Genesis 12:10-20
Famine and a Crisis of Faith
Avram’s “Wife-Sister” Plan
“In the ancient Near East there was a well-known socio-legal institution of ‘fratriarchy’ that existed over a long period of time. Where there is no father, the brother assumes legal guardianship of his sister, particularly with respect to obligations and responsibilities in arranging marriage on her behalf. Therefore, whoever wished to take Sarai to wife would have to negotiate with her ‘brother.’ In this way, Abram could gain time to plan escape. Of course, this went awry when the Egyptian turned out to be Pharaoh himself.” —Sarna, Nahum M. (2001). The JPS Torah Commentary: Genesis. Jewish Publication Society. 95.
Avram the Snake
Genesis 12:14-19
Implications of These Analogies
God’s Promise and God’s Justice
“[Abram’s behavior] would appear to put Yahweh in somewhat of a bind … Yahweh must decide whether and how to take Abram’s side when problems arise with others—even when the conflict arises from Abram’s less-than-honest behavior. Pharaoh treats Abram honorably and generously, but Yahweh evidently decides that having a human friend in a wicked world requires a thoroughgoing commitment to the welfare of that individual, even when it works against the welfare of others. Standing with someone inevitably leads to standing against someone else. Yahweh, therefore, strikes Pharaoh and his household, even thought the mess was made by Abram … This first act of divine violence after the flood is momentous, as it is directed toward people who have not, to the best of their knowledge, acted wickedly, for the sake of demonstrating solidarity with the family Yahweh has befriended.” —Hawk, L. Daniel (2019). The Violence of the Biblical God. Eerdmans. 48-49.
Avram’s Egyptian Plunder
Bible Study: Abraham the Snake
Day 1: Trusting God in Uncertainty
Read: Genesis 12:10-13
Reflection: Abraham faced a famine and chose to go to Egypt, fearing for his life. Instead of trusting God, he devised a deceptive plan. Have there been times in your life when fear led you to rely on your own wisdom instead of trusting God?
Application: Identify an area where you struggle to trust God. Pray for faith to rely on Him rather than your own understanding.
Day 2: The Consequences of Deception
Read: Genesis 12:14-20
Word Study: The Hebrew word “negef” (נֶגֶף) in verse 17 means “plague” or “affliction.” It indicates divine intervention against Pharaoh’s household due to Abraham’s deception.
Reflection: Abraham’s lie led to unintended consequences. How does this story illustrate the impact of dishonesty? Have you ever seen a small lie spiral into a bigger issue?
Application: Consider a situation where you may need to confess a past dishonesty. Seek to restore truth in your relationships and trust God with the outcome.
Day 3: God’s Faithfulness Despite Our Failures
Read: Psalm 33:4-5; 2 Timothy 2:13
Reflection: Despite Abraham’s failure, God remained faithful and protected Sarai. How does this encourage you in your walk with God, knowing He remains faithful even when we fall short?
Application: Write a prayer thanking God for His faithfulness and ask Him for the strength to follow His ways.
Day 4 (Optional): Learning from Abraham’s Mistakes
Read: Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 8:28
Reflection: How does Abraham’s story teach us about trusting God’s plan rather than trying to control our circumstances?
Application: Take time to surrender your worries to God. Journal about a current struggle and how you can trust God to lead you through it.
Conclusion: Abraham’s journey shows us both his weaknesses and God’s unwavering faithfulness. Let this study remind us to trust in God’s provision and walk in integrity, knowing He is always in control.