We depend on God, God defends us

Genesis 12:10 - 20

    ¹⁰ Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. 

Here, we can know that the life in God is not trouble-free. ‘for a while’ shows Abram didn’t move to Egypt permanently. Abram looked for the relief from the severe famine. Severe famine is life-threatening. In such situation, food is more precious than anything else. Abram had to go to Egypt for survival.

¹¹ As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. ¹² When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. ¹³ Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.”

Here, we can know Sarai was a very beautiful woman (11, 14) and it was dangerous for Abram to enter Egypt with her (12). So, Abram planned to hide the fact that Sarai was his wife. He decided to deceive them as if she was just his sister (13).

Here we can know entering Egypt was the only option for Abram to survive. Otherwise Abram could have chosen other options that he wouldn’t have to risk his life or marriage.

In this situation, it was shown that Abram did not have enough power to protect his right. The real problem was that unbelievers (Egyptians) wouldn’t respect his right. He avoided conflict with Egyptians and let God deal with them.

   ¹⁴ When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very beautiful woman. ¹⁵ And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace.

Abram's prediction came to reality.

¹⁶ He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.

   ¹⁷ But the LORD inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai. ¹⁸ So Pharaoh summoned Abram. “What have you done to me?” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? ¹⁹ Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!” ²⁰ Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had.

Abram lost his wife temporarily. God intervened & rescued Abram from his trouble. We can see God is more powerful than a powerful man Pharaoh.

Pharaoh rebuked Abram for his lie, which made Pharaoh collide with God.

In summary, life in God is not trouble-free but God with us is sufficient & faithful.