God called Abram to leave his home and go to a new land that he would be given. One of the first things he did was to build an altar to the Lord. We can learn a lesson here about worshipping God by building our own altar to the Lord. We don’t have to build a physical structure as much as we need to establish a spiritual practice of worship. Our altar can be a familiar place where we meet God each day. In my case it is my prayer chair.
It didn’t take long for Abram, the father of the faithful, to wander away from the land God had given him. He went to the land of Egypt because of a drought. The land of Egypt is analogous to turning away from the faith. It is tantamount to living in sin. Even the heroes of the faith sinned and so will each of us. How like Abram we are!
While in Egypt, Abram lied and instructed his wife to lie in order to protect himself. Fear can cause believers to be irrational and make poor decisions. These are sometimes called indiscretions, but usually should be called sin. In fear, Abram anticipated what might happen and he was afraid. He selfishly came up with a deception that he supposed would keep him safe. But he failed to consider the consequences of his plan and the unintended results which landed his wife in such a predicament. Too often we are afraid of what could happen as well.
He told his wife to tell the Egyptians that she was his sister. He reasoned the she was beautiful he was afraid they would kill him because of her great beauty. One sin often leads to many others.
He apparently didn’t consider the unintended consequences of such a lie and his wife found herself in Pharaoh’s wedding chapel! Abram received much livestock in return for her and that increased his wealth, but how could he have let it proceed so far? God’s warning kept Pharaoh from serious sin and punishment from God. God intervened and kept Pharaoh from violating Abram’s wife. The Lord punished Pharaoh’s household by inflicting a disease on them. We’re not told exactly how he pieced the puzzle together, but Pharaoh sent Sara home.
Have you realized that when God’s people sin, other people suffer as well? In this case Pharaoh’s, not only did Abram and his wife suffer, but Pharaoh’s household suffered because of Abram’s indiscretion. Similar things can happen with us as well. Abram has that indiscretion from his past recorded in the Word of God forever! Funny how a small indiscretion can follow you for the rest of your life; but God can use even our indiscretions to encourage others. When we realize that even the greatest believers sinned, we know that there is forgiveness for us as well. Be encouraged. God can save us from our sin, but we may have to live with the consequences for a long time to come.
- Dr. Darryl -
It didn’t take long for Abram, the father of the faithful, to wander away from the land God had given him. He went to the land of Egypt because of a drought. The land of Egypt is analogous to turning away from the faith. It is tantamount to living in sin. Even the heroes of the faith sinned and so will each of us. How like Abram we are!
While in Egypt, Abram lied and instructed his wife to lie in order to protect himself. Fear can cause believers to be irrational and make poor decisions. These are sometimes called indiscretions, but usually should be called sin. In fear, Abram anticipated what might happen and he was afraid. He selfishly came up with a deception that he supposed would keep him safe. But he failed to consider the consequences of his plan and the unintended results which landed his wife in such a predicament. Too often we are afraid of what could happen as well.
He told his wife to tell the Egyptians that she was his sister. He reasoned the she was beautiful he was afraid they would kill him because of her great beauty. One sin often leads to many others.
He apparently didn’t consider the unintended consequences of such a lie and his wife found herself in Pharaoh’s wedding chapel! Abram received much livestock in return for her and that increased his wealth, but how could he have let it proceed so far? God’s warning kept Pharaoh from serious sin and punishment from God. God intervened and kept Pharaoh from violating Abram’s wife. The Lord punished Pharaoh’s household by inflicting a disease on them. We’re not told exactly how he pieced the puzzle together, but Pharaoh sent Sara home.
Have you realized that when God’s people sin, other people suffer as well? In this case Pharaoh’s, not only did Abram and his wife suffer, but Pharaoh’s household suffered because of Abram’s indiscretion. Similar things can happen with us as well. Abram has that indiscretion from his past recorded in the Word of God forever! Funny how a small indiscretion can follow you for the rest of your life; but God can use even our indiscretions to encourage others. When we realize that even the greatest believers sinned, we know that there is forgiveness for us as well. Be encouraged. God can save us from our sin, but we may have to live with the consequences for a long time to come.
- Dr. Darryl -
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