Moral Dilemmas - Part I
Genesis 12:10-20
Genesis 12 provides the account of Abram’s journeys to Egypt. God promised land to Abram and to his seed, but a famine resulted in Abram leaving the promised land. Abram went to Egypt to take refuge there until the famine had passed. The occurrence of the famine was to prove the faith and obedience of Abram.
The moral dilemma of journeying to Egypt is indicated by Abram’s fear that the Egyptians would be taken with the beauty of Sarai and kill him. The behavior of the Egyptians was certainly cause for a moral dilemma (Gen 19). Knowing they were a lustful people, Abram feared he would be murdered as Sarai’s husband, which would mean it would be free and lawful for one of the Egyptians to marry her. Abram’s resolution of the dilemma was for Sarai to say that she was his sister. There is a certain degree of truth in the statement since Sarai was his half-sister (11:29). However, the intent of Abram was to conceal truth and to deceive the Egyptians.
Based on the promise of 12:1-3, Abram should have trusted God to protect and care for him. One can certainly understand Abram’s fear but as a result of falling into unbelief, his actions were not just. It is probable that Abram did not understand the actual outworking and fulfillment of the promise that God had made with him. However, it was absolutely uncertain how Abram expected to keep his honor and possession of Sarai by stating that she was his sister. Being mindful of the promise of God, it would have been easier in Egypt for Abram to acknowledge Sarai as his wife.
The problem with Abram’s actions is that he should have never journeyed to Egypt. Though there was a famine in the land of promise, God could have supplied his needs (especially in light of the covenant with him). However, once in Egypt, Abram should have been mindful to not compromise his faithfulness to God. God could have protected Abram in Egypt so that Abram did not need to leave with the rebuke of Pharoah.
God had promised to raise a nation through Abram that would bring blessing to the world. Even though he acted in deception, God graciously protected the promise. The unjust actions of Abram could not deliver him from his deceptive actions. The account demonstrates that lack of justice is never a means to accomplish justice.
Even though Abram prospered from his injustice, his acquired riches from Egypt would provide continual problems with Lot, and then with Hagar. The esteem of God should be the most treasured possession of any believer. When the justice of God was not sought by Abram, the riches he acquired where a diversion from the glory of God.
Genesis 12 provides the account of Abram’s journeys to Egypt. God promised land to Abram and to his seed, but a famine resulted in Abram leaving the promised land. Abram went to Egypt to take refuge there until the famine had passed. The occurrence of the famine was to prove the faith and obedience of Abram.
The moral dilemma of journeying to Egypt is indicated by Abram’s fear that the Egyptians would be taken with the beauty of Sarai and kill him. The behavior of the Egyptians was certainly cause for a moral dilemma (Gen 19). Knowing they were a lustful people, Abram feared he would be murdered as Sarai’s husband, which would mean it would be free and lawful for one of the Egyptians to marry her. Abram’s resolution of the dilemma was for Sarai to say that she was his sister. There is a certain degree of truth in the statement since Sarai was his half-sister (11:29). However, the intent of Abram was to conceal truth and to deceive the Egyptians.
Based on the promise of 12:1-3, Abram should have trusted God to protect and care for him. One can certainly understand Abram’s fear but as a result of falling into unbelief, his actions were not just. It is probable that Abram did not understand the actual outworking and fulfillment of the promise that God had made with him. However, it was absolutely uncertain how Abram expected to keep his honor and possession of Sarai by stating that she was his sister. Being mindful of the promise of God, it would have been easier in Egypt for Abram to acknowledge Sarai as his wife.
The problem with Abram’s actions is that he should have never journeyed to Egypt. Though there was a famine in the land of promise, God could have supplied his needs (especially in light of the covenant with him). However, once in Egypt, Abram should have been mindful to not compromise his faithfulness to God. God could have protected Abram in Egypt so that Abram did not need to leave with the rebuke of Pharoah.
God had promised to raise a nation through Abram that would bring blessing to the world. Even though he acted in deception, God graciously protected the promise. The unjust actions of Abram could not deliver him from his deceptive actions. The account demonstrates that lack of justice is never a means to accomplish justice.
Even though Abram prospered from his injustice, his acquired riches from Egypt would provide continual problems with Lot, and then with Hagar. The esteem of God should be the most treasured possession of any believer. When the justice of God was not sought by Abram, the riches he acquired where a diversion from the glory of God.
posted by orthopodeo | 11:04 PM
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