Monday 12 November 2012

Background

Today's passage is the beginnings of the secondhalf of the book of Genesis, which tells the story of God'sdealings with one man, Abram, and the covenant promise that Godmakes with him. Here we discover the history of divine revelationup to the beginning of the national life of Israel. It is a storythat has been passed on orally through generations and was perhapsfirst written down around 1445BC, 3,000 years ago.

After the flood (Genesis 6-9) God needs to start again andpromises to bless Abram so that he will be a blessing to others anda great nation will be born (verse 2). But Abram is also told thatGod will curse those who curse Abram (verse 3). So he is thespecial person with a unique role in early history.

Abram, an elderly, wealthy man sets off with his wife Sarai andhis nephew Lot in response to the 'call', to find this new landthat the Lord has promised to show him. It is very clear that it isnot a straightforward journey. But it begins with a step offaith.

Canaan was hit by a famine. According to Egyptian records, itwas the custom of that time for the people of Palestine and Syriato turn to Egypt for help. (The River Nile provided a stableagricultural environment for Egypt, whereas Canaan was entirelydependent on rainfall.) The danger in Egypt arose when Sarai'sbeauty was spotted by the Pharaoh. Abram was worried that he wouldwant to marry Sarai, and would order Abram to be killed so thatthere would be no obstacle to the union. So he asked Sarai to poseas his sister. In the ancient Near East there was a well-knownsociolegal institution of fratriarchy that existed over a longperiod of time. Where there is no father, the brother assumes legalguardianship of his sister, particularly with respect toobligations and responsibilities in arranging marriage on herbehalf. Therefore, whoever wished to take Sarai to be his wifewould have to negotiate with her 'brother'. In this way, Abramcould gain time to plan escape.

Today's passage ends with the Lord afflicting Pharaoh withplagues because of Sarai, and the truth was revealed. Abram andSari were immediately sent away from Egypt by the Pharaoh into theNegeb.

To Ponder

• Abram sets off on his journey in obedience not knowing what thefuture might hold. Has something similar ever happened to you? Whatwas the outcome?

• We could say that Abram was blessed to be a blessing. Are youable to describe 'being blessed' and is there any way you could bea blessing to others today?

• Abram appears to be the Lord chosen one and yet he lies, andsends his wife away thus involving others in his deception. We seea generous Pharaoh who sends Abram on his way with 'his wife andall that he had" (v. 20). Why do you think this story is includedhere?