GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 12

GRIFFIN COMMENTS—GEN 12 (Gen 12:1) Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: It appears that God “Had said,” this to Abram while he was still in Ur of the Chaldees. The Lord told him to leave his family and he did leave some apparently, then remained with his father until he died, and finally left with Lot. It was only after he came back from Egypt that he left the family all together. The land that the Lord wanted to show him was what would later be called the Promised Land. It was God’s choice place to put His name—His Sanctuary.

FOUR COVENANTS (Gen_12:1) All of Israel's covenants are called eternal except the Mosaic covenant (law) which is declared to be temporal. It was to continue only until Christ came.

(1) Abrahamic called eternal (Gen_17:7, Gen_17:13, Gen_17:19; 1Ch_16:17 Psa_105:10) (2) Palistinian called eternal in Eze_16:60 (3) Davidic called eternal in 2Sa_23:5; Isa_55:3; Eze_37:25 (4) New Covenant called eternal in Isa_24:5; Isa_61:8; Jer_32:40; Jer_50:5; Heb_13:20 These were made with a Covenant people, Israel (Rom_9:4).

• Gentiles, as a people did not receive such covenants so were not in a covenant relationship with God (Eph_2:12) 1.

ABRAHAMIC

The basis for the entire covenant program has important bearing on the doctrine of salvation. Believers today enter into the blessings promised to Abraham (Gal_3:14, Gal_3:29; Gal_4:22-31).

• Paul's argument (Rom_4:1-25) is based on this covenant promise.

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Resurrection is not only possible, but necessary. Since He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Exo_3:15) with whom He entered into covenant relations, and since they died without receiving the fulfillment of the promises (Heb_11:13), inasmuch as the covenant cannot be broken, it will be necessary for God to raise these men from the dead in order to fulfill His Word (Mat_22:23-32). Paul makes this same connection (Act_26:6-8).

This guarantees Israel a permanent national existence, perpetual title to the land of promise, and certainty of material and spiritual blessings through Christ. The Gentiles are guaranteed to share in it.

2.

PALESTINIAN COVENANT (Deu_30:1-10)

(1) The nation will be plucked off the land for unfaithfulness (Deu_28:63-68; Deu_30:1-3) (2) There will be a future repentance of Israel (Deu_28:63-68; Deu_30:1-3) (3)

The Messiah will return (Deu_30:3-6)

(4)

Israel will be restored to the land (Deu_30:5)

(5)

Israel will be converted as a nation (Deu_30:4-8; Rom_11:26+)

(6)

Israel's enemies will be judged (Deu_30:7)

(7) They will receive their full blessing (Deu_30:9) (See Ezekiel 16 for reaffirming the covenant.)

3.

DAVIDIC COVENANT (2Sa_7:12-16)

(1)

David will have a son to succeed him and establish his kingdom.

(2)

He will build the temple

(3)

The throne of his kingdom will be established for ever

(4)

The throne will not be taken from him even if he sins.

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(5) David's throne, and house (family) and kingdom will be established forever.

(6)

This is sworn by an oath (Psa_132:11; Psa_89:3-4, Psa_89:33)

4.

NEW COVENANT (Jer_31:31-34)

This guarantees Israel a converted heart.

This conversion cannot be affected without the shedding of blood (1) This is called eternal (Isa_24:5; Isa_61:8; Jer_31:36, Jer_31:40; Jer_32:40; Jer_50:5) (2) This is a gracious covenant that depends solely on the "I will" of God (Jer_31:33).

(3)

This amplified the "Blessing" of Abraham's Covenant.

(4) This is largely occupied with salvation from sin and a new heart (Eze_36:26-27) (5)

This promises the Holy Ghost (See Things to Come, page 117)

From these Covenant we learn that Israel has (1) a nation forever (2) a land forever (3) a king forever (4) a throne forever (5) a kingdom forever (6) a New Covenant forever (7) an abiding blessing forever (Gen 12:2) And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: All of these promises to Abram would later be part of a covenant with God that was kept by Abraham until he died and thus is valid to this day. God did make of him a great nation, and today we know that

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nation as Israel. God gave him His blessing which included the Holy Ghost later on, and prosperity in the land. He made his name to be one of the greatest names in history, even today recognized by three religious groups as the father of the faithful. He has blessed the world through his offspring, Jesus Christ.

OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY 2Co_3:14 *(1) THE CALLING TO BE THE FATHER OF GOD’S SPECIAL PEOPLE Gen_12:2 Gen_15:2-7; Gen_15:18-21; Gen_17:2-22; Gen_18:10-15; Gen_21:18; Gen_22:1-18; Gen_25:1-5) (1) The method—by covenant (Gen_17:14; Deu_4:23, Deu_4:31; Deu_29:25; Deu_31:20).

Israel was dedicated to the service of God at Sinai by a covenant. This was different from Abraham's covenant (Deu_29:12). To be separated from God and His service was the same as to "forsake," "forget," "break," "profane," or "transgress," the covenant. The provisions of the covenant was the law.

(2) The results.

They became the repository of the One God message and the Word of God. They also brought forth the Messiah (Rom_9:4-5). (a) Priesthood. (b) Tabernacle (Church). (c) Law (d) Bible (3) The purpose—to be a Special People unto God. God said Israel was to be a peculiar people or treasure (Exo_19:5-6 Deu_7:6-7; Deu_32:8). This designates a costly possession acquired with exertion, and carefully guarded. The peculiar relation in which Israel stands determines their privileges and is the foundation of their duties. They were taken out of heathen world and consecrated to God as His subjects and children. d) Four great crisis

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The spiritual history of Abraham was marked by four great crises, each of which involved the surrender of something which was naturally dear to him.

(1) Land.

First he was called to separate himself from his native land and kindred (Gen_12:1), and go to a land promised, but unknown to him.

(2) Relatives.

Secondly, he was called to give up Lot (Gen_13:1-18), his relative and go alone to look for a city God had prepared (Heb_11:10).

(3) Plans.

Thirdly, he had to abandon his cherished plans about Ishmael (Gen_17:17-18). As any father, he dreamed of great things his son would do, but God rejected these hopes.

(4) Life Fourthly, God forbade him keep his son. Isaac must be offered as a burnt offering. This was his lifeline to the future. God had said he would be a great nation, and it would be through this son. The loss of this son would mean the loss of his lifeline forever. The son was the hope of the Holy City.

The life of the Christian is a series of tests, for only by discipline can Christian character be developed. Frequently there is one supreme test, in view of which all others are preparatory. Abraham had been tested again and again, but never as here. e) ABRAHAM'S CHILDREN (1) First child—Ishmael (a) Born of doubt

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i) Though Abraham is his father, the commands of God are not obeyed in his life. ii) Hagar was from Egypt (type of the world; Genesis 16:1; Hebrews 4:1). iii) She bears a worldly church. (b) Ishmael had God's blessings. i) Answers to prayer. ii) Miracles performed. iii) Healing and prosperity. iv) He felt God's presence. v) He heard God's voice (Gen_17:20; cf. Gen_21:21). (c)But he was not the child of promise (Gal_4:22-23, Gal_4:2831). i) He was not recognized by God (Gen_22:1). ii) He was circumcised but not an inheritor of the city.

(2) Last children (a) These were even closer than Ishmael. i) They received gifts from their father. ii) But they were sent back east where Keturah came from (Babylon) (b) Babylon is known for worldliness. i) There the first false religion was spawned. ii) There they formed the first hamitic trinity religion. iii) Babylon will someday fall (Rev_18:2-4).

(3) Second born—Isaac (a) Birthright of promise: He received all (Gen_25:5). i) Joh_3:3-5 You must be born again to be in this family. ii) Rom_9:6-8 You must be a child of promise.

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iii)Luk_24:49 Jesus described the promise. iv) Act_1:4 They were to wait for the promise. v) Gal_4:23 The free woman has the child of promise. vi) The Holy Ghost is always associated with the promise. vii) So Jesus told Nicodemus he must be born again. (b) Circumcision is involved. i) Gen_17:13-14 The uncircumcized are cut off. ii) Col_2:11-13 New Testament circumcision is baptism (Mar_16:16; Act_2:38). (c) The family name is given at circumcision (Act_4:12; Isa_66:5). (d) Isaac' seed will inherit the Holy City. i) Heb_11:9-10, Heb_11:16 Abraham looked for this city. ii) Joh_14:1-3 God has prepared for His own a city.

(Gen 12:3) And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

History is replete with examples of the fulfillment of this prophecy.

Those who have cursed Israel have been devastated, and those who have blessed them are among the greatest people on earth.

I will curse him that curses [H7043 kaw-lal] you. Literally, I will curse those who make light of you.

All families of the earth are blessed in him through Jesus Christ.

OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY 2Co_3:14 *a. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT Gen_12:3 If you do not grasp this part of your Bible you will misunderstand most of what is written hereafter. (a) This covenant has an important bearing on our doctrine of salvation for sinners.

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Paul showed how we enter into the blessings of Abraham through this covenant (Gal_3:14, Gal_3:29; Gal_4:22-31). Paul's argument in Rom_4:1-25 is based upon this same covenant promise to provide salvation for sinners. (b) This covenant has an important bearing upon the doctrine of the resurrection.

Jesus told the Sadducees that the resurrection was not only possible but necessary. Since God had revealed Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exo_3:15), with whom He had entered into covenant relationships, and since these men had died without receiving the fulfillment of the promises (Heb_11:13), and inasmuch as the covenants could not be broken, it was necessary for God to raise these men from the dead in order to fulfill His Word.

Paul before Agrippa (Act_26:6-8) unites "the promise to the fathers" with the resurrection of the dead in his defense of the doctrine. Thus the fact of physical resurrection is proved by the Lord and Paul from the necessity laid upon God to fulfill His covenant, even though it entails physical resurrection to do so. Our resurrection is united to the question of the kind of covenant made with Abraham. (c) This covenant has an important bearing on the doctrine of future prophecy.

The external aspects of this covenant, which guarantees Israel a permanent national existence, a perpetual title to the land of promise, and the certainty of material and spiritual blessings, and guarantees Gentile nations to share in these blessings, determine the whole future program of the Word of God. This covenant becomes the seed from which are brought forth the later covenants made with Israel.

The land promises of the Abrahamic Covenant are developed in the Palestinian Covenant, the seed promises are developed in the Davidic Covenant, and the blessing promises are developed in the New Covenant. This covenant, then, determines the whole future program of the nation of Israel and is a major factor in Bible prophecy.

(3) THE PROVISIONS OF THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT

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The covenant made with Abraham in Gen_12:1-3, and confirmed and enlarged to him in Gen_12:6-7; Gen_13:14-17; Gen_15:2-21; Gen_17:1-14; Gen_22:15-18, entitled certain basic promises: (a)Abraham's name will be great. (b) A great nation should come from him. (c)He would be a blessing and in him all families of the earth will be blessed. (d) He would possess the Promised Land forever as an inheritance. (e)His seed would be as the dust of the earth. (f) Those who blessed him would be blessed, and those who cursed him would be cursed. (g)He would be the father of many nations. (h) Kings would proceed from him. (i) The covenant would be an "everlasting covenant." (j) The land of Canaan would be an everlasting possession. (k) God would be God to him and to his seed. (l) His seed would possess the gates of their enemies. (m) In his seed all nations of the earth would be blessed.

(4) THE CHARACTER OF THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT Since the Abrahamic Covenant deals with Israel's title deed to the land of Palestine, her continuation as a nation to possess that land, and her redemption so that she may enjoy the blessings in the land under her king, it is of utmost importance to determine the method of fulfillment of this covenant.

If it is a literal covenant to be fulfilled literally, then Israel must be preserved, converted, and restored. If it is an unconditional covenant, these events in Israel's national life are inevitable. The answer to these questions determines ones whole prophetic position.

Abraham was promised that he would personally receive a land.

Stephen, full of the Holy Ghost tells us (Act_7:5) that "He [God] gave him [Abraham] no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on," yet He promised that He would give it to him for a possession and to his seed after him.

This should be decisive, especially when confirmed by Paul (Heb_11:8-9 and Heb_11:13-14), who expressly informs us that the Patriarch sojourned in "the land of promise" which they were to receive as "an inheritance," as "pilgrims and strangers," and that they

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"died in faith, not having received the promise, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were pilgrims and strangers on the earth.

This Abrahamic Covenant, which contained individual promises to Abraham, promises the preservation of a nation, and the possession of a land by that nation, and was given to a specific covenant people.

Since it was unconditional and eternal, and has never yet been fulfilled, it must await a future fulfillment, Israel must be preserved as a nation, must inherit her land, and be blessed with spiritual blessings to make this inheritance possible. *b.

THE PALESTINIAN COVENANT

(1) The nation will be plucked from off the land (Deu_28:63-68; Deu_30:1-3).

(2) There would be a future repentance (Deu_28:63-68; Deu_30:13).

(3) Their Messiah would return (Deu_30:3-6).

(4) Israel would be restored to the land (Deu_30:5).

(5) Israel will be converted as a nation (Deu_30:4-8; cf. Rom_11:2628).

(6) Israel's enemies will be judged (Deu_30:7).

(7) The nation will then receive her full blessing (Deu_30:9). *c.

THE DAVIDIC COVENANT

(1) David's seed would be set up after him (2Sa_7:12).

(2) God would establish his kingdom (2Sa_7:12).

(3) David's seed is established forever (Psa_89:3-4).

(4) His throne is built up to all generations (Psa_89:3-4).

(5) His seed would be multiplied as the sand and stars (Jer_33:22). *d.

THE NEW COVENANT

(1) An unconditional, grace covenant based on God's "I will" (Jer_31:31-38).

(2) It is everlasting (Isa_61:2; cf. Eze_16:60-62; Eze_37:26; Jer_31:35-37).

(3) It imparts a new heart and a new mind (Jer_31:33; cf. Isa_59:21).

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(4) Israel is restored to the favor and blessing of God (Hos_2:19-20; Isa_61:9).

(5) Forgiveness of sins is included (Jer_31:34).

(6) The indwelling of the Spirit is included (Jer_31:33; cf.

Eze_36:27).

(7) The will of God will be accomplished (Jer_31:34).

(8) Material blessings will follow (Jer_32:41; Isa_61:8; Eze_34:2527).

(9) The sanctuary will be rebuilt in Jerusalem (Eze_37:26-27).

(10) War will cease and peace shall reign (Hos_2:18; Isa_2:4).

(Gen 12:4) So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

He had not yet fully obeyed the Lord, but he was on his way. He was told to leave his family behind, but he kept them straggling along. His father was with him in Haran, and now Lot continued with him into Canaan.

CHRIST IN GENESIS (Gen_12:1) 1.

SEED OF THE WOMAN (Gen_3:15; cf. Mat_1:18-25; Gal_4:4 {From Him we receive a new birth})

2.

SEED OF ABRAHAM (Gen_12:1-2; cf. Gal_3:29 {Through Him we enter into a new family})

3.

SHILOH, OUR PEACE (Gen_49:10; cf. Joh_16:33; Rom_5:1 {By Him we have a new relationship})

4.

SHEPHERD—THE STONE OF ISRAEL (Gen_49:24; cf.

Joh_10:11 {With Him we have a new leader})

5.

ADAM, HEAD OF THE HUMAN RACE (Rom_5:12-14; 1Co_15:21-23; 1Co_15:45; Gal_3:22; Gal_3:26 Eph_1:22-23)

6.

ADAM AND EVE AS CHRIST AND HIS BRIDE (Gen_2:23-24; cf. Ephesians 5)

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7.

COATS OF SKIN—GOD'S RIGHTEOUS COVERING (Gen_3:21; cf. 1Co_1:30; 1Jo_2:2; Rev_19:8)

8.

TREE OF LIFE (Gen_2:9; cf. Joh_1:4; Rev_2:7)

9.

ABEL'S MORE EXCELLENT SACRIFICE (Gen_4:4; cf.

Heb_11:4; Heb_10:12)

10.

FIRSTLING OF THE FLOCK—SACRIFICE ACCEPTED (Gen_4:4; cf. Joh_1:19)

11.

NOAH a.

Pleased God (Gen_6:8-9; cf. Mat_3:17; Joh_8:29)

b.

God's will revealed to him (Gen_6:13-22; cf. Joh_17:4-8)

c.

Prepared the way of salvation (Gen_6:14; cf. Heb_11:7; Heb_10:19-20; Rom_5:6-8; Joh_14:6)

d.

Finished God's work (Gen_6:22; cf. Joh_17:4; Joh_19:30)

12.

ARK (Gen_7:1; Gen_7:7; Gen_7:16; cf. 1Pe_3:20-21)

13.

RAINBOW—GOD'S PROMISE AND ASSURANCE (Gen_9:1117; 2Co_1:20)

14.

MELCHIZEDEK—PRIEST AND KING (Gen_14:18-20; cf.

Heb_6:20; Heb_7:1-17; Heb_7:24-25)

15.

ABRAHAM—LEFT HOME TO BEGIN A NEW PEOPLE (Gen_12:1-3; cf. Eph_5:25; Phi_2:5-8; 2Co_5:17) *HEAD OF THE NATIONS (Gen_17:5; cf. Gal_3:6-9; Eph_3:14-15)

16.

ISAAC

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a.

Predicted birth (Gen_17:16; cf. Isa_7:14; Mat_1:23)

b.

Supernatural birth (Gen_17:17; cf. Mat_1:18-25)

c.

Son of Promise (Gen_17:19; Gen_22:2; cf. Joh_3:16)

d.

Offered by His Father (Gen_22:1-14; cf. Heb_11:17-19)

e.

Willingly submitted (Gen_22:6-8; cf. Phi_2:5-8; Heb_10:5-17)

f.

Bride (Chapter 24)

17.

RAM—SUBSTITUTE (Gen_22:13; cf. Heb_10:5-10)

18.

JACOB'S LADDER (Gen_28:12; cf. Joh_1:51; Joh_14:6)

19.

JACOB—PRAY-ER (Gen_32:28; cf. Joh_11:41-42)

20.

DRINK OFFERING (Gen_35:14; cf. Psa_22:14; Isa_53:12)

21.

JOSEPH (Genesis 37-50)

(Gen 12:5) And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.

We do not know how large this group was at this time, but if it was close to the same as when he rescued Lot, it must have been a large household. At that time he took 318 of his servants with him, and we know that when he and Lot parted that the reason was because they both had such a large amount of animals that it was difficult to live together.

(Gen 12:6) And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.

The book of Hebrews tells us that Abraham looked for a city built by God. If he was looking at this time, he must have been sorely

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disappointed. Shechem was a prosperous city and had good pasturelands nearby as we learn from Jacob, but it had things that he would know God did not build. If there were run down quarters or beggars, or lame people on the streets he would know that this is not it and he must keep looking. He was in the land of promise, but not the final city he will go to one day.

(Gen 12:7) 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.

The Lord let him know that this was the land He wanted him to come to, but no particular place to dwell, so he built an altar, which is the usual thing for him to do when he arrived in a place and kept up his pilgrimage.

IS YOUR ALL ON THE ALTAR? (Gen_12:7; Gen_15:5-10) A.

WHAT IS THE ALTAR? A Scriptural altar is not necessarily a place of planks and boards at the front of the church.

1.

A PLACE OF FULL SURRENDER

Genesis 21 "Abraham came to such a place."

In the New Testament we have Rom_12:1 2.

A PLACE OF SACRIFICE

Genesis 4 "Abel came to such a place" Paul said, "We are crucified with Christ (Gal_2:20) 3.

A PLACE OF SURE DEATH

Leviticus 16 "And the lamb had to die" Joh_12:24 "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die it abideth alone; but it if die it bringeth forth much fruit.

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B.

C.

WHAT DO WE NEED TO PLACE ON THE ALTAR? 1.

OURSELVES Rom_6:13 "Yield yourselves to God" Rom_12:1 "Present your bodies a living sacrifice" We need to yield body, mind and soul to the Lord

2.

OUR HOMES Joshua cried, "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord."

A Christian's home honors Christ, the Bible and the Church

3.

OUR POCKETBOOKS David cried, "What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits unto me?"

"Will a man rob God?"

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE PLACE ALL ON THE ALTAR? 1.

THE FIRE OF THE LORD COMES DOWN 1Ki_18:38 "Then the fire of the Lord fell."

Isa_6:7-8 Isaiah felt the fire from Heaven when he placed his all on the altar.

"Then flew one of the seraphim unto me, and laid it upon my mouth."

2.

THE SONG THE LORD BEGINS 2Ch_29:27 "And when the burnt offering began the song of the Lord began.

For sixteen years there was no song in the House of the Lord, but after sixteen days of house cleaning (one day for each year of silence) their song was regained.

3.

THE POWER OF GOD WILL BE RESTORED IN OUR LIVES "And when they prayed the place where they prayed was shaken." (Act_4:31). After Jacob wrestled with the Lord all night, he received power with God and with men (Gen_32:28).

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ALTAR OF SACRIFICE There is something sublime, something that is not wholly of this world, in the deed that costs the doer his personal happiness, the surrender of his own gratification in the interest of something higher.

The world is always ready to reverence that when it see it, perhaps without quite knowing why. But more often than not, the essence of the deed consists in the fact that the world does not see it for what it is, but either ignores it or mistakes it for something else. It is these principles that lie at the heart of the sacrificial system. Human nature is curiously constituted in this respect. It is extremely selfish, and yet never fails to respond in some degree to the call for selfimmolation. There is something in us all that makes us want to lay ourselves on the altar when any great crisis demands it, and superpersonal need has to be served. We may not yield to it, but the impulse is there—it is in everybody.

(Gen 12:8) And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD. He was the one to preserve the truth of Jehovah God, the One True God and it was only proper that we find him calling on the Name of the Lord here.

In a meeting to pray for the president's recovery [James A. Garfield], one of his classmates rose and said, "Twenty-six years ago tonight, and at this very hour, our class were on the top of Graylock to spend the night of the fourth of July. As we were about to lie down to sleep, Garfield took out his pocket Testament and said, 'I am in the habit of reading a chapter every night at this time with my mother. Shall I read aloud?' All assented; and when he had read, he asked the oldest member of the class to pray. And there, in the night, on the mountain top, we prayed with him for whom we have now assembled to pray."

(Dr. Prime.)

(Gen 12:9) And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.

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He had come in from the north, having come around the Fertile Crescent from Haran and kept traversing this land seeking for the right place to settle. His life appears to be one of continual moving.

The child of God has no certain dwelling place here on earth (Heb_13:14) and is thus a pilgrim and stranger in this world (Heb_11:13; 1Pe_2:11).

(Gen 12:10) 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.

Even the great man of faith can have his momentary doubts. The Lord had not sent him to Egypt, and seldom ever does, and it caused him problems. But he felt the circumstances of famine and went where he could find relief.

This is our first introduction to Egypt in the Bible. It would play a significant role in forming Israel into a nation later and become a type of the world out of which the godly are delivered.

(Gen 12:11) 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: She was already over 75 years old and was still beautiful so she must have truly been a beautiful woman. Even later at the time Isaac was born he still speaks of her beauty. [come near to enter into Egypt] This is our first introduction to Egypt in the Bible. It has always been a type of the world from that day to this. Here was the center of all that leads to worldliness; education, art, pleasures, royal power and military might. Egypt was also known as a base for medicine and chemistry. All of these things in themselves have proved a great benefit for mankind, yet they have also been like the inventions of Cain, a means of turning mankind away from the true and living God. That is why Jesus warned against getting so caught with cares of life [which are not only legitimate but necessary for life] that we fail to be productive.

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(Gen 12:12) 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.

He did not seem to take into consideration what this would do to her security. She was a woman, and the greatest need of a woman is security, yet Abraham was asking her to endanger her own life and character to save his life. He did the same thing more than once, so he did not seem to see the error of his ways. Then later Isaac would do the same, which shows the influence parents have on children in their customs.

(Gen 12:13) 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.

It was true that she was his sister. They both had the same father, but her mother was different from Abraham’s mother. The problem though, is that half the truth is often worse than a full lie.

Abram was hitherto obeying the voice of the Lord, and walking in the path of duty, and therefore he was full of unhesitating confidence in the divine protection. Now he may be pursuing his own course, and, without waiting patiently for the divine counsel, venturing to cross the boundary of the land of promise. He may therefore be without the fortifying assurance of the divine approval. There is often a whisper of this kind heard in the soul, even when it is not fully conscious of the delinquency, which occasions it.

(Barnes Notes) (Gen 12:14) And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair.

So it was not just Abraham’s opinion that she was a beautiful woman, others also recognized this. And it is a wonder that she was not taken by one of these Egyptians, if not by the Pharaoh himself to be a wife or concubine. It had to be God’s protection that kept this from happening. God was watching out for His own when they were not very careful about how to handle their own affairs.

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(Gen 12:15) The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.

Pharaoh must have had many women in his harem, but apparently it was noticeable that this woman was exceptional if we take the princes commendation to mean anything.

When a woman was brought into the seragilo or harem of the eastern princes, she underwent for a considerable time certain purifications before she was brought into the king’s presence. It was in this interim that God plagued Pharaoh and his house with plagues, so that Sarai was restored before she could have been taken to the bed of the Egyptian king.

(Adam Clarke) (Gen 12:16) 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.

So Abraham walked out with his bounty, to the great blue yonder and left Sarah behind to suffer the consequences. It is strange that a man could be this careless about the needs of his wife; and it could be his phlegmatic nature that kept him from thinking of her. He wanted to save his own hide and must have considered that someway Sarah would take care of herself.

(Gen 12:17) And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.

Pharaoh would have been very superstitious as pagans with many gods were, and whatever plague hit him and his household must have alerted him to what the problem was. The Bible does not reveal to us what these serious plagues were, but in the next case the wombs of the women were closed so that they could not bear children (Gen_20:18), but it appears this case was worse.

(Gen 12:18) 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?

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Pharaoh proved to be wiser in this than the great Patriarch. It is as Jesus said; the children of this world are wiser than the children of the light. (Luk_16:8).

We do not know exactly how he found out Sarah was his wife. Very likely, when stricken by the plagues, his pagan superstitions made him investigate and when he questioned Abram found out the truth, that this really was his wife.

(Gen 12:19) 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.

Such reproof should have sunk into Abraham and made him realize that his action was not wise, but apparently it did not as he continued to think more of his own safety than that of his wife. And she still went along with it; and as Peter said, called him lord (1Pe_3:6). Yet we find him falling for the same mistake again later.

(Gen 12:20) And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.

This Pharaoh does not seem as capricious as some. He appeared to treat Abraham rather mildly when he could have caused him the damage he feared, and that had caused the problem in the first place.

Dr. Lightfoot (m) is of opinion, that he gave charge to the Egyptians, making it as it were a law for the time to come, that they should not converse with Hebrews, nor with foreign shepherds, in any so near familiarity, as to eat or drink with them, which the Egyptians observed strictly ever after, Gen_43:32. (Gill) (m) See his Works, vol. 1. p. 694

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