GENESIS 12: Abram went down to Egypt

HE CONTINUED HIS JOURNEY

It is curious that after the Lord reveals Abram the Promised Land, he did not settle there.

(Genesis 12:9)  And Abram journeyed on, still going toward the Negeb.

When we read this we must ask ourselves: Why did Abram leave from the place God had showed him? Maybe he did not like it? Perhaps he was a little upset, since the Lord told him that he would give the land to his descendants, when he did not have any children of his own. Maybe he continued searching for greener pastures. If that was what he was looking for, he certainly found the opposite when he headed south. The Negeb is the desert located south of Israel, its name literally means “arid, parched”, and that what it’s like.

Negeb Desert

To make matters worse, there was a famine in the land, which usually occurs as a result of a drought.

FAMINE IN THE LAND

(Genesis 12:10)  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.

Whenever the Bible refers to going to Jerusalem it always describes it as “going up”. But when it refers to going to Egypt or Babylon, it describes it as “going down”. This description does not refer to the general direction where you are coming from (north, south, east or west), but to the place where you are headed. It is a spiritual expression. Egypt and Babylon represent the world, which is why you go “down” towards it. On the other hand, Jerusalem is the place God chose to put his name there (Deuteronomy 12:5, 1 Kings 14:21), the Temple, the capital of His Kingdom on Earth, and that is why you go “up towards it.

Abram “went down” to Egypt. He lowered his level, since it was not the place where he was supposed to be. Abram then come upon a desert.

When we leave God’s plan for our lives, we come upon “deserts”. Then things get complicated. That is what happened to Abram.

(Genesis 12:11-13)  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."

Some people may believe that Abram was very “clever”. The problem comes when we trust in our own intelligence more than in God’s protection.  When man “gets his hands in” and manipulates, usually things don’t turn out very well…

(Genesis 12:14-20)   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.

God’s laws are not limited to the people of God, but apply to the whole universe. There are universal laws, like the laws of physics. The Bible tells us that the consequence of sin is a curse (Deuteronomy 28) and that “the curse causeless shall not come” (Proverbs 26:2). Maybe Abram did not know, or maybe he thought he was smarter than God. Even the Egyptians knew that there were consequences to violating the laws of the universe.

We would think that Abram learned from this mistake, however we will read that he would repeat the very same mistake later on… but let’s leave that for later.

What would have been the right thing to do in this situation? First of all, do not leave God’s will, because we expose ourselves when we do. Secondly, trust in God and not on our own sagacity.

(Proverbs 3:5-7)   Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  (6)  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  (7)  Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

The key lies in trusting God. But we cannot be assured if we are not walking on God’s will. Obedience conveys security; on the other hand, disobedience conveys uncertainty. It all begins by remaining in God’s purpose.

We should at least give Abram the credit that he did not return to his place of birth, or back with his relatives, which would have been easier for him.

(Hebrews 11:15-16)   If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return.  (16)  But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.