In the previous study, we learnt of how God called one man, Abram, and established a covenant with him. In the rest of chapter 12 and 13, we learn more about this man that God chose. What kind of a man do you think he is?
(A) The first story about doubt and deception: Abram, Sarai and Pharaoh (Gen 12:10-20)
Having left his home in Ur, Abram travelled to Haran with his father, where God called him out again to Shechem (Gen 12:6), to the hill country (Gen 12:8). This time a famine hits the land (Gen 12:10), and he moves to Egypt. We see that from 12:1 onwards, Abram has been led on a faith journey, from one place to another. Abram was a faithful man, continually trusting in the promises of God and His call, despite the circumstances.
In Egypt, he encountered a problem. Abram realised that his wife Sarah was pretty (Gen 12:11), and in order to get her, the Egyptians might kill him if they knew that he was her husband. He sought to preserve his own life instead of the honor of his pretty wife (Gen 12:12), and lies to the Egyptians that Sarai is his sister not his wife. The logic at work in his mind? “Your life for mine.” Sarai's life for his.
Do you realise that this is the man God chooses -- a liar, betrayer, coward, who operates with a "your life for mine" mindset and profited from the woman he was supposed to protect. Instead of protecting his wife, he used her as as a shield for himself. Is this surprising? In many ways, Abram is anything but the man God should chose, or we expect to. This, too, is a picture of who we are. How often in our lives do we apply the same logic that Abram did, putting ourselves first ahead of others? Sinners do not naturally say “me for you”. Instead, our hearts are wired for a “you for me” relationship. Gen 12 is a picture of who we are.
As a result, Sarai became Pharaoh's wife, and Abram profited greatly from this (Gen 12:14-16). Yet, God also intervened (Gen 12:17). The writer marked this intervention with a well-placed "but" and the text shifts the focus away from the human characters and instead brings God in. Pharaoh's house suffered because of Sarai, and he eventually found out about the real relationship between Abram and Sarai (Gen 12:17-20). He confronted Abram about his sin of omission, when he withheld information ("why did you not tell me") and sin of commission, when he lied about their relationship ("why did you say"). Abram and Sarai finally leave, surprisingly with greater things than when he arrived to avoid the famine in the land (Gen 12:20). Verses 17-20, help us see what God does in spite of Abram’s lies. God intervened and even provided for Abram beyond what He could imagine! He acted, saved Abram and his family and helped them leave Egypt better than they entered. How would you describe this God that acts when we don’t, that saves us from our own mess, and lets us get out of our problems better than we were?
If we are honest, Abram is really a picture of our lives. There is nothing that we enjoy in life that we actually deserve. We too mess up our relationships and live such messed up lives. And God relates to us in the same way, giving and showering us His kindness. In Ps 124:1-5, we also realise that Bible people understand the depth of their sin and the kindness of God. This passage also does not show a methodology, a way of solving problems. Instead, it reveals the God who is there. The Bible too does not focus on what to do but really reveals who God is.
(B) The second story about domestic dispute: Abram and Lot (Gen 13:1-18)
Upon leaving Egypt, Abram went back to the place where he first began to call on the name of the Lord and built an altar there as an act of worship. It marked a repenting of the events in Egypt (Gen 13:1-4). He recognised that he left Egypt richer than when he entered purely out of God's grace and in spite of his sin. We all have ‘Egypt’ in our lives, occasions where we have done things we’ve never thought we would, disobeyed God etc. Where are you in your spiritual life right now? In Egypt? Come out. Out of Egypt? Go to the altar!
We are introduced to Lot, Abram's relative. At this part of the story (Gen 13:5-7), tensions arose because of the abundant resources. We also see how Abram was a man that had encountered the grace of God, and this changed the way he dealt with the conflict between his household and Lot's. In verses 8-13, we read that he allowed Lot priority in choosing the land that he wished to dwell in, a stark contrast with the "you for me" mindset of Egypt. Lot chose the more fertile and promising one. Abram realised that God had dwelt with him very kind (did not die for lying, wife did not leave him, left Egypt with loads). He did not get what he deserved and he got so much more, and because of that, in his interactions with lot, he was free to be generous with others. This is a man living in grace. Has grace touched and melted your heart? If it has, it frees us to extend the same grace to others.
The narrative concludes with God restating the promises to Abram, and Abram worshiping this promise keeping God (Gen 13:14-18). Notice how God spoke to Abram only after the decision was made and He repeats His promise. Abram, once more, responds in worship by building an altar, in the land that doesn’t look as good. He recognises God’s continued faithfulness and guidance.
This Bible shows us that the God of the Bible chooses people that are sinners, broken, that are sick, not people that are perfect. We’re not even normal people with a bit of flaws. We are downright broken and sick. Everyone of us need this gospel of grace. Abram encountered the God of grace, realised his sin, repented and worshiped.
What about you and me today?