Genesis 12 Visiting Egypt
There is a famine in the land so Abram believes that visiting Egypt will be a good thing. Except for his beautiful wife…
I wonder what it was about Sari that set her head and shoulders above the rest of the women. Abram knows she is a ‘knock out’; so much so that he thinks he will be killed just so another can have her. God was watching over the whole family. The MOTHER of His chosen child is as important as the father.
Let’s join Abram and his company as he tries his OWN hand at protecting his ‘family’. First, let me say that if I were Sari, I would knock him flat on his behind! LETTING Pharaoh take me into his palace to be his wife when I already had a husband.
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Abram is doing ALL he can to keep his company fed; including his animals. There hasn’t been any rain for almost a year. The cities are running out of supplies. Even the grass is withering and cannot support the animals. The people are hungry and some of the animals are dying.
Abram has no fields to plow or storehouses to open. Even if he had fields, they would have withered for lack of rain. And ALL the storehouses are empty as there was nothing to put back into them to replace what was being used to keep their owners fed.
One morning Abram climbs higher on the mountain to see where relief might lie. He hopes to spot a good oasis or an area that is still lush. Abram looks out over all the land of Canaan and sees only dry hills. He turns his head toward the south and sees exactly what he is looking for. The beautiful green is coming from the land of Egypt. It has a LOT of desert places but there is water and fields with crops. This is where he will take his people.
While hurrying back to camp, Abram begins to plan out their next move. “We will go to Egypt and ask for their help. Surely, they will be willing to trade with us. Our fleeces should fetch a good price in their markets. At least enough to feed the people” he thinks. He believes he spotted the best place to cross the river dividing Canaan from Egypt too. The drought will make this task easier, and for that he is grateful.
Once back in camp, Abram starts issuing orders. “Break down the tents. Bring in the flocks and get them ready for travel.” There is much work to do before moving such a large company of people and animals.
Some of the servants are grumbling while others simply trust that he has a good reason for his orders. “I needn’t worry. These people are loyal. They will do exactly as I have command” thinks Abram as he rushes around to ensure everyone is at their task.
“Tie that bundle a little tighter. We don’t want it to spill out along the way” directs Abram as he inspects the work taking place. The servants easily take direction from Abram. Many have served him all their lives. They know he is a good leader and he is NOT afraid to pitch in when needed.
The camp is ready for travel just as the evening sun sets. The evening meal will be simple fare; something they can eat on the run. Abram wants to be on the edge of the river by morning. They will cross in the early morning and rest as soon as they are all across. It is too hot to be traveling in the daytime.
The place Abram found from the mountain will take the night to get everyone there. It won’t be like their earlier journeys. It will be a hard push to reach it but it will be worth it when they finally have food in their bellies again.
There is some grumbling and stumbling along the way. The young children are carried so they won’t get lost in the darkness. Torches lead the way so all know where they are going. And Abram’s God has provided a full moon to help light their path.
With first light, Abram and the shepherds begin to ‘encourage’ the animals to cross the river. Abram is grateful beyond words to find the place he has chosen to cross the river that the water is no deeper than his chest. “A refreshing dip for everyone” he calls out with a weary smile. Even their strong leader is ready for this experience to be over.
It takes until midday for everyone to be safely across the river. No animals were lost in the crossing, and, except for a few slips, no humans even got their faces wet; unless they wanted to. As the men settle the animals, the women prepare a meal for everyone. The children are excited by the water. The older children are tasked with making sure the younger ones don’t go any deeper than their ankles. The water is still swift and could sweep an inexperienced child downstream.
Two days have passed and the company of Abram is approaching a large city. Abram has been both looking forward to and dreading this moment. He is worried that, because of Sari’s beauty, the Egyptians will kill him to have her. He has never met an Egyptian before but he KNOWS that his wife’s beauty is enough to turn any head. It’s time to put his plan to ensure his own safety into action, and it will take Sari’s help to pull it off.
Abram pulls Sari off to the side so he can speak with her privately.
“I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance,…”
“He is up to something” Sari thinks.
“…and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live…”
“Surely this WON’T happen!” exclaims Sari.
“…Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake” (Genesis 12:11b-13)
“I knew he was up to something” thinks Sari. But as Abram’s wife, she is duty bound to obey him. She may not like it, but she will do as she is told. “I will do as you have instructed my husband. I pray that nothing bad comes of this deception.”
“I don’t see any other way. I’m sure you will be fine” assures Abram.
Abram settled his company on a hillside near town then goes to the city to bargain for supplies. He brings along a donkey laden with sheep fleeces. He quickly finds the marketplace and spots a merchant selling woven goods. “This person will at least know where I should go to sell my fleeces” he concludes. He waits for the merchant to finish with the customer he is serving before approaching.
“I would like a moment of your time” requests Abram.
“What may I interest you in?” replies the merchant.
“Actually, it is I who is hoping to interest you in something.”
“And what might that be?”
“I noticed the quality of your weavings. I have many high-quality fleece for sale. They would make excellent thread for your designs.”
“I am always watching for quality merchandise for my trade. My friend at the end of the market”, the merchant points out a man for Abram, “would most likely buy stock from you, if you are inclined to sell any.”
“I will keep that in mind” replied Abram.
The two men struck a bargain and Abram made his way back to camp. His donkey is now laden with good things to eat. He did very well in the market. The later trips would be done by the women, as they are the ones who know what is needed for the meals. He or another of his men would accompany the women for their safety though.
On Sari’s first visit to town, what Abram feared comes to pass. The Egyptians openly stare at her. Even the women can’t help but notice her beauty. In the market, Abram is forced to tell his ‘white lie’ of Sari being his sister multiple times. No one has made any advances toward her but Abram feels that those are not far off. Her presence has actually increased the merchant’s willingness to strike more favorable bargains. Abram wrestles with the dilemma of hiding her for his protection or using her for bargaining power.
On the way out of town the two of them discuss their visit.
“Did you see the way they looked at you” Abram asks.
“I did. It is little more than the way any man looks on me in a new town” Sari replies with a shrug.
“I’m glad we agreed to introducing you as my sister instead of my wife. I probably wouldn’t have made it out of there alive if not.”
“I don’t know if that is true. It appeared to me that some of the men actually became more interested when they believed I was unmarried. This feels like a dangerous ‘game’ to me.”
“No one would dare touch you as my sister without my permission.”
“I suppose you are right. And what if someone asks your permission?”
“I will refuse of course. You are after all, my wife. I will make up some excuse as to why you are not free to marry another.”
“It is probably best if you avoid going into town as much as possible though, just to be safe” Abram adds.
Sari enjoyed seeing the sights of the town after so long separated from cities. She will find some reason to return but those reasons must be infrequent.
Three days after Sari’s first visit, talk of her has reached the Pharaoh of Egypt. The reports of her beauty are so great that Pharoah decides he must see her for himself. He is always on the look out for exceptional ‘things’ to acquire for himself.
Due to a second visit to town from Sari, her whereabouts have been discovered. One of Pharaoh’s servants followed her back to Abram’s company and reported it back to his master. The next morning Abram finds Pharaoh himself in his chariot on the edge of his company.
“You do my camp a great honor. How can I repay that honor” asks Abram from a humble stance.
“I would like to see the woman who is your sister. I have heard many things about her beauty and I wish to judge for myself.”
Abram’s knees almost buckle at Pharaoh’s words. “What does he want with Sari? Will he take her from me? Will he kill me? IF he takes her, will she reveal the truth?”
To Pharoah, Abram nods and turns to one of his servants. “Go and fetch Sari. The king of this land requests her presence.”
The servant quickly informs Sari of Pharaoh’s request.
Sari sends the servant back with a message that she will be along shortly. She must not appear before Pharaoh as she is, with hair coming loose and flour on her face. She quickly changes her clothes, washes her face and fixes her hair. There isn’t time to apply kohl to her eyes. This she had picked up in the marketplace and was sure it would please any Egyptian as much as it pleased her husband.
Sari approaches the men. Pharaoh’s mouth nearly drops open as he sees her. Her hair glistens in the sun and her eyes shine like the stars. Her figure is perfect with well rounded breasts and hips made for bearing children. She will be a perfect addition to his household.
“I would have her as my own” orders Pharaoh.
“But she is promised to another” replies Abram.
“Has she married that other? I would see the man who allows such beauty to wait until it passes before taking her as his wife.” demands Pharaoh.
“He is not with us my lord.”
“Then I claim her as my own.” Pharoah turns to his servant. “Pay her brother the bride price immediately.” Pharoah next addresses Sari. “You have no need to pack my dear as I will provide all you need.” Pharaoh holds out his hand to Sari and bids her to take it.
Sari throws a pleading glance Abram’s way but he closes his eyes to her distress. He has no idea how to undo this.
Sari steps up into the chariot with Pharaoh and they depart for his palace. Sari’s heart is beating as fast as a bird within her. She doesn’t know what to do either. She closes her eyes and sends a quick prayer towards Abram’s God. “Please protect me.” She isn’t even certain HE heard her or will save her.
Once they reach the palace, Sari is turned over to the head eunuch. He will provide for her needs, including providing beauty treatments for a full two weeks before she will be brought into Pharaoh.
Upon hearing that she has two weeks before being placed in Pharaoh’s arms gives her small hope. “Abram please help me” she silently pleads.
The morning after Sari arrived at the home of Pharaoh, things start to go badly. Mirrors breaking was the first ‘calamity’ of the morning. Next, flies began swarming the kitchen so badly that the cook ran from the room. Things went from bad to worse from there. Within a week, flies, frogs, roaches and even spiders were in every room throughout the palace. Not even Pharaoh’s bath was safe from invasion by these plagues. To top that off, boils had appeared on the skin of all but Sari.
This last plague identified the source of his trouble for Pharoah. “The gods are punishing me for taking the woman as my own.” Pharaoh called for Sari to stand before him. “Tell me the truth! Are the gods punishing me on account of you?”
“I do not know my lord, but it may be so.”
Pharaoh immediately knew the answer and the reason. “Are you the wife of Abram, or are you his sister?”
“I am both my lord. I am his wife but we share a father, so I am his sister also.”
Pharaoh dropped his head in his hands and scrubbed his face with his palms. He then turned to his servant. “Bring Abram to me NOW!” Pharaoh then offered Sari a place to sit, across the room from where he was, and wait for her husband to claim her.
Abram appeared before Pharaoh within the hour. As soon as Abram stopped in front of Pharaoh’s throne, Pharaoh cried out, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? Why did you say, ‘She is my sister’, so that I took her for my wife?…”
Abram started to speak but Pharaoh held up his hand to silence him.
“…Now then, here is your wife; take her, and go” (Genesis 12:18b-19) Pharaoh commanded.
As Sari stood to join Abram, Pharaoh turned to his servant again.
“Be certain that NO ONE harms this man or any that belong to him. See them safely to the edge of Egypt and see to it that they DO NOT remain in the land. See that they and their herds have provisions for their journey and that none leaves here hungry or ill.”
Abram was shocked to hear Pharaoh’s words. He expected to be killed for his deception or at least lose all that he owned. Instead, Pharaoh is sending them out fed and safe! “This MUST be the hand of God on our behalf” thinks Abram. He had been secretly praying that his God would somehow make this right again.
Abram and all his company leisurely make their way back to the place where they crossed the river. Pharaoh’s servants made certain all crossed in safety before returning to him with the news.
The night after Abram and his company crossed the river, the rains came to Canaan. It rained for days on end, soaking the parched ground and reviving the empty streams. When the sun returned, all the land around began to spring up with new grasses and the hills were as green as far as Abram’s eyes could see. “To think, only a month ago, this land was dry as a bone and broken. That is exactly how I felt while Sari was in the hands of Pharaoh” Abram mused.
Things would still be difficult as it would take time to replenish the storehouses before everyone would consider the famine a thing of the past. The provisions Pharaoh had given to Abram would see his people safely through the interim.
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I have often wondered how Pharaoh KNEW the answer to his troubles. We are not told in the bible. I hope my ‘explanation’ is at least a plausible answer. This will not be the last time that Abram employs that ‘white lie’ to save his skin. Actually, after reading the story of the second time this ‘white lie’ got him in trouble, I see that Abram asked Sari to always say that she was his sister once they left the land of Haran.
Imagine how vulnerable that ‘white lie’ left Sari. Twice she was almost forced into the bed of another man. What other indignities did she have to endure for Abram’s safety? Man’s plan definitely got in the way of God’s plan. We see though that God’s plans cannot be derailed!
Father God, thank You for sharing this story with me. For letting me walk in it today. I pray I have honored You with my imaginative telling of it. I look forward to walking with You through MANY MORE stories! I LOVE seeing where You take me in them.
