May 16: PROVIDENTIAL TESTING

So Abram journeyed, going on still toward the South. 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. Genesis 12:9-10

…toward the South refers to the general area of the Negev, known for its harsh terrain and unpredictable rain. This is where the Patriarchs sojourned, dug wells, and formed covenants with various tribes. After becoming well-known for God’s divine protection, the stone altars that Abraham had set up became places of worship for other groups influenced and enlightened by the friend of God.

Abram had left his original home country with servants and livestock. Having relied upon the divine promise (without even the least outward appearance of its fulfillment), he followed the LORD’s leading. Already, the integrity of his character had become evident to those around him. The servants of Abram chose to accompany him, which in no way affirms the concept of slavery.

Now there was a famine in the land. Much earnest prayer preceded Abram’s consideration of how to preserve the lives of his servants and livestock. His decision to go down to Egypt should not be taken as a forsaking of the land of promise. If Abram had decided to forsake God’s promise, he would have returned to Ur in the land of the Chaldeans. No, Egypt was selected as a temporary refuge, chosen for its proximity to the land of promise. Abram intended to return as soon as possible to the place that God had shown him.

The detour into Egypt was God’s Providence for the purpose of a test. 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…” (v.11) The ensuing lapse in Abram’s faith led to a misrepresentation of their relationship before the king of Egypt (see vv.12-16). This deception placed Sarai in great peril. We do not know what exactly the great plagues (v.17) were that came upon the royal household of Pharaoh, but because of them no harm came to Sarai, and it became evident to Pharaoh that Abram was under divine protection. In addition, God’s intervention kept Pharaoh from ignorantly committing a great sin.

God’s love for each of us is a reality, in spite of our character defects. In His omniscience, He knows of these flaws and weaknesses even as we are unaware. As the engineer of Providence, a test is meant to reveal something that we are called to confess and forsake… to lay it at the feet of the Savior in exchange for His peace.

God’s warning to Pharaoh also had a subsequent long-term effect throughout the entire region: Abraham was protected in his dealings with other heathen peoples. It was no secret that Abraham’s God was a Protector of His own servants. Of the Patriarchs the Psalmist penned these words:

When they went from one nation to another, From one kingdom to another people, He permitted no one to do them wrong; Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes, Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm.” Psalm 105:13-15