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. It came about when he came near to Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, "See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman; and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'This is his wife'; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. Please say that you are my sister so that it may go well with me because of you, and that I may live on account of you." It came about when Abram came into Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. Pharaoh's officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. Therefore he treated Abram well for her sake; and gave him sheep and oxen and donkeys and male and female servants and female donkeys and camels. But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife. Then Pharaoh called Abram and said, "What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? "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." Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they escorted him away, with his wife and all that belonged to him. (Genesis 12:10-20 NASB)
Having walked the length of the land promised to him, Abram finds it necessary to go to Egypt for food (hmm, this sounds familiar for some reason). He has been told that his Master will curse anyone just dishonoring him, he has been told he will be a blessing on every family, he has been told that his Master will be with him to guide him all along the way. These have been "carrots" for his faith. It seems that these carrots are fine motivators to travel, but this motivation hasn't yet been "faith".
On their way into the land, Abram tells Sarai to pretend to be his sister. Abram says this for a few reasons. First, so that it may go well with him; and second, so that he might live. It would seem that Abram doesn't want to be bothered or that it might not go well for him. As he left Haran, the promise was that whoever "dishonored" him, God would curse. What did he really have to fear, even from annoying people? What I don't get is why God seems to work with this method.
So, they enter the land of Egypt. It turns out that Abram is right, and the Egyptians are very taken with Sarai. In fact, they are so taken, the princes of Egypt hear of her and tell the Pharaoh how amazing she is. Pharaoh is so taken that he takes her as his wife. It really is an astonishing turn of events. I don't know if Abram expected such a dramatic reaction, but there is no protest recorded. What can he say after he has said she's his sister? And Pharaoh gives him stuff, the equivalent of a year's groceries, new cars, extra hands around the mobile-ranch. How can he change his story now? And yet his wife is in the house of another, and it's his fault.
It's possible that Abram was surprised at the turn of events, but I have to ask myself, "What did he expect, if not that someone would try to take her as their wife?" Seriously, if she's beautiful and "unattached" what would have been the alternative outcome? Had he refused to let her marry, he would be in danger of the same fate he was trying to prevent, his death. All of a sudden, I'm not so enamoured with Abram's devotion to his wife, the devotion that kept him from getting a newer child-bearing wife in Haran. This is actually sort of creepy. But there might be an alternative interpretation.
I leave Abram, and I think of Sarai; what does she think of all this? Her husband, her master and lord, essentially sells her as a wife to another. This is a completely different culture, so I can't judge it by what my wife would think or feel if I tried this; after all, Abram survives his wife, I'm not sure I would. Taking into account the way she treats him after this, I would say that she is clearly aware of what's developing, and is at least acquiescent. That baffles me. Is it her devotion to Abram that leads her to respond this way? Is it somehow that she trusts his faith; that it will be alright and she doesn't have to worry about these developments? You may ask at this point, "what faith?"
At this point, I have to hold on to a couple of things to reach this next conclusion. The setting of these two things has to do with the culture; the culture is not what I live in now. These guys were traders, and everyone "haggles" seeking the "best deal". Nomads have always been known for this, it was a survival technique with them. So, it is reasonable to assume that Abram was too. The readers aren't told, it's assumed, everyone knows that.
So what are the two things? First, I asked some "rhetorical questions" a few paragraphs before. "What did Abram expect, if not that someone would try to take Sarai as their wife?" So, knowing this, why would he willingly enter into this charade? Well, I believe the second is that he also knew that whoever dishonored him, like taking his wife for their own, would be cursed by God. What? Think about it. Sure it's a famine, and he needs food, but "selling" his wife? Not likely, even if she was barren, it's doubtful he would sell her just to get relief from a famine. Don't forget, God seems to go along with this plan. I believe that it's possible that Abram sought the best deal for himself at the expense of the Egyptians, knowing he had God as his "muscle".
If this is true, it doesn't necessarily put Abram in a better light, but it does explain a few things. For instance, why does he do it again (Genesis 20)? I have always wondered how God could go along with something like this. Where was a prophet like Nathan to call Abram to task for selling his wife? But God doesn't, in fact in Genesis 20 God warns the poor king duped by this charade so he doesn't defile Sarah (at that point she's Sarah). And again Abraham (at that point his name is changed too) is blessed by the king, and even allowed to stay in the country. I think it's possible what is typically thought of as a failure of faith is actually a manipulation of his position before God. And before we castigate Abram for this, if it's true, I recommend a thorough reading of Luke 16. The parable that begins doesn't describe this situation, but rather an attitude of God toward what we might think of as "double-dealing". I think it might be a cultural thing. But really, I can't even be sure of that.
I'm left once again, not really understanding my Master. Do I manipulate my position before my Master? Should I? Is my faith strong enough that I would risk all that is precious because I know my Master has my back? I suppose that is the real question. Is my faith that strong? I hope that after nearly 40 years of walking with Jesus it would be, but I don't think it is even now. I have more growing to do...still.
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