Genesis 12:1-20

12:1-3 | These difficult commands from the Lord… to Abram (later called Abraham; 17:5-6) were connected to extraordinary blessing. God’s blessing of Abram would be both material and spiritual; Abraham’s blessing of others would be spiritual (Gal. 3:14).

12:3-5 | As part of this covenant, God promised that those who treated Abram poorly would be cursed. History shows this to be true - those who abuse the Jewish people pay a price. The ultimate blessing, however, would be realized in the coming of the Messiah, in whom all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Gal. 3:8). Abram’s obedience was evident: he departed just as the Lord had spoken.

12:7-9 | The Lord appeared suggests a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. Here in Canaan God first promised Abram this land (Ps. 105:9-12).

12:10-16 | Sarah, or Sarai as she is called here, was 65 years old and still a woman of beautiful contenance. She was also Abram’s half-sister (20:12). In Egypt, Abram’s decision to conceal this fact and disclose only part of the truth endangered her: she was taken to Pharoah’s house as a potential addition to the royal harem. Perhaps Abram forgot that God’s people can always trust in His provision.

12:17-20 | God intended for Abram to be a blessing; instead he became a curse (the Lord plagued Pharoah and his house). Even though Abram’s sin was the primary offense, Pharoah was implicated and consequently suffered.