Abram’s Failure
Text: Genesis 12:10-20
Core Idea: God remains faithful even when we are faithless. No sin is too great, no failure too deep, no shame too heavy, for the steadfast love of God to overcome. In Christ, we’re safe and secure – held firmly in His gracious embrace. Then, let’s cling to this truth so that it’ll become a source of comfort for our hearts today.
INTRODUCTION
After a three-month break, we’re finally back in the Book of Genesis – looking at how God’s salvation plan for the world all began. And because it’s been some time since we last looked at this book, let me briefly remind you of where we’ve been so far. First, we explored the days of creation – how God brought the world into being by His Word. We saw the fall of humanity through Adam’s disobedience, which brought sin and death into the world. We looked at the story of Cain and Abel – the tragic consequences of sin and the first murder in history. We walked through the account of Noah and the flood, where we witnessed both God’s judgment and His unwavering commitment to preserve His people and keep His promise. We examined the Tower of Babel, which revealed the futility of human pride and ambition. And we studied through many genealogies – as they reminded us of God’s providence, grace, and faithfulness across generations. Now, the last thing we talked about was the story of Abram – that when God called him to leave behind everything that was familiar (his country, his people, and his father’s household), Abram obeyed because he trusted the promises of God. Even though the circumstances were far from certain, Abram clung to God’s Word and worshiped through it all – an inspiring display of faith. In fact, the last thing we read was that he actually reached the place God had prepared for him. And we can’t help but wonder, “Maybe things will be different this time. Adam failed. Noah failed. But perhaps Abram will get it right.” Yet Scripture unashamedly reminds us that even the greatest heroes of faith were flawed, for they were not the promised Serpent Crusher – the One who will rescue God’s people and lead them back to the Garden, where unbroken fellowship with God is restored. So, that’s what we’re going to see today – Abram’s fall. But thankfully, that’s not the main point, for the real focus is on God, whose faithfulness and sovereign purpose far surpass Abram’s failure. Then, with that in mind, please turn to Genesis 12:10-20 – and let me read this for us.
10 Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. 11 As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.” 14 When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very beautiful woman. 15 And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. 16 He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels. 17 But the LORD inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai. 18 So Pharaoh summoned Abram. “What have you done to me?” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!” 20 Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had.
Amen. This is the Word of God for you today.
Let me share three things from this passage:
· FEAR
· CONSEQUENCES
· INTERVENTION
1) FEAR
As I mentioned earlier, Abram was living in the land that God had promised him. And even though the Canaanites still occupied the land, Abram wasn’t troubled because God had clearly said in Genesis 12:7, “To your offspring I will give this land.” Abram held onto that promise and trusted that God would continue to bless them – until there was a famine in the land. In the ancient world, famines were a serious crisis. With limited options for food preservation and no modern storage systems, people depended entirely on the success of their crops and the availability of pasture for their livestock. So, when the land dried up, families were often forced to migrate elsewhere in search of survival. That’s exactly what Jacob and his sons did – they went down to Egypt because of a famine. And it’s what Elimelek and Naomi did – they moved to Moab because of a famine (the story of Ruth). So, at first glance, Abram’s decision to go to Egypt might seem like a normal response for someone living in the ancient world. But we need to pause and remember that Abram had been called by God to go and reside in the land of Canaan. There’s no indication that God told him to wait out the famine in Egypt – nor do we read that Abram sought God in prayer before making this move. Instead, Abram decided to leave because he must have thought it was the right thing to do – because that’s what everybody else did. And this wasn’t just a temporary move – verse 10 tells us that Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while. Think about it. Abram was exactly where God had called him to be – and yet the hardship did not stop. There was barrenness in the land – and I can’t help but wonder if he was thinking, “Is this right? Did I get the call wrong? If I am where God wants me to be, why is there so much pain, chaos, and uncertainty? I obeyed – shouldn’t I be experiencing blessing, not suffering? This feels more like a curse than a promise fulfilled. If I stay here any longer, my family might starve to death. Even the Canaanites are leaving for Egypt. Maybe I should just go too. I have to do something. God will understand.” So, he went. Instead of asking God what he should do, instead of asking God to provide for his needs, instead of trusting God even in his suffering, Abram left.
Now, this doesn’t mean that he renounced God and returned to the worship of the moon gods of his past. No, it just means that in the moment of fear, hardship, and pressing need, Abram simply forgot about the Lord. Faced with uncertainty, Abram forgot the glory and power of God, who had called him out of the land of idolatry into the land of promise. Let’s be honest – isn’t this how many of us are as well? We wouldn’t renounce Jesus, but we do lose sight of Him – not because He is hiding His face from us but because we look to our own wisdom or to worldly wisdom in moments of fear and troubles. “This worked for me before.” “This is how everyone else does it.” So, we, too, journey down to our own “Egypt” – chasing after what we think is good and necessary, even if it means moving away from where God has called us to be. Think about the challenges you face in marriage, the uncertainties you wrestle with in parenting, the hurts you have experienced in friendship, and the fears you encounter in life – have you lost sight of the One who has called you out of darkness into His wonderful light? Friends, remember that your marriage, your friend circle, your school, and your workplace are not the result of chance – no, it’s exactly where God wants you to be. God has called you to be there for a purpose. Then, how can we let ourselves even consider walking away from that calling – or grow passive just because things get hard? The danger is that once we take that first step in the wrong direction, we often find ourselves repeating the same mistake again and again – which is exactly what happened to Abram.
Sometimes it’s hard to be shocked by Scripture because we’ve read it so many times, because we’re so familiar with these stories – but this is meant to startle us. Verse 11, “As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, ‘I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, “This is his wife.” Then they will kill me but will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.’” The question is often raised as to how Sarai could’ve been so attractive at the age of 65. But given that she lived to be 127, many commentators say that she was still in the prime of midlife – comparable to a woman in her 30s or 40s today. And with her striking beauty, Abram’s fear once again began to take hold of him. Now, notice that this wasn’t a decision Abram made out of deep concern for Sarai – in fact, it was just the opposite. He was more focused on preserving his own life than on what might happen to her – saving himself rather than protecting his wife. Husbands, we need to guard our hearts so that we don’t make the same mistake. Instead, we must love our wives as Christ loved the church – laying down our lives for them so that they would flourish, so that they would be protected. Now, I hope no one is thinking, “Woohyun, if you only knew half the things she does, you’d understand how hard this really is.” But if that’s what you’re thinking, let me remind you again: we’re called to love our wives as Christ loved the church. Jesus didn’t love us because we were easy to love – no, He loved us even when we were His enemies. There was no end to His love for us. And that’s how we should love our wives as well – selflessly and sacrificially. Now, I understand that this is not easy. So, what Abram should have done in the moment of his fear was to cling to God’s promises. He should’ve remembered what God said in Genesis 12:2, “I will make you into a great nation” – or Genesis 12:3, “Whoever curses you I will curse.” Had he trusted God and His Word, Abram would’ve been confident that God would make a way, and it would’ve helped him to step up with courage – protecting his wife, even if it meant putting himself at risk. These promises were meant to strengthen his heart and calm his fears – but because he chose to take his eyes off of God and His promises, because he failed to apply what he knew in the situation he was in, he leaned on his own understanding and trusted in his own plans. Now, Umberto Cassuto writes, “If he wishes to represent Sarai as his sister, it is only because he thinks that in this way he would be able to protect her honor more successfully than if he had to risk a combat with the local inhabitants in a foreign land.” So, let’s give Abram the benefit of the doubt that he wasn’t trying to harm Sarai in any way, but that doesn’t change what happened – he still exposed Sarai to danger, put their marriage at risk, and chose deception instead of trusting the Lord. His actions were foolish, selfish, and reckless.
Brothers and sisters, this passage warns us that when we begin to doubt God’s promises, we will be tempted to take matters into our own hands. Whether it’d be deception, manipulation, or force, we’ll try to escape our troubles on our own terms – which means that the only way to guard our hearts against this kind of prideful self-reliance is to anchor ourselves in the promises of God. No wonder we regularly emphasize the importance of not just reading but meditating on the truths of His Word, for it reminds us that He is able to provide, He is able to rescue, and He is able to protect. Then, let me ask you, “Are you facing trouble today? Is fear gripping your heart – fear of people, fear of failure, fear of rejection, or fear of losing something you deeply value? If so, how are you dealing with them? Are you trying to push through with sheer willpower? Are you busy crafting your own solutions to overcome the fear? Are you doing whatever it takes to protect yourself, even if it hurts others in the process? Are you following the world’s wisdom – just doing what everyone else does? Or are you turning to God? Are you bringing your fears to Him in prayer? Are you anchoring your heart in His promises? Are you learning to wait patiently for Him to act?” Let’s guard our hearts so that we won’t be ruled by fear but be rooted in faith – faith in the One who loves us and cares for us.
2) CONSEQUENCES
What’s interesting is that we don’t hear anything from Sarai – which means we’re left to wonder, “Did she say something? Did she object? Did she ask any questions? Was she scared? Was she worried? Was she reluctant in any way? Or did she comply because she trusted Abram?” We’re not told – but what we do know is that because of Abram’s foolish decision, Sarai had to bear the consequences. Verse 14, “When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very beautiful woman. And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.” In one sense, everything went as planned – Abram was not only safe, but he actually got richer in the process. But what he didn’t foresee was that his fear-driven choices would leave Sarai exposed and vulnerable – terrified in the hands of Pharaoh. That’s not all. As we’ll see in the chapters ahead, what looked like a blessing at first ended up bringing tension and pain. For example, in Chapter 13, the increase in livestock caused conflict between Abram and Lot’s herdsmen – leading them to part ways. And in chapter 16, Sarai gave Hagar, one of the female slaves acquired in Egypt, to Abram – resulting in division and heartbreak that rippled through their family for years to come. And if that wasn’t bad enough, Abram’s actions even led Pharaoh into sin. Think about how ironic that is – a pagan ruler calling out Abram, God’s chosen servant, in verse 18. Upon discovering the truth, Pharaoh confronted and said, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife?” Interestingly, Pharaoh showed more fear of God’s judgment than Abram did. He seemed to have a greater respect for the sanctity of marriage than Abram himself. And when he realized the truth about Abram and Sarai, he was angry. It’s as if he were saying, “I almost committed adultery because of your deception. Aren’t you the one who claims to follow God? Why do I seem to care more about holiness than you?” How tragic is it that someone who claimed to love God became the very reason an unbeliever was almost led into sin? Sin never stays contained – its effect ripples outward, influencing others in ways we may never have intended.
Then, here’s an application for us: we must never take our sin lightly. Abram must have thought his little lie wasn’t that bad – in fact, he might have even justified it by saying, “This is for everyone’s good.” But the Scripture shows us time and time again that what seems like a small sin can lead to tragic consequences. For example, Adam and Eve’s choice to eat the forbidden fruit brought sin and death into the world. Cain’s unchecked jealousy ended in the murder of his own brother. Moses, in a moment of anger, struck the rock instead of obeying God’s word – costing him entry into the Promised Land. David, when he stayed home instead of going to battle, made a series of choices that spiraled into adultery, deceit, and murder. I could go on and on with these examples – but the point is that no sin is truly small because every sin has the potential to produce devastating and destructive consequences. Then, take a moment to examine your life. In the way you think, in how you spend your alone time, use your phone, manage your money, approach work, or even how you drive, are you casually allowing yourself to commit sins that you consider to be small? Are you justifying them because you think it’s somehow necessary? If so, let this passage serve as a sobering reminder that sin may start small – but it’ll never stay small. Even what seems small can carry devastating consequences – which is why we must be intentional, strategic, and relentless in the work of killing sin in our lives. Then, brothers and sisters, will you do that, starting today? Don’t delay. Don’t take your sins lightly – and don’t be crushed by the weight of your guilt if you have sinned. Simply repent. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” That is an amazing promise.
Now, there’s another thing I want to point out. The truth is that there must be many of you who have been hurt by someone else’s bad decisions. Maybe it was your spouse, your children, a friend, a co-worker, a neighbor, or even someone in the church – but their sin, selfishness, or lack of wisdom has left you broken. You had to bear the consequences. If this is you, I want you to know that God hasn’t forgotten you. We’ll explore this more in the next point – but the same preserving grace that protected Sarai is available to you as well. God’s arm is not too short to save. How do I know this? Because God’s protection over Sarai was what made it possible for the Messiah to come through her line. Now, what’s interesting is that the Messiah was also a victim of others’ sins. But when He was beaten, mocked, humiliated, and ultimately crucified, God did not shield Him – God allowed Him to bear the full weight of our sin so that we could be set free. 2 Corinthians 5:21, “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” Friends, are you suffering because of someone else’s sin? God wants to comfort you. He has never left you – not for a moment. In fact, in His perfect timing, He will step in and save you, for He loves you deeply. So, cling to Him, even in the most difficult situations. He will sustain you and carry you through.
3) INTERVENTION
There’s no doubt that both Abram and Sarai found themselves in a desperate situation – Sarai was helplessly trapped in Pharaoh’s household, and Abram was completely powerless to rescue her. Yet it was in that very moment, when all hope seemed to be lost, that God stepped in – verse 17, “But the LORD inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai.” Just when it looked like the story would end in failure, we read those powerful words – “But God.” God went to war with Pharaoh in order to protect His promises, to preserve His plan of salvation, and to redeem His people. Pharaoh and his household getting sick was no coincidence – it was the work of God. And Pharaoh quickly conceded. Verse 19 – not only did he release Abram and Sarai, but he sent them away with all the gifts he had given Abram when he took Sarai into his household. Think about how shocking that is. Abram and Sarai arrived in Egypt empty-handed. Abram sinned against God and betrayed his wife. Yet instead of facing judgment, they left Egypt with more than they could’ve ever imagined. Honestly, no one would’ve been surprised if Abram had been punished (maybe even killed) for his deception. That would’ve been just. That’s what he deserved. It would only seem fair for Abram to suffer the consequences of his actions. But that’s not what happened. Instead, he left Egypt with even more wealth than when he arrived. How is that possible? That doesn’t seem fair. But isn’t that the very definition of grace – receiving what we don’t deserve? Abram didn’t earn this blessing – in fact, he had done everything that would disqualify him from it. But God blessed him anyway. He turned the bad into good – not because Abram was worthy, but because God was faithful. This story isn’t ultimately about Abram’s failure – it’s about God’s enduring commitment, sovereign grace, and unwavering love for His people.
Brothers and sisters, our God is a God who intervenes. In fact, if it weren’t for His grace, none of us would be where we are today. Matthew Henry wrote (I modernized it because it was in old English), “If God didn’t step in and rescue us time and time again – from the messes we create through our own sin and foolishness, messes we have no right to expect Him to fix, we would have been ruined long ago. But He doesn’t treat us as we deserve.” Think back to your life. Maybe God redeemed a bad decision for you and turned it into a better situation. Maybe He was generous to you when you were irresponsible. Maybe He protected you from a harmful relationship you were too blind to walk away from. Maybe He surrounded you with godly friends who challenged you, even when you weren’t pursuing holiness. Maybe He blessed you with good grades despite your laziness and procrastination. Maybe He opened a door of opportunity when you didn’t deserve it or ask for it. Maybe He brought healing when you had almost given up hope. Maybe He preserved your faith when you were ready to walk away. Maybe He carried you through a trial you didn’t even realize He was carrying you through. Maybe He patiently waited for you while you wandered – never withdrawing His love from you. All that to say, Abram’s story reminds us that God is faithful even when we are faithless – His grace goes further than we deserve, and His mercy meets us even in our failure. And nowhere is this more powerfully seen than at the cross, where Christ gave His life for us. Ephesians 2:1-5, “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world – gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.” If God did not intervene, we would still be hopelessly lost – crushed by the weight of our sins. If God did not rescue us, we would have no way of escaping the righteous wrath of God. But God did. He sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, so that we would have life and life to the full. I know I say this every single week – but that’s because we have no hope apart from this gospel truth. Friends, you can try to run your life the way you think is wise – and for a while, it might even seem like it’s working. But I guarantee you, your ways, in the end, will always lead to deeper bondage. There’s no freedom there – no safety, no comfort, no joy, satisfaction, or pleasure there. There’s only slavery, condemnation, and death. But there still is hope, and it’s found in Christ alone – the One who bore the consequences of our sins so that we go free. Jesus died for you so that you could be forgiven. So, don’t take your eyes off Him. Wait for Him. Look to Him today, for He is worthy of your trust.
CONCLUSION
Lighthouse family, God remains faithful even when we are faithless. No sin is too great, no failure too deep, no shame too heavy, no past too broken, no fear too strong, for the steadfast love of God to overcome. In Christ, we’re safe and secure – held firmly in His gracious embrace. Then, let’s cling to this truth so that it’ll become a source of comfort for our hearts today.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1) Abram went to Egypt without seeking God. Can you think of a time when fear caused you to act without prayer or discernment? What happened? Why do you think fear often leads us to rely on human wisdom rather than God’s promises?
2) How did Abram’s deception affect Sarai and Pharaoh? What does this reveal about the ripple effects of our sins? Are there “small” sins you might be tolerating in your life right now that could have bigger consequences down the road?
3) Did you ever have to bear the consequences of someone else’s sin? How did God meet you in that situation?
4) How can remembering God’s past faithfulness give you confidence in the face of fear or failure today? What step can you take this week to realign your heart with God’s promises?