Genesis 12
Genesis 20
1 Peter 2
I was astounded at the fact that on two occasions, Abram in fear of being killed for his gorgeous wife asks her to say that she is his sister. There are three things that amaze me here:
1) How God fiercely protects marriage
2) Abram's fear despite becoming the father of faith
3) Sarah's courage
1) Gods fiercely protects marriage
In the first case this happens in Egypt where Sarah is taken into the household of Pharoah. God however vociferously protects Abram-Sarah's marriage and casts plagues on the household of Pharoah. Give back Abram's wife! It wasn't long before Sarah, Abram and all they have are kicked out of the country.
In the second case, this happens in Gerar in Abimelech's kingdom. Consider this as a response from God as He comes to Abimelech in a dream: "Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man's wife". God inflicts disease on the household of Abimelech and closes the wombs of all the women.
This is definitely a show of God's fierce protection of marriage. If you mess with a man's wife, you are going to get messed by this God! It is a strong warning to us now today that what God has joined, let no man separate. Don't try. If however things have not gone well in this area, pray for God's forgiveness and repent - a 180 degree change of direction to see God's intended plan restored.
2) Abram's fear
Not long after Abram has set out from Haran he receives this promise from God:
"I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you...(Gen 12v2-3)"
A promise of this magnitude is something that should dispel all fear. God will fight for your protection and come against all who come against you. Yet, he is very fearful for his own life and being killed on account of his wife's beauty. In his fear, he asks Sarah to compromise her own safety, integrity and the security of marriage to live as a potential harlot in the house of Pharoah and Abimelech. His fear also causes other good people to sin/nearly sin before God and experience very negative consequences. See Abimelech's response to God in Genesis 20.
Let us learn from this situation and trust in God's promises that faith may dispel fear. Our fear can be very destructive not only for ourselves but for the lives of people around us.
Let us also consider however, that despite our fear God is still able to use us in his kingdom. It is quite remarkable really that despite this fear Abram is considered a father of faith. God is able to use our humanity and frailty and still work out something awesome to His glory and praise.
If I was Sarah I probably would have given Abram a klap on the head, a serious talking too and scolded him for his fear and unwillingness to be prepared to fight for my life and his own. In an era of woman's rights this really would not have gone too well.
However instead she holds her head up high, witnesses to Abram about the courage she has in God in contrast to his fear. She goes forward and claims 'sister' to these kings in submission to her husband's instruction even though she was probably questioning the validity of his idea. She trusts in God to protect her from abuse when her husband cannot. She was made even more beautiful in these two situations as she adorned herself with a gentle and quiet spirit, trusting in God and not being afraid of any terror.
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