Folly and Compromise in Egypt

Abram is the father of the faithful and an example of how a believer lives. Yet just like us, he is not without great folly and sin, as these verses show. In the face of a severe famine, Abram flees to Egypt, with intention of setting down roots there. His sojourn includes a foolish scheme to protect Sarai and himself from the Egyptians. A little lie yields terrible consequences and Abram is forced back to the land of promise. This is ultimately the Lord's doing, as he intervenes to protect his promises and to discipline his faltering children—such is his way as he works to complete what he began. God acts for his own glory and protects his own reputation, even when his people go far astray. Let us learn wisdom from Abram's sad failure, even as we continue to share his faith in the unshakeable promises of God!