Men in the Bible: Abraham and White Lies
Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land. And it came to pass, when he was close to entering Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “Indeed I know that you are a woman of beautiful countenance. Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you.” So it was, when Abram came into Egypt, that the Egyptians saw the woman, that she was very beautiful. The princes of Pharaoh also saw her and commended her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken to Pharaoh’s house. He treated Abram well for her sake. He had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male and female servants, female donkeys, and camels. – Genesis 12:10-16
Another standout attribute of Abraham’s, which we can unlearn, is his penchant for lying to gain access and favor. Abraham had a propensity for telling white lies as a way of self-preservation.
From the passage above, we can see how he prevailed on his wife to lie about her relationship to him, claiming that she was his sister, in order for them to gain access to and be welcomed in Egypt. After deciding to vacate Canaan, due to the famine ravaging the land, Abraham set his eyes on Egypt, but there was a problem; he sensed that the Egyptians might not be receptive to them once they learn that Sarah was his wife. So, in order to facilitate their being received while also saving his own life, he decided to doctor the identity of his wife by claiming she was his sister.
This initially worked as planned, as the Egyptians were warm towards the couple and even lavished Abraham with many gifts as Pharaoh started to warm up to the idea of taking Sarah as his own wife, by making her supposed brother happy. Abraham must have been delighted at his newfound fortune and favor in Egypt, even though he might have had remorse at having to live without his dear wife. But at least their plan worked out, and the white lie they said was well received. Not until the consequences of what the lie led to broke out.
But the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. And Pharaoh called Abram and said, “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’? I might have taken her as my wife. So Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they sent him away, with his wife and all that he had. – Genesis 12:17-16
God visited Pharaoh and his household with great plagues for taking Abraham’s wife, even when Pharaoh was not aware she was already married. God was not interested in that. He only reacted to the fundamental that was breached by Pharaoh by afflicting him severely. Not just him, but his entire household as well. So, what was to be an innocent lie and a saving grace to help someone stay safe or alive proved to be a disaster for another person, and even more people to boot.
Therefore, while Abraham’s lie about his wife’s identity earned him a temporary respite and assets in Egypt, that did not last long. Upon discovering the cause of his recent problems, Pharaoh, who was still smarting from all the afflictions that God had piled on him and his household, no longer wanted Abraham and his wife around. So he ordered that they be banished from Egypt immediately.
Selah!
Also read:
- Women in the Bible: A Paragon of Beauty
- The Benefits of Wisdom: Deliverance from Seduction and Sexual Immorality
- The Bible in 50 Words
- Build your Trust (Getting into School)
- Stagecoach Trail
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