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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 58

"He permitted no one to do them wrong; Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes, Saying, 'Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.'" Psalm 105:14-15

Text: Genesis 12:1-20

WEAKNESS AND STRENGTH

Is it possible for a man of faith to also exhibit obvious weakness? Unfortunately, the answer is “Yes!” Abram’s faith in God was genuine enough. He expressed that faith in worship and in obedience. However it would be naïve to think that because of his faith in God, he would henceforth exhibit only strength! Both weakness and strength may co-exist in the life of the man of God.

“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. 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. Please say that
you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake,
and that I may live because of you.'”

GENESIS 12:11-13

1. The Fear of Death

Deep down, Abram was afraid that he would be killed by the Egyptians. Fear taught him to reason in the worse possible way! His fears led him to inveigle his wife Sarai to contemplate lying! Perhaps they could lie their way out of a desperate situation!

How right the writer of the book of Hebrews was when he penned these words,

“…through fear of death… all their lifetime subject to bondage.”

Hebrews 2:15

2. A Desperate “Survival Instinct”

Abram was overwhelmed by the fear of death. He was prepared to do anything to preserve his life, even if that meant asking Sarai to lie on his behalf! This was his plan of survival. He figured that if he were to stay in Canaan, the famine might kill him. It was this instinct for survival that made him leave the Promised Land when it was severely hit by famine. It was also this desperate instinct for survival that caused him to hit upon this plan to stay alive in Egypt.

Abram was “correct” in his analysis. His wife was snatched away from him and added to Pharaoh’s harem. He was well treated for her sake (Genesis 12:14-16)! But what kind of a life would he have in Egypt if this state of affairs had continued?


THE MIGHTY HAND OF GOD

Abram had not learned how to apply his faith in God in tough times. The mercies of God however prevailed.

“But the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues
because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.”

GENESIS 12:17

Abram may have disappointed God. However, God would not disappoint Abraham! He stood by His servant, despite his weaknesses! Such is the Lord God!