Abraham’s Limited Faith

Abraham had set out to follow God, not knowing where God wanted him, according to Hebrews 11:8.  “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.”   God rarely tells us what he wants more than one step ahead because he wants us to surrender to him, rather than surrendering to a place or a ministry.  When we are surrendered to him, we can be content with whatever place or ministry he gives us, knowing we are in the right place.  In Genesis 12:7 God made it clear Abraham had arrived in the proper place.  “And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.”

Even though he was in the place where God wanted him, Abraham had some problems, as Genesis 12:10 tells us.  “And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.”  Far too many Christians forget we live in a sinful world that has rejected God, and that we are frequently affected by consequences.  Problems do not always indicate we are out of God’s will.  In John 16:33, Jesus warned, “…In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”   Problems are just a natural part of being alive, and we are forced to deal with them. 

Abraham went to Egypt to escape the famine.  Not knowing what the attitudes in Egypt were like, Abraham assumed the people were wicked and would try to take his wife away from him.  He planned a way to prevent that from happening, by getting Sarah to lie and claim to be his sister rather than his wife.   Genesis 12:11-13.  “And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.  Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.”

Abraham had been right that the Egyptians would find Sarah very attractive and want to be with her.  Genesis 12:14-16 tells us, “And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair.  The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.  And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.”  Believing she was Abraham’s sister, Pharaoh himself tried to butter up Abraham to gain his support of his marrying her.   

Abraham’s plot was not pleasing to God.  Genesis 12:17-20 tells what happened.  “And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.  And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?  Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.  And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.”  Abraham’s assumption about the Egyptian had been wrong.  They still had a respect for God’s moral values and would not take another man’s wife.  Pharaoh was upset that Abraham’s lie had the potential for resulting in someone unknowingly committing adultery with Sarah and bringing God’s judgment on Egypt.  To prevent further problems, they deported Abraham. 

While Abraham could trust God to supply their physical needs through his efforts, he found it hard to trust God to protect him from the people around him.  When he couldn’t see any way of protecting himself, he panicked and lied to the people, endangering them.   He was trusting God to use his abilities, rather than trusting God fully to take care of him.   His faith was severely limited at this point, and would need to grow before he could receive all God’s promises fully.