The biblical narrative of “Abraham Goes Down to Egypt” is a pivotal episode in the life of the patriarch Abraham, whose journey is chronicled in the Book of Genesis. This compelling story takes us back to a time when Abraham faced a severe famine in the land of Canaan, pushing him to make a fateful decision to seek refuge in Egypt.
The events that unfold during his sojourn in Egypt not only provide insight into the challenges and complexities of his faith but also shed light on broader themes of trust, divine providence, and the intricate relationship between faith and human strategy.
Abraham Goes Down To Egypt
Genesis 12:10-20
Abram, later known as Abraham, had been called by God out of his idolatrous background (Genesis 12:1). God appeared to him and promised to make him a great nation. Abram obeyed God and left the land of his nativity.
But a time came when he had to go down into Egypt as a result of famine which ravaged his place of abode. He had unpleasant experiences in Egypt. Our lesson focuses on these experiences.
The contemporary Christian has a lot to learn from this incident in the life of Abraham. The believer will do well to resort to prayer when faced with difficulties or crises.
This will enable him to receive divine instruction and thereby take the right step in every situation. To the believer, God promises:
Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye”
We need to rely on the guidance of our loving Father as we traverse this dark world. Egypt typifies the world and its evil systems. The believer is warned against any thought or intention of going back to Egypt.
Going Down Into Egypt (Genesis 12:10; Proverbs 24:10; Isaiah 30:1-3; Ruth 1:1-7; 1 John 2:15).
“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” (Genesis 12:10).
Abram, who in an act of faith, had departed from his father’s house, became disturbed by the implications of famine. Instead of turning to God in prayer so as to know what to do or where to go, he went ahead into Egypt without express command from God.
Like Abram, many Christians “go down into Egypt” without discovering the mind of God. Many a believer goes into a marriage, engages in a business enterprise, or chooses a lifetime vocation without seeking the face of God. Such people would not seek counseling or guidance from their pastors.
Instead, they follow their ways and devise their own strategies. This kind of attitude has grievous consequences, as we see in the case of Abraham.
When Isaac, Abraham’s son, encountered a similar problem of famine, God gave him a directive,
“Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of” (Genesis 26:2).
Isaac survived and overcame the problem. Moreover, God sounded a note of warning through the prophet Isaiah about the folly of trusting in Egypt:
“Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord!” (Isaiah 31:1).
Many so-called believers went down to Egypt, to herbalists, soothsayers, necromancers, and false prophets, to the wrong places for aid to get children, life partners, or employment. Like Abraham went down to Egypt for food, others go down to sinful or questionable places like breweries, and tobacco companies for a livelihood.
Besides, there are those who, in pursuit of spouses or business opportunities, compromise their faith and get unequally yoked with unbelievers, Unfortunately, instead of getting their problems solved their cases become worsened.
Just as Abraham went down to Egypt, Elimelech, and his wife went on a sojourn in the land of Moab (Ruth 1:1,2). Elimelech and his two sons died in a strange land.
The lesson being driven here is that believers in Christ Jesus must wait on God before undertaking any journey or before taking a major decision in life. Egypt is a type of the world. Christ has delivered the believer from the power of sin just like Moses was used to deliver the Israelites from the clutches of Pharaoh.
Egypt was noted for her idol worship. Similarly, there are many evil practices in the world today. Worldly dressing, adornment, pursuits, pleasures, and desires are sources of temptation to Christians.
The believer has been translated and brought to Mount Zion. At this height, he should make up his mind never to “go down into Egypt” of worldly systems and practices. John the beloved cautions all heaven-bound pilgrims:
“Love not the world, neither the things that 9 are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).
Grave Dangers In The Descent Into Egypt (Genesis 12:11-17; Ruth 1:1,3,5; Isaiah 31:3; 2 Corinthians 6:14-16).
At the border of Egypt, Abraham hatched a plan he thought would bail him out of Egyptians’ hostility which he anticipated. Unfortunately, it was a cistern that held no water. He suddenly became worried about the fact that Sarah was fair to look upon (Genesis 12:11,14).
He entertained some fears that the Egyptians might kill him because of Sarah (Genesis 12:12). The dilemma of Abraham here is a replica of the spiritual state of a believer who has gone into the world.
His mind is filled with darkness, confusion, and despair. He loses his sense of direction. No wonder the Bible warns:
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12).
Abraham soon glided into falsehood. In his desperation, he taught the wife to hide her real identity.
“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” (Genesis 12:13).
Here we note that the sliding of a believer into a sinful state is often gradual. It is not always a single leap from virtue to vice.
More often than not, the desire to become part of the world starts imperceptibly in the heart. Gradually, it manifests in the conversation of the individual.
Finally, it reveals itself in his lifestyle. Any decision taken by divine guidance is disastrous. Had Abraham sought the face of God when confronted with the famine, perhaps he would not have got himself into trouble.
Abraham entered Egypt. The princes of Pharaoh, upon seeing Sarah decided she should become another wife to Pharaoh (Genesis 12:15). Abraham was then favored by Pharaoh. He was offered some gifts by the king of Egypt, obviously in exchange for Sarah.
“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” (Genesis 12:16)
Satan sometimes dangles worldly gains or certain “gifts” before a Christian in a bid to rob him of his most precious possession of eternal life. The devil tempted Balaam, the son of Beor, with rewards of unrighteousness, and he lost his prophetic ministry.
He later died a shameful death (Numbers 22:1-41; 31:8). Judas Iscariot was lured with thirty pieces of silver and sold his Master to His enemies. He committed suicide eventually and lost the highest office on earth.
(Matthew 26:14-16; 27:3-5; Acts 1:15-20). Satan does not have any gift. His apples are generally full of worms. Whatever he offers us is in exchange for our soul. And our Lord asks,
“For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).
Eventually, God fought Pharaoh and his house for Sarah’s sake. Pharaoh and his people were afflicted because he had another man’s wife in his possession.
“And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram’s wife” (Genesis 12:17).
God had to step into the crisis Abraham was passing through because of the divine purpose for which He called him. God knew that Isaac would come through Sarah and His promise to make Abraham a great nation was to be fulfilled in Isaac (Genesis 12:1-3). Therefore the loss of Sarah to Pharaoh would only truncate His plan for Abraham. oba
God’s Omnipotence(Genesis 12:17; Job 42:2; Luke 1:37; Matthew 19:26).
The temporary loss of Sarah to Pharaoh appears irreversible. Given the nature of man, especially a powerful potentate like Pharaoh, it was unimaginable to release Sarah from the clutches of her captor. But surprisingly, Sarah was freed from Pharaoh.
“And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house To with great plagues because of Sarai Abram’s wife” (Genesis 12:17).
This is the manifestation of God’s omnipotence. It is the perfect picture of God’s sovereignty. Without any doubt, the heart of Pharaoh “is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water he turneth it whithersoever he will” (Proverbs 21:1). God reached to the heart of the king through the instrumentality of a plague, and he was left with only one choice – to let Sarah go.
How God displayed this same might years later when He wanted to bring Israel out of Egypt. He reached and disturbed Pharaoh, his household, and his people and thus, through the instrumentality of ten severe plagues, saved Israel. God’s omnipotence had always been at work. Jesus Christ said, “…with men, this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).
Whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, God’s power is able to deliver us. He is able to subdue all. If God could restore Sarah back to Abraham, He can restore whatever you have lost to you.
In restoring Sarah to Abraham, we observe the insistence of God on restitution.
All those who rationalize their adultery for whatever reason might discover too late that they had trusted in a spider’s web for their anchor. God is no respecter of persons. What He made Pharaoh do then He still insists that all those with other people’s spouses should return them to their rightful owners.
The Knowledge Of Obedient Gentiles (Genesis 12:18; 20:6-9; Romans 2:14,15; 7:22; Psalm 40:8).
“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?” (Genesis 12:18).
God’s channel of communication with Pharaoh and his obedience remains a challenge to us. One wonders how a Gentile like Pharaoh could hear from God.
Besides, how God imparts His counsel and will to human hearts when there was neither the law, the Bible, nor a teacher remains really intriguing. Down the ages, God had always communicated His will to whoever cared to listen. In the hearts of men is written the pure law of God, and they are left to obey or disobey.
This means that all men will be judged, too, and there cannot be any excuse at God’s judgment seat. “For there is no respect of persons with God” (Romans 2:11). All men who live with or without the law will be judged.
Paul puts it this way “For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many, as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shows the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another” (Romans 2:12,14,15).
Glorious Departure From Egypt (Isaiah 52:11; 2 Corinthians 6:17,18; Genesis 12:18-20; 13:1; Exodus 12:30-33; Hebrews 11:22).
“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” (Genesis 12:18-20).
The truth Abraham was trying to conceal came into the open. The king of Egypt got to know that Sarah was really Abraham’s wife, and therefore, Pharaoh had to return her to him. He ordered Abraham’s exit from his domain. The brief stay of Abraham in Egypt was marked with anxiety, darkness, and sorrow.
What a great relief it would have been for him to leave Egypt! God’s loving, gentle voice is still calling men out of the world of sin. A sinner may have a lot of gifts in “Egypt”, but he must heed the Saviour’s voice if he does not perish with the world. God’s arm of love also reaches out to backsliders, calling them out of “Egypt” to repentance, restitution, and restoration.
It is observed that people of Jewish descent who had dealings with Egypt at one time or the other decided to quit the place after some time. Jacob pleaded with his son, Joseph, not to bury him in Egypt (Genesis 47:28-30). By faith, Joseph predicted the exodus of Israelites from Egypt (Hebrews 11:22).
He also directed that his bones be carried out of Egypt (Genesis 50:24,25). But it is rather surprising to note that some still desired Egypt and her pleasures long after they had been delivered out of the place (Exodus 17:3; Numbers 11:4-6; 14:1-4). The present-day saints ought to learn from this.
No matter the state of spiritual development and advantages in the kingdom, we should watch and pray always. The temptation to go back to “Egypt” constantly comes our way. The Christian must resist all of the flesh to go back into bondage to which he was once bound.
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage”(Galatians 5:1).
Compromise and backsliding are so rampant nowadays. The soldier of the cross should stand his ground and weather all storms. The believer must regularly give himself to fervent prayers, meditative study of God’s word, and constant fellowship with believers of precious faith if he would remain victorious.
FAQS
1. Why did Abraham go to Egypt?
Abraham went to Egypt due to a severe famine in the land of Canaan, seeking food and sustenance for his family.
2. What happened to him in Egypt?
In Egypt, Abraham feared that Egyptians would take his wife, Sarah, because of her beauty. To protect themselves, they pretended to be siblings. Pharaoh took Sarah into his household, but God intervened to protect her, sending plagues upon Pharaoh’s house.
3. What should we do when faced with difficulties?
When faced with difficulties, we should seek guidance, maintain faith, and make decisions with integrity, relying on our beliefs and principles.
4. Mention some ungodly ways people follow to solve their problems.
Some ungodly ways people may resort to solving their problems include deception, dishonesty, manipulation, and taking harmful actions that go against moral and ethical values.
Conclusion
“Abraham Goes Down to Egypt” stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of ancient biblical narratives. It serves as a reminder of the human condition, where individuals, even those of great faith, must navigate the trials and tribulations of life.
Abraham’s journey to Egypt, marked by moments of doubt, deception, and divine intervention, ultimately reinforces the idea that faith and trust in a higher power are indispensable in the face of adversity.
As we reflect upon this episode in the life of Abraham, we are reminded of the timeless lessons it imparts, urging us to place our trust in the divine while navigating the uncertain journeys of our own lives.
