Abram Lies, Fearing for His Life
Abram was 75, and Sarai was 65, when he journeyed to Canaan, the land God said would belong to his offspring. They weren’t long in Canaan when a severe famine caused them to head for Egypt. Abram thought he would be safe and well-treated if he introduced Sarai as his sister instead of his wife, and she agreed with the ruse. It was a partial truth, as Sarai was his half-sister, but it was also deceptive. When Pharaoh’s officials saw how beautiful she was, they praised her to Pharaoh, who took her into his palace to make her his wife. Pharaoh lavished Abram with gifts because of Sarai.
Abram was close to losing what God had promised, not realizing how essential Sarai was to see it fulfilled. Abram failed Sarai by allowing another man to claim her, but God stepped in, becoming her champion. He brought diseases to Pharaoh and his household for her sake. When Pharaoh realized the truth, he kicked Abram out, along with his wife and everything he had. God saved her from a future in Egypt because she had a share in the promise.
Sarai’s Foolish Plan
Even though God intervened on her behalf, Sarai didn’t understand how she was integral to the promise. Knowing she was getting on in years, Sarai thought she could help Abram see the promise fulfilled by offering her Egyptian slave to bear his child. It was a bad idea, as the woman and her son brought years of trouble into their home.
When Ishmael was 13, God confirmed His promise to Abram and made a covenant with him, including changing Abram and Sarai’s names. Abraham was 99 years old, and Sarah was 89. It seemed even more unlikely that Sarah would ever give her husband a son from her womb. But a little later, God and two angels appeared, letting them know that Sarah would indeed give birth to a son the following year.
Abraham Repeats His Folly
Despite the renewed promises from God, Abraham repeated his folly when he again introduced Sarah as his sister. Once more, this half truth put Sarah’s future and their promise of offspring at stake when King Abimelek sent for her. God, however, appeared to the king in a dream with a dire warning before anything happened. Abimelek, innocent of all wrongdoing, heeded God and sent Sarah back with gifts.
Soon after, Sarah became pregnant and gave Abraham a son in their old age at the time God and the two angels had said. The promise God made to them was fulfilled despite the unnecessary troubles they brought upon themselves through fear and unbelief. She named him Isaac, because he brought laughter to her heart, and she knew anyone who heard the story would laugh too.
Tina Morley
Bible references: Genesis 12; 13:14–17; 15; 16; 17; 18:1–15; 20; 21:1–6