Genesis

Lesson 25Abram in Egypt

10 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. 11 As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, "I know what a beautiful woman you are. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you." 14 When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very beautiful woman. 15 And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. 16 He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels. 17 But the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai. 18 So Pharaoh summoned Abram. "What have you done to me?" he said. "Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? 19 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!" 20 Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had. Genesis 12:10-20 [NIV]

Beginnings

In this lesson’s study, we follow Abram, his family, his servants, and his flocks and herds, down to Egypt, as the famine in the land was great. Egypt would have been a logical place to go during a famine, since life along the Nile enjoyed the Nile River and the green belt that followed along its four thousand miles. For some additional insight into how lush and fertile the Nile River was at that time, read Genesis 13:10—which we will examine further in the next lesson.

Review the above scripture as well as those referenced below and respond to the following questions:

  1. When Abram was preparing to enter Egypt, he asked his wife to lie for him. Why? (See Genesis 12:11-13)
  2. Why would Abram have believed that the Pharoah of Egypt would even be aware of Sarai, as most people leaving the famine and coming into Egypt would never have been known by the Pharaoh?
  3. Why would the Pharoah be interested in a beautiful old woman if his current harem (wives and concubines) consisted of beautiful young women?
  4. Read the following passages and note the parallels to Queen Esther. You should then be able to more easily understand why Sarai would have been chosen, and what her life as a secondary wife would have been like. Note for each verse below how it relates to our understanding.
    1. Esther 2:3,8
    2. Esther 2:9
    3. Esther 2:11
    4. Esther 2:12
  5. As recorded in Genesis 12:16, why did the Pharoah give gifts in exchange for Sarai?
  6. Why were camels included in these gifts? (see Genesis 12:16)
  7. How did Pharoah discover that Sarai was actually Abram’s wife and that he had done something very wrong in marrying another man’s wife. See Genesis 12:17-20.

Lessons from Abram’s Visit to Egypt

  1. What can we learn from Abram and his experience?

As we continue to study the life of Abraham, we will see that he continues to grow in his faith and in his walk with God. Although he does not do this perfectly—none of us do—clearly his journey into Egypt and back to the land of Canaan has strengthened his walk and his faith. We will see another example of this in the next lesson, which recounts the time at which Abram and Lot go separate ways.

Have a great week everyone!

In Christ,

Wes

[2022]

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