Fear and Deception
Genesis 12:4–6 (NASB95)
14It came about when Abram came into Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15Pharaoh’s officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. 16Therefore he treated Abram well for her sake; and gave him sheep and oxen and donkeys and male and female servants and female donkeys and camels. 17But the Lord struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18Then Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? 19“Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife, take her and go.” 20Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they escorted him away, with his wife and all that belonged to him.
Abram entered Egypt during a time of famine. Fearing for his life because of Sarai’s beauty, he asked her to say she was his sister. The Egyptians noticed Sarai and praised her to Pharaoh. She was taken into Pharaoh’s palace. Pharaoh treated Abram well for her sake, giving him livestock and servants. Yet, the Lord afflicted Pharaoh and his household with plagues.
Pharaoh summoned Abram and confronted him with three sharp questions. Pharaoh’s anger was clear. He returned Sarai to Abram and ordered them to leave Egypt with all their possessions.
Abram’s actions had serious consequences for others. His deceit put Sarai in real danger. She was taken from her husband and placed in Pharaoh’s harem. Abram’s fear led him to compromise her safety and dignity. Pharaoh, acting in ignorance, suffered because of Abram’s lie. The plagues that struck Pharaoh’s house were a direct result of Abram’s lack of honesty. Pharaoh’s household endured hardship, and Pharaoh himself was shamed and angered by the deception. Abram’s attempt to protect himself brought harm to those around him.
God intervened to protect Sarai and preserve His promise. The plagues forced Pharaoh to act, returning Sarai and sending Abram away. God’s faithfulness remained steady, even when Abram failed to trust Him fully. The story shows that God’s plans are not stopped by human weakness, but it also highlights the pain caused by a lack of truth.
Lastly, observe the foreshadowing in these verses. In Exodus, we see another Pharaoh struck by plagues because of his mistreatment of God’s people, until they are finally told to leave the land. As I have mentioned before, the stories in the Bible are connected; one leading to the next until the arrival of the Messiah in the New Testament.
Today, we must recognize the importance of truth. Allowing lies, manipulation, and deceit to spread will harm others. We are called to stand for truth and live without lies. God wants His people to trust Him and act with integrity. By choosing truth, we protect those around us and honor God’s name, even when the truth is unpopular or unwelcome.