Genesis 12:10-13:4

We are studying a journey of faith.  We emphasize this now as we see one of several struggles in which Abram fails to trust God.

God has promised to make Abram great, to give him many descendants and a great land.  Yet Abram’s actions in Egypt indicate he is not aware of just how far God will go to fulfill His word.  He takes responsibility for preserving his own life and puts his wife in a very terrible situation. It is true that Sarai was Abram’s half-sister (Gen. 20:12; this kind of marriage was necessary at this point of history and not beset with the problems today where mutant genes have polluted the gene pool).  But clearly he demonstrates his unbelief.  The fact that this happened once is perhaps no surprise; but it would happen again in Gen. 20.

It is interesting that Abram learns a lesson through the rebuke of the Pharaoh.  Abram must learn that true faith, the faith that receives God’s promise, will be evident as that promise touches every aspect of life. 

More than interesting, it is vital that we also see that God did not reject Abram because of his unbelief.  God, in fact, demonstrates His faithfulness by protecting Abram and Sarai in Egypt.  Thus when they return to Canaan, arriving at a place later to be named Bethel, Abram again worships God on the altar he had previously built.

 (In 13:4 Abram called on the name of the LORD, Yahweh.  This would not be the prominent name for God in Abram’s day.  It would become God’s covenant name later in the time of Moses, Ex. 6:3.  but this does not mean the name Yahweh was not known at this time.)

Abram failed to trust God, taking matters into his own hands.  Before we give in to the temptation to criticize Abram let us ask about our own faith.  Do we fail to realize how far God will go in maintaining His faithfulness?  Do we pray, give us this day our daily bread, but then find ourselves anxious about our basic needs?  Do we hear Him command that we forgive as we have been forgiven, and yet feel animosity toward those who have offended us?  We too are on a journey of faith and that faith must grow when it comes up short. 

Ask the Lord to show you where you currently lack faith and cry out to the Lord, “help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)  Faith grows!