting God on this plan (Gen. 12:11-13). God never is behind half-truths (Gen. 20:12) or putting self first (Eph. 5:25). Abram ended up surrounded by riches as a reward for his "unfaith" (was the servant Hagar one of Pharaoh's gifts? Gen.12:16), while Sarai sat in a harem probably feeling used as an object, treated that way by both her husband and Pharaoh.
Doesn't it seem that God specifically allows famine to come right after a big faith test and an obedient response on our part? (James 1:2-4,12; 1 Peter 4:12; Prov. 17:3) I'm thinking of Elijah and how he showed a mighty demonstration of trust in God on a mountain top (1 Kings 18:22,24,36-39), and the very next day raced off ahead of God, wishing to die (1 Kings 19:3-8). Did Elijah forget that his personal security mattered to God? Look at Moses who in a moment of weakness converted trust in God to trust in self (Num. 20:10). See Jesus who after a great show of faith in getting baptized and being proclaimed publicly by the Father as a success, is immediately whisked off to a dry desert to be tempted (Mark 1:11-13; Heb. 5:8-10).
Faith is about trusting God in the famine and not letting the famine creep into our hearts (Ps. 62:8). Faith isn't faith until it's tested (1 Peter 1:7 NLT). It's about relying on God's faithful character in the midst of a mission that is getting difficult. Human need wearies me, but it seems to energize God (1 Kings 18:46 NET). Can I depend on that? Do I really believe that I live not in a closed system, but in a duality of a natural world and supernatural world where a supernatural God is all about personal relationship with me, providence, mercy, grace, keeping promises, protection, showing His character through my life's story?
Here's a personal example: I believe God is leading me to move in with my elderly Mom. But I question it each time a new difficulty arises. These difficulties are all matters of personal comfort. And they make me question, "Is this really God's will?" God is being very patient with me. I don't want to be the hero. I want to trust God and consult Him as the foundation of everything. He knows my needs.
Just wanted to affirm and express appreciation for your contribution today in particular and your contributions in general.
Your statement "Faith isn't faith until it's tested (1 Peter 1:7 NLT)" is so very true.
I join with others in upholding you in prayer that God guide you in your particular current faith-stretching experience that you mentioned.
Thank you so much, dear brother Phil! 🙏 Thank you for your posts, too!
I think I understand what you are getting at ultimately, but what was it if “Faith isn’t faith until it’s tested”? Isn’t it the faith, pre-trial, that is proved genuine by trials, as in Job’s situation? The righteousness ascribed to Job was such only through faith in God. God’s Providence brings us into circumstances where our faith is exercised leading to growth in faith and the knowledge of God so that we come to know His will more and more clearly, to walk worthy of His high calling pleasing Him in all things, our highest aim.
Sarai was Abraham's sister indeed. Abraham might have been thinking around that line when he decided to put out that lie. At least, he had a justification for his sin. Any 'intelligent' sinner can put a good justification. And the problem is, we can only look in our own eyes when we justify sins.