Genesis 46 - Abram's Exodus

God's word is from Genesis 12:10 to 20.

 

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. 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.” 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. But the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai. So Pharaoh summoned Abram. “What have you done to me?” he said. “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? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!” Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had.”

Amen.

 

Review of Abraham's Calling and the Life of the Gospel

Abraham's life begins to change from the time God calls him in Ur. And we have been confirming over several weeks the image of God continuously calling him, even when Abraham stayed in Haran, and when he headed towards Canaan. He likely accumulated wealth in Haran without much difficulty. Therefore, the Bible records that when he left Haran, he took all his possessions with him.

 

Life Lived by the Gospel: Changes in Nation, Relationship, Worship

And through the image of Abraham actually leaving the world, we examined together the contents of the gospel. First, he experienced his nation changing. Living belonging to the earth, thinking the world was his everything, he came to know there is a kingdom of God for him, and that he was called to the kingdom of God. And the event occurred where all the relationships he had formed changed. Not only the relationship with the relatives he had been with until then, but God showed and promised Abraham the church, the offspring of promise, namely the community of Israel, or the community called the church, as his family. This is a very important lesson for us too, living in the local church. Because this means our family members have increased. We must, of course, care for and be with the family members related by blood, but now we have acquired another family. And the Bible declares that the Holy Spirit God made this family one. And we saw the gospel where the object and method of worship changed for Abraham who had worshipped idols, moving towards God, and God declared to such an Abraham that he himself is the blessing.

 

First Trial in the Land of Canaan: Famine

After that, Abraham started from the north, passed through Shechem and Bethel, and came down to the Negev desert region, translated as the South country in our Korean Revised Version. And there, he faces another new change in his life. Abraham, who came down to the Negev region, encounters a severe drought and suffers a famine. In a way, this must have been a tribulation entirely unexpected by Abraham, who had entered Canaan. Not only did he believe in God, but he came to the place God commanded, relying on God, so it would be natural for Abraham, and indeed us, to expect the blessing God gives. Because God also promised to give blessings. However, the first thing that happened immediately upon entering Canaan was that he encountered a famine.

 

Danger of Result-Oriented Interpretation (Hardship then Ease vs. Gospel)

We who know the end of this story easily think that although Abraham met famine, God ultimately made him richer through it. And indeed, the next passage records it this way. Genesis 13:1 and 2. “So Abram went up out of Egypt—he and his wife and all he had, with Lot—to the Negev. Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.” This is the event where Abraham goes up again from Egypt to the Canaan region. At that time, Abraham's possessions had become very abundant, enabling him to live a much more prosperous life than before.

 

Therefore, looking only literally, it could be an instructive story that Abraham, who obeyed God, although he initially faced difficulties and hardships, eventually became much richer. However, accepting this story as a lesson of 'hardship then ease' (gojin gamrae), where serving God well ultimately leads to blessings, seems problematic. In reality, this passage is difficult for us readers to easily understand. If the conclusion of this passage is 'hardship then ease', it means believers eventually receive blessings even if they use cunning tricks, which is entirely contrary to what the Bible says.

 

Abraham's Mistake: Passing His Wife Off as His Sister

Abraham passed his wife off as his sister. Yet, if the Bible's lesson is that Abraham received such blessings despite this, it is hard to accept. If so, we come to question what the Bible intends to tell us through this story.

 

God's Intervention: Plagues on Pharaoh

When Abraham introduced his wife Sarah as his sister and brought her before Pharaoh, Pharaoh faces great plagues. But this is also strange. Ultimately, Abram was the one who lied. Yet Pharaoh is receiving the plagues. Doesn't this seem strange as you read this passage?

 

Abraham's Exodus: Foreshadowing Moses' Exodus

Let's consider why such a thing happened. If God's plague had fallen upon Abraham who lied, we could have understood it more easily. Because the cause of this incident was Abraham's lie. However, the one who received the plague was Pharaoh, and Abraham, instead of receiving God's plague, develops a story where he leaves Egypt proudly with all the possessions Pharaoh gave him due to it.

 

However, if you carefully compare the structure of this story with the Exodus event of Moses, you will notice overlapping contents between the two stories. That is, the story of Abraham going to Egypt and coming out again is closely related to the later Exodus of the Israelite people. Let's examine this in detail from now on.

 

Abraham faced a life crisis called famine. And he tried to overcome that crisis using what he considered a very wise method. However, that method brought him a new crisis. It was losing his wife to Pharaoh. Pharaoh took Abraham's wife to make her his own. A greater crisis had arrived. But in that crisis situation, God gave plagues to Pharaoh, and all of Abraham's problems were resolved.

 

Abraham's Trip to Egypt: Wrongdoing or Unavoidable Choice?

To properly understand the meaning of this story, we think a lot. ‘Indeed, because God loved Abraham, he eventually received blessings despite using such deceit.’ Simultaneously, seeing the famine come upon Abraham after entering Canaan, we think that hardship can also come to believers who live following God's word. And we think Abraham's first mistake at this time was going down to Egypt when the famine came. Since the place God commanded was Canaan, we understand Abraham going down to Egypt, which God did not command, due to such famine was wrong, and eventually, God, seeing Abraham suffering in Egypt for not listening to His word, rescues Abraham and takes him away.

 

However, this interpretation has several points that remain unexplained. First, it is true that God never commanded Abraham to go down to Egypt. However, looking at Abraham's previous movements, we can see that when he first entered Canaan, he went to Shechem and then down to Bethel. Even then, there is no record in the Bible of God telling Abraham to go down to Bethel. Furthermore, he went down to the southern region called the Negev, and this too was not commanded by God. But at those times, God did not rebuke Abraham for these actions. That is, although we can easily speculate that a problem arose for Abraham simply because he moved to a place God had not spoken of, the Word says the Bible is not telling the story that way.

 

Meaning of 'Sojourn': Temporary Stay

Rather, the Bible seems to support Abraham. The first basis for this is the opening verse, ‘Now there was a famine in the land’. The fact that famine occurred is repeated twice in this verse, showing that Abraham going down to Egypt to sojourn had sufficient reason. Because the famine is emphasized in this verse. It shows that Abraham did not have many options at this time, and thus describes going down to Egypt, one of the most prosperous nations at the time, as if it were a natural choice.

 

The second basis is the word ‘sojourn’ used in this verse. I don't know how it is now, but previously, Korean expatriates residing in the US had to get a 'temporary residence' (georyu) certificate if they wanted to stay in Korea for a certain period. It's probably the same now. This temporary residence certificate is different from a permanent residency card issued to people who came with the purpose of residing continuously in one place. Because this temporary residence means allowing a temporary stay, not permanent living. Therefore, the purpose of issuance is different from permanent residency. In other words, Abraham did not migrate to Egypt to live there, but went to stay temporarily to escape the famine. It wasn't that he disobeyed God's command and went down to Egypt, but the purpose was to stay briefly in Egypt and then return to Canaan. That is why the Bible intentionally used this word ‘sojourn’. Abraham absolutely did not migrate to Egypt as his destination. Then isn't that something commendable? Thinking of returning to the promised land again while migrating temporarily.

 

However, in that place he went to stay temporarily, Abraham briefly employed a cunning trick out of fear that he might lose his life. He thought he would be safe if he did that. But the matter became bigger.

 

God's Silence and Pharaoh's Rebuke

Because of that lie, he had to send Sarai to the king of Egypt. Then what do you think God would do upon appearing to Abraham? Would He rebuke Abraham for deceiving the king of Egypt with a lie? Or would He tell Abraham, who rashly went down to Egypt, to return to Canaan? We can think of various other situations, but God simply let all these things happen. And Pharaoh, who took Sarah, receives punishment instead.

 

When the situation reaches this point, you should now be able to view this Bible story from a slightly different perspective. We currently think of the protagonist of this story as Abraham. But in reality, Abraham does not even receive punishment for his lie. In this story, Abraham does not play the role of the protagonist. Then is Pharaoh the protagonist? There is some basis for seeing it that way. Let's examine the scene where Pharaoh, having suffered great plagues, calls Abraham and questions him. ‘What have you done to me?’ he asks. This exact same phrase appears earlier in Genesis, which we examined. It is the word God spoke to Eve in chapter 3: “What is this you have done?” It is a sentence using the exact same words in Hebrew. So, using the same tone through Pharaoh's mouth as God used with Eve intentionally shows that Abraham's sin was extremely serious. Just like the sin Eve committed, Abraham's lie, committed to preserve his own life, implies its depth and magnitude of sin.

 

Then why was Abraham's sin so frightening and serious? Strictly speaking, it wasn't even a complete lie. Because Sarah was actually Abraham's half-sister. But since he hid the fact that she was actually his wife, it was undoubtedly a lie. Then was this really such a great sin?

 

Center of the Story: Sarah and Protection of God's Promise

The core the Bible wants to show us is neither Abraham nor Pharaoh. The Bible was focusing on the woman named Sarah. Because God had chosen Sarah as the person through whom the offspring of the woman, who would save all nations, would be born. Pharaoh had taken that Sarah, and because of that, Pharaoh faced plagues. Because other than that, Pharaoh had done nothing wrong at all. Yet the reason God sent great plagues upon him was precisely because of Sarah. Therefore, the core of the story in this text was neither Abraham nor Pharaoh, but precisely Sarah. Endangering her was the biggest problem. Because God had already prophesied that the offspring of the woman would come through Sarah, and keeping that promise was the work God showed throughout biblical history. Therefore, this is the history of salvation God shows through Sarah.

 

Lesson (1): Why Does Hardship Come? (Heavenly Blessing)

If you have understood this, let's talk about four lessons we should take away from this story today. First is the story about the famine Abraham encountered. It concerns the thought that since Abraham entered Canaan, he should naturally receive blessings, and since we believe in Jesus, we too should naturally receive blessings. Receiving blessings is, of course, correct. Because God declared blessings upon Abraham. I ask you too: You who believe in Jesus, have you received blessings? Are you people who have believed Christ and received blessings, people who possess blessings? As I have mentioned several times in sermons, you are people who have received blessings, bundles of blessing.

 

Okay, then let's return to a practical question. In your opinion, how much do you think you are enjoying those blessings? Is there anyone who truly thinks, 'I am fully enjoying those blessings even realistically'? If so, you are truly a person of faith. However, we know well how difficult it is to become such a person of faith. Because living in the world, there are countless painful and difficult things, distressing and upsetting things. Yet, by faith, we confess that we are those who enjoy blessings. Because we are people who enjoy heavenly blessings, completely different from worldly blessings, blessings that worldly people cannot know.

 

If we know and confess the answer to that question, which might not seem like a clear answer, then Abraham also needs to know it.

 

This Land is Not All

Canaan was not the end. And in Canaan, he faced famine. For Abraham, what he should hope for was not just Canaan. Everyone, when things don't work out well even though you believe in Jesus and live led by the Lord, when upsetting things keep happening, and many difficulties arise even within the family, you must have thought that such hardships shouldn't exist while walking with the Lord. So, to the many who were upset, let me tell you the reason why you cannot feel great happiness on this earth. You might be upset or feel wronged by this answer, but for you, this earth is not the end. Therefore, you cannot possess or enjoy complete happiness on this earth. If this earth were too wonderful for you, no one would want to go to heaven. If everything you do on this earth goes well, you possess immense wealth you can never spend, and have health that seems like you'll never die, who would hope for heaven?

 

Life of a Sojourner: Looking to the Eternal City

Because the world is a place that lets us know the kingdom of God is our ultimate reality, famine is bound to exist in that land, and we experience that famine. Of course, this is not the only reason famine came. There are other reasons included, such as training you and making you worthy children of God. That is why the confession in Hebrews could become Abraham's confession of faith: “By faith Abraham lived as a stranger in Canaan and looked forward to the eternal city.” If everything in the world had been good for Abraham, it would have been difficult to make such a confession.

Therefore, the reason God permitted Abraham to go to Egypt was to show Abraham more clearly the nature of the blessing God had promised him. His blessing is not a simple blessing, but a blessing that shows the Exodus, coming down to Egypt and then coming out from it again. This is the first content related to famine that we must remember and think about in our own lives.

 

Lesson (2): Faith That Fears the World

Second is the fact that when Egypt was before Abraham's eyes, he was extremely afraid. It is the fear of losing his own life. It is not different at all from our appearance, fearing the world, fearing losing our possessions and even our lives because of it. During this pandemic period we are facing now, we must be careful and make efforts for our own health as well as the health of our community and all members of society.

 

Duality of the Believer: Heavenly Hope and Worldly Responsibility

However, at the same time, what we must not forget is this: Our hope is not just about living long and healthy on this earth. We are people who know the kingdom of God that the Lord has prepared for me. Like the heart Paul had, it is better for me to dwell in the kingdom of God with God and Christ, but I am living here now with the mission and purpose God has allowed me to live on this earth. We are people who live thinking about what God wants from us on this earth. Therefore, for believers, these two facts must coexist.

 

Tension in the World: Conflict of the People of God's Kingdom

If one leans wrongly towards one side, living looking only towards heaven, one might think it's okay to do anything, and thereby might actually harm oneself or others. On the other hand, if we try too hard to cherish and protect only our own lives and possessions, you end up living like people without hope for heaven, and can become people incomprehensible to worldly people. Worldly people cannot trust the appearance of such believers who speak of heaven while clinging so strongly to the world. What would worldly people think hearing hymns like ‘Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go’ (Korean: 그 어디나 하늘나라 - Anywhere is Heaven) sung by such believers? Therefore, we must be people who hold these two together, and that creates tension in our lives. Knowing that the kingdom of God awaits us while living on this earth, and therefore living out that kingdom of God on this earth today, not being deceived by all the values the world holds dear, but cherishing the kingdom of God while living – this is precisely the conflict and tension of believers.

 

It doesn't make sense for someone who believes in Jesus to live without conflict and without any tension. Because if we live as believers, we cannot help it. The kingdom of God and the kingdom of this earth clash within me very often, and at such times, tension can arise, and yet, on the other hand, we also enjoy peace and joy because of it. Because we can know even more greatly that I possess the kingdom of God.

 

True Happiness: Walking with Christ Through Suffering

Likewise, Abraham cherished his own life and possessions. Therefore, although he knew what blessing he would receive through the offspring of the woman, he tried to protect his own life directly, and tried to protect his possessions with his own strength. Because of that, he ultimately could not help but fear Egypt. He couldn't help but fear the world, and the circumstances he faced and the events he was experiencing were fearful.

 

You too can face hardship in this world. You too can be pained and hurt on this earth. But it must not discourage you, make you tremble in fear, or allow your life itself to collapse. You must not lose sight of the fact that nothing can snatch you away who are in Christ Jesus, how firmly you are within God's power, within God's hand. Therefore, although you might feel confused in your heart for a moment, struggle, and feel upset because you don't understand, you are people who eventually come to confess the hand of God's grace that comes upon us all.

 

A believer is not happy because there is no suffering, but happy because even in that suffering, there is Christ who experiences all that suffering together with me, and because they know that Christ is ultimately preparing the eternal kingdom for us. The Bible calls that Sabbath rest. We are people who rest with the Lord.

 

Lesson (3): Danger of 'Hanger-on' Faith

Thirdly, the content we examined through today's story concerns the content of Abraham's faith. It is the fact that Abraham thought he could survive through Sarah. He was a person who knew Sarah was needed to solve his problems. So he deceives, calling her his sister. Can we perhaps describe Abraham's faith as a 'hanger-on' faith? Abraham,

knowing God would make him and his descendants a blessing through Sarah, yet instead of believing in the offspring promised through Sarah, had a stronger desire to use her to resolve the immediate difficulty and gain benefit.

 

Self-Protection Using Sarah (Genesis 20)

A similar incident is repeated later, and an event occurs that reveals Abraham's identity of faith. It's a story from Genesis 20, but I will read it in advance. “And when God had me wander from my father’s household, I said to her, ‘This is how you can show your love to me: Everywhere we go, say of me, “He is my brother.”’” This is what Abraham said to his wife Sarah when the same incident happened later. He is repeating the same cunning trick. This passage uses a word indicating Abraham is strongly requesting Sarah, not that he momentarily conspired with her. When the same situation occurred, he made the request to Sarah even more strongly. And the words that follow are even more breathtaking: “This is the kindness you are to do me.”  

 

What this passage means is this: Abraham clearly knew he would protect his life through Sarah in all difficult circumstances. However, this is entirely different from the reason God gave Sarah according to the Bible.

 

Critique of Faith That Uses God

This is similar to this: You know Jesus well. And you say you believe in God. However, for you, Jesus is still your hanger-on, you are someone who calculates only the benefits you will receive through Jesus, and you think Jesus Himself is not your salvation - Abraham is doing the exact same thing. Believing in God solely for oneself. The reason for attending church is also for oneself. Because I don't want to go to hell. Perhaps the thought arises in the heart that believing in Jesus might be necessary, but that's all.

 

God's Salvation: Despite Abraham's Failures

Although it is clear to anyone that this is still inadequate faith, despite Abraham knowing God's great promise, yet unable to fully trust that promise, still pursuing his own benefit and living a self-centered life of faith, God does not abandon him but rather is saving him - this is the love of God the Bible wants to show us through this story.

 

Does this bring some relief? However, while offering comfort, this is also a word of lesson that should make Abraham and us alert. It is a word demanding true trust from us. Like Abraham's hanger-on faith, there are many times for us too when Jesus exists as a hanger-on in my life. He gives me comfort sometimes, gives peace, and Jesus whom I can reach out to in difficult times is all that's needed for me. The fact that He becomes the master of my entire life, and the purpose of my life becomes the Lord, is considered quite burdensome in some respects. Because thinking about such faith itself is difficult.

 

Faith where God is not at the core and center of our faith, but where you place yourself at the center and keep God beside you, is not faith. The core of our faith is not the faith itself that you possess, nor the confession coming from my lips. The core of our faith is Jesus Christ Himself. When our faith is not centered on Jesus, but we are in that position, we cannot abandon the benefits we seek to receive, and even come to call it grace. However, as you know, such faith, while claiming to believe in Jesus, still amounts to setting Jesus up as a hanger-on. Abraham now is still not confessing a faith where God is at his center, but showing a faith that uses Sarai.

 

Abraham's Exodus: What is True Wealth?

Yet, God punishes Pharaoh instead of Abraham. Because by rescuing Sarah, He intends to rescue Abraham. For this, God first saves Sarah. And eventually, He saves Abraham. He went to Egypt due to famine and eventually comes out of Egypt. Because this event of Abraham is an event of salvation. Because it is an event of Exodus. When the Israelites who came out of Egypt from the land of Goshen first headed out, their destination was not the land of Canaan flowing with milk and honey. It was the wilderness. But because that was not the core of the Exodus, the wilderness posed no problem. When Abraham, who took refuge in Egypt to escape the famine, came out of Egypt again, although the famine was not yet resolved, Abraham was no longer destitute. He had become prosperous.

 

Correct Focus of Testimony: God-Centered

That is the core of this story today. Among the many testimonies we have heard, you might have heard testimonies like this: Someone who didn't believe in Jesus well and lived arbitrarily had their business completely fail and disappear, and at a revival meeting, prayed and repented of their wrongdoing to God. Up to this point is indeed good, but the content that often follows is that afterwards, God gave blessings, the company made so much money it couldn't be handled, and the story ends with receiving the blessing of a successful business. This is not the end of our salvation spoken of in the Bible. It's not that the blessing you received is bad. And I am certainly not mocking the fact that you received such blessings. Such blessings can exist for you, but the Bible tells us that blessing is not the purpose of your faith. Realizing through that blessing that God is alive, that He holds onto my life, and is the center of my life - that is the core and destination of your faith.

 

Resolving Life's Problems: The Seal of Jesus Christ

Only by doing so can we, like the prophet Habakkuk, praise God even when everything we have disappears. Only then can we say we can rejoice in the Lord even if everything disappears. Learning that is our life, our faith journey. Learning what it means to be satisfied with God, what it means to live centered on Jesus Christ, must become the purpose of our lives.

 

Therefore, in fact, God permits most of the things we do. Even things we feel we judged wrongly, God often does not intentionally prevent. Rather, He gives us wisdom and courage, makes us decide many things, makes us strive, and allows us to do those things. However, in all those situations, God does not help us achieve the solutions we envision, nor does He reveal the ultimate methods of resolution. Instead, in all situations where your problems are resolved, He wants the seal of Jesus Christ to be stamped on those events.

 

There can be difficulties in your family. Even in families that believe in Jesus, difficulties can arise in the relationship between husband and wife. Communication might break down, and it can be hard for many reasons. To resolve this, you might receive counseling, or look for various solutions through books. All such worldly efforts and practices might be effective to some extent. However, despite all that, acknowledging we are sinners by nature, realizing we are people who need Christ Jesus, and therefore realizing that the restoration of these broken relationships is possible because of Christ Jesus; knowing what kind of sinner I am, and what kind of forgiveness I have received, therefore realizing there is no one I cannot forgive - that is precisely the process of being born again as a true family of God, and the Word says the name of Jesus Christ must be stamped on this work. Without that, you might cover it up and wait for it to rot away and disappear, but the solution spoken of in the Bible in the true sense does not come.

 

True Victor of the Story: Sarah (Channel of Promise)

At the most important core of this Abraham event too, lies precisely that Christ. Therefore, the victor of this event is not Abraham. The victor of this event is certainly not Pharaoh either. The victor of this event is precisely Sarah. Through Sarah, God lets us know that the offspring of the woman is the Passover lamb, an event that ultimately manifests through the Exodus, and explains to us what true wealth is and the salvation that results from it.

 

Our Journey: Are We Living in Christ?

Perhaps you, like Abraham, are in the process of going down to Egypt. Some, seeing the plagues that befell Pharaoh there, might be thinking about who they should rely on. Some, like Abraham who was saved together with Sarah, might be in the midst of walking out through that path of salvation together with Jesus Christ. Wherever you are, the question you must not forget and always consider is whether you are currently living because of Christ Jesus. Only what is stamped with the seal of Jesus remains in your life. No matter how healthy you are now, how many possessions you have, or how wonderfully your children have grown, or even if you have left many achievements in this world, if the seal of Jesus Christ was not stamped together on these thankful events, eventually, everything disappears. Then what does it mean for the seal of Jesus Christ to be stamped? It refers to bearing the fruit of the Spirit that God intended through those events. It asks whether the life through Christ that God intended has appeared in you.

 

The church building I built, having lived my whole life for Jesus, might number ten, and the faith history of our family, served excellently, might span three or four generations. But within all those things, does Jesus Christ remain, and do the things Christ promised remain? Even if all those things disappear, does the name Jesus Christ remain with me? That will be the question you must ask yourselves before God today.

 

Closing Prayer

Let us pray! Loving Lord, through Abraham, we are learning how You fix and hold onto our weaknesses through Christ on the path we walk together with Jesus Christ. Just as we learned through the Exodus event of Abraham, Lord, help us know where we can make mistakes, do wrong, and what lies within the true solution, and let us not try to live like Abraham, but let the precious determination to live together with Christ be in the lives of the beloved saints. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!