Ooops!


Genesis 12:10-20
10 Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land.
11 When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, “I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance,
12 and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live.
13 Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.”
14 When Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful
15 And when the princes of Pharaoh saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.
16 And for her sake he dealt well with Abram; and he had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels. 
17 But the Lord afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.
18 So Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?
19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife; take her, and go.”
20 And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him, and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had.

 There is just so much about this story that is troubling. Our initial feeling is one of disappointment. Why would Abram, who has been obedient enough to take his entire family off on this big sojourn into the Promised Land just because God said "go", suddenly take matters into his own hands and try to take care of what he perceived to be a problem? Our sensibilities are assaulted because it looks like he throws Sarai under the bus - and he did! Fortunately for Sarai, God was looking out for her even when Abram wasn't.

 We know very little of Sarai's time in Pharaoh's house. She was probably placed into the harem for a time of pampering and preparation. Indeed, she was destined for Pharaoh's bed, but it would appear God rescues her before that happens. God afflicts the Egyptians with a plague, which in and of itself probably causes Pharaoh to wait for a sexual dalliance with Sarai. That plague also alerts Pharaoh to the fact that there is a problem and he must address it. Pharaoh behaves honorably, while Abram does not. Abram does not defend his introduction of Sarai as his sister (which in fact, she was - a half sister) rather than as his wife. He remains silent, which was a form of admission. Pharaoh sends Abram away with Sarai in tact and the story moves on.

 When we set about to solve God's problems for Him, we enter dangerous waters. But Abram's relationship with God is new. Abram is just beginning to learn about God and how He can takes care of His children. As the relationship grows, Abram will continue to make mistakes (one of them epic) but he will also continue to learn of God and how to trust Him. The fact that our relationship with God grows over our lifetime is utterly fantastic. That means that my relationship with God always has room to grow. There is always more that I can know about Him and a deeper level of trust that can be reached. I am grateful for the dynamic aspect of my life with Him!

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