C.I.: Abram & Sarai

Today we are beginning a new series of lessons … Bible Couples.

I. Problems in Marriage Caused by a Weak Faith, (Genesis 12)

A. First: Leaving the Place of Blessing, (v. 10a)

1. (v. 10a), “Now there was a famine in the land…”
a. God promised to “bless him” (v. 2) & to “…give this land” (v. 7). - But “Abram journeyed on”
1) God’s blessings are conditional - upon our staying within in the parameters of His condition.
2) (II Jn. 9), “Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ…!”
b. How many marriages are facing great trials – because people have left the place of blessing?
1) Ex.: the husband who shows more love for work/friends/hobbies than his wife – or one who
is dictatorial & autocratic in their marriage, (Eph. 5:33a), “…love his own wife as himself..”
2) Ex.: the wife who is too busy with outside activities to take care of her responsibilities – or
desire to be the “one in charge” in the home, (Eph. 5:33b), “…let each wife respect her...
3) God didn’t promise to bless Abram outside of the land – nor us outside of His will!!!

B. Second: Turning to the World for Help, (v. 10b)

1. (v. 10b), “…so Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land.”
a. God had promised to bless Abram – but instead of turning to God – Abram looked elsewhere.
1) One of the largest sections at Barnes & Nobles is “Self-Help.” Bibles take up only 3 shelves.
2) Of course, there is always Drs. Phil & Laura – not to mention friends/family/T.V., etc.!
b. Our first question should be, -“What does the Lord desire?!”
1) (James 4:13-16), “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we shall go to such & such
a city, - and spend a year there – and engage in business and make a profit. – Yet you do not
know… Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills … But as it is you boast in your arrogance
2) (Isa. 30:1-3), “‘Woe to the rebellious children,’ declares the Lord, ‘who execute a plan, but
not Mine & make an alliance, but not of My Spirit, who proceed down to Egypt without
consulting Me, to take refuge in Pharaoh & seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt. –Thus, the
safety shall be your shame, & shelter in the shadow of Egypt your humiliation.”

C. Third: 4 Steps a Weak Faith Takes Away from God, (vs. 11-16)

1. Step #1: Selfishness!
a. (vs. 11-12), “When he came near to Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, ‘See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman; - and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, “This is his wife”; and they will kill me, but they will let you live.’”
1) Abram was more concerned about himself than he was his wife!
2) Indeed, he was willing for his wife to be sexually abused, commit adultery, be dishonored, endangered at the hands of others – just so he would not be harmed! (what about Sarai?!)
3) This is completely opposite of what God desires – (quote Eph. 5:25)!

2. Step #2: Rationalization!
a. (v. 13), “Please say that you are my sister so that it may go well with me because of you, - and that I may live on account of you.”
1) Rationalization = “Lying to ourselves for our own benefit – and then believing our own lies!”
2) Many sins begin with the rationalization – “Nobody is getting hurt” (alcohol, illicit sex, porn)
3) God’s wisdom – not rationalization - (Jms. 3:13-15), “Whom among you is wise & under-
standing? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. – But if
you have bitter jealousy & selfish ambition in your heart [Abram], do not be arrogant & so
lie against the truth [rationalization]. – This wisdom is not that which comes down from above,
but is earthly, natural, demonic.”

3. Step #3: Co-Dependency (“Enabling”) by the Spouse
a. (vs. 14-15), “When Abram came into Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beau-tiful. – Pharaoh’s officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.”
1) Co-Dependency = “When a person’s actions/inactions contribute to the sin of another!”
2) Ex.: Buying your partner’s booze/drugs – or – looking the other way when they sin!
3) (Rom. 1:28-32), “God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not
proper … although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things….”

4. Step #4: Deception!
a. (v. 16), “Pharaoh treated Abram well for her sake; and gave him sheep and oxen and donkeys and male and female servants and female donkeys and camels.”
1) Abram was willing to “Live the Lie” – because it seemed to be working out so well for him!
2) From all appearances – Abram & Sarai had gotten themselves in so deep – that now it looked impossible to escape their sins – and return to the righteousness of God.
3) (Ezra 9:6), “and I said, ‘O my God, I am ashamed & embarrassed to lift my face to You, - for our iniquities have risen above our heads & our guilt has grown even to the heavens.”

D. Fourth: Judgment, (vs. 17-20)

1. A weak faith always leads to sin – and sin always leads to judgment! (“You sin will...,” Num. 32:23)
a. God’s judgment upon the unbelieving adulterer – (v. 17), “But the Lord struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram’s wife.”
1) Sin is sin – whether a person knows it to be sin or not!
2) (Rom. 2:11-12), “There is no partiality with God. – For all who have sinned w/o the law – will also perish w/o the law, and all who sinned under the law, will be judged by the law.”
3) “I didn’t know…!” will be no excuse in Judgment – (which is way we need to share gospel)!

b. The non-believers judgment upon the believers:
1) Public exposure for lying – (vs. 17-19a), “Then Pharaoh called Abram & said, ‘What is this
you have done to me? – Why did you not tell me she was your wife? – Why did you say, “She
is my sister,” so that I took her for my wife?’”
2) Public expulsion from Egypt – (v. 19b-20), “‘Now then, here is your wife, take her and go.’
Pharaoh commanded his men and they escorted him away, with his wife and all that belonged
to him.”

CONCLUSION (Romans 15:4): (Read chapter 13:1-4)
1. When we have sinned – the way to receive forgiveness – is to return to the place/One of blessing!
2. God’s judgment now is far better – than His judgment later (Romans 2:4-5). So… Rom. 6:1-4!!!