Genesis 12:10-20
Abram in Egypt
10 Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land. 11 And it came to pass, when he was close to entering Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “Indeed I know that you are a woman of beautiful countenance. 12 Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you.”
14 So it was, when Abram came into Egypt, that the Egyptians saw the woman, that she was very beautiful. 15 The princes of Pharaoh also saw her and commended her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken to Pharaoh’s house. 16 He treated Abram well for her sake. He had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male and female servants, female donkeys, and camels.
17 But the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18 And 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’? I might have taken her as my wife. Now therefore, here is your wife; take her and go your way.” 20 So Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they sent him away, with his wife and all that he had.
Abram thought he had to be deceptive with the Egyptian princes and Pharaoh, but ended up causing unsafe consequences for those he and Sarai deceived. Instead of trusting God for his wife’s safety from the Egyptians because of her great beauty, he lied because he imagined it would be safer for him to stay alive and she would be treated better. Such is the reasoning of fallen men and women. The unintended consequences could have led to God’s wrath of judgment on Pharaoh if he had married her who was already married to Abram. When the deceived uncovered the truth, he was incensed against Abram but still let him live and keep all the riches given him for her sake as he was wooing Sarai. Yes, Abram succeeded in saving himself from being taken out of the way for the king to have his wife whom he pretended was only his sister, but at what moral price? Was it worth deceiving the Pharaoh to protect himself and gain riches when he could have trusted the LORD whom he had worshipped and trusted before for all he really needed? The Pharaoh was spared the worst of the plagues on him and his household because he did not yet take Sarai as a wife, but there was suffering and a close brush with judgment and death due to the deception. It is always best to trust the LORD and not lean on our understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6) and rationalizing of actions to protect ourselves at the expense of others because of our fear of suffering. We should also consider the suffering deception causes others as Abram failed to consider. Nothing is worth lying to protect yourself and gain prosperity at the expense of another in the eyes of the Lord. Deception is never true safety, security, or gain. Godliness with contentment (1 Timothy 6:6) is the only true and great gain as treasure (Matthew 6:19-20, 21) laid up in heaven. Love does not harm your neighbor (Romans 13:10) and is the fulfillment of the second greatest commandment (Luke 10:27) to love. Safety and soul prosperity is found in living and loving as God’s word shows us in Christ.
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