Forced Introduction

Forced Introduction

Genesis 12: ¹⁰ Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land. ¹¹ And it came to pass, when he was close to entering Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “Indeed I know that you are a woman of beautiful countenance. ¹² Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. ¹³ Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you.”

 

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Abram, his wife Sarai, Lot and all the people who joined them, settled down in the land GOD showed them. But HE caused a great famine. This was no ordinary famine, but one in which nothing would grow for a long time. Something had to be done. Food was getting scarce for humans and animals.

 

Abram was forced to leave the land and go to a neighboring area, namely Egypt. Fear stricken, Abram asked his wife, Sarai, to lie. She agreed.

 

My Observations:

• Abram would have never left the land unless a difficult situation happened.
• GOD may have wanted to introduce the Egyptians to Abram as a precursor to Moses.
• Abram, while faithful, had fears, doubts and worries.

 

Looking back on people in the Bible makes me think they were invincible. But Abram was scared for his life. This is the first time we see him develop a plan that goes outside of GOD’s way of doing things. And it won’t be the last. Abram had a reason to be scared.

 

The Egyptian Pharaohs were possibly notorious for taking the best women for themselves. Abram wanted to stay alive and risked his marriage by asking his wife, Sarai, to say she was his sister. They were now in a predicament that they would not have chosen. They never said “If it wasn’t for the famine, we wouldn’t be in this situation.” They went forward in GOD’s promise.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about Abram’s introduction to the Egyptians?
• Have you ever been put in a situation that you would not have chosen, only to find out it was part of GOD’s plan when you look back on it?
• Can you see that some of your difficulties are accounted for in GOD’s plan for you?

Nations and People Groups 4 of 6

Nations and People Groups 4 of 6

Genesis 10: ¹³ Mizraim begot Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, ¹⁴ Pathrusim, and Casluhim (from whom came the Philistines and Caphtorim).

 

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Returning back to the children of Ham, GOD mentions Mizraim to Noah. Mizraim is the founder of the Egyptian empire that would prove to be a challenge for a long period of time. Mizraim may have also tried to prove the curse of Noah was not valid, nor was the GOD he followed. One of his son’s, Casluhim, birthed the Philistine empire.

 

My Observations:

• Mizraim or Egypt eventually saw people as property.
• The Egyptian empire would enslave many people, which seems contrary to the curse of Canaan.
• People who seek power over one another may dominate for a season, but fall hard when the LORD says so.

 

Wow! Egyptians and Philistines! GOD allowed groups of people to be born and walk in disbelief on HIM. They were highly intelligent, strong and highly admired. They struggled with the concept of a higher power, thinking humans could become a god.

 

It is amazing that GOD allowed people to create false gods and turn their backs to HIM. No matter what GOD has done in the past or present, they would not turn to HIM. Great empires were developed with wild human sacrifices. GOD was not weak, HE waited.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD mention the origin of Egypt and the Philistines to Moses?
• Has GOD made a promise to you that has not come to fruition?
• Will you allow GOD to work HIS plan through you as part of a greater plan for humanity?