Famine PreparationFamine PreparationGenesis 12:10-13:4Genesis 12:10-13:4

Forest Hills Bible ChapelForest Hills Bible Chapel

17 September 200617 September 2006

Genesis 12:10-20Genesis 12:10-2010 Now there was a famine in the land, and 10 Now there was a famine in the land, and

Abram went down to Egypt to live there for Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. 11 a while because the famine was severe. 11 As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. 12 When the Egyptians see woman you are. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. 13 Say they will kill me but will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.”because of you.”

14 When Abram came to Egypt, the 14 When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that she was a very Egyptians saw that she was a very beautiful woman. 15 And when beautiful woman. 15 And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. 16 He treated taken into his palace. 16 He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, menservants and female donkeys, menservants and maidservants, and camels.maidservants, and camels.

17 But the Lord inflicted serious diseases 17 But the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai. 18 So Pharaoh of Abram’s wife Sarai. 18 So Pharaoh summoned Abram. “What have you summoned Abram. “What have you done to me?” he said. “Why didn’t you done to me?” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? 19 Why did tell me she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife? Now then, here took her to be my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!” is your wife. Take her and go!”

20 Then Pharaoh gave orders about 20 Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and on his way, with his wife and everything he had. everything he had. So Abram went up So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. 2 everything he had, and Lot went with him. 2 Abram had become very wealthy in Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold. 3 From the livestock and in silver and gold. 3 From the Negev he went from place to place until he Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier 4 and and Ai where his tent had been earlier 4 and where he had first built an altar. There where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the Lord. Abram called on the name of the Lord.

An Overview of this StoryAn Overview of this Story The Call of Abraham follows the dispersion The Call of Abraham follows the dispersion

of the nations at Babel (Babylon) – 11:1-9. of the nations at Babel (Babylon) – 11:1-9. God’s call of salvation occurs in the midst of God’s call of salvation occurs in the midst of judgment.judgment.

The calling and direction of Abraham The calling and direction of Abraham patterns the conclusion of the Flood patterns the conclusion of the Flood narrative (8:15-19). Abraham is a ‘new narrative (8:15-19). Abraham is a ‘new Noah.’Noah.’

Egypt in the Patriarchal NarrativesEgypt in the Patriarchal Narratives

The analogy of “The Big Game.”The analogy of “The Big Game.” Egypt is the place from which redemption Egypt is the place from which redemption

occurs.occurs. Abram goes down to Egypt, and departs.Abram goes down to Egypt, and departs. Joseph is sold into Egypt, his brothers Joseph is sold into Egypt, his brothers

migrate there, and his descendants are migrate there, and his descendants are redeemed from there in the Exodus.redeemed from there in the Exodus.

See Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:13-14.See Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:13-14. Genesis 12:10-3:4 is Israel’s story of Genesis 12:10-3:4 is Israel’s story of

redemption in microcosm.redemption in microcosm.

Famine PreparationFamine Preparation There was a famine in the land; famine There was a famine in the land; famine

occurred in the very center of God’s will – occurred in the very center of God’s will – 12:1012:10

The migration to Egypt – good idea or bad The migration to Egypt – good idea or bad idea?idea?

The migration led Abraham to scheme, and The migration led Abraham to scheme, and to take the role of God – 12:11-12to take the role of God – 12:11-12

Abram becomes self-centered – 12:13-16Abram becomes self-centered – 12:13-16 Abram becomes an anti-blessing – 12:17-20.Abram becomes an anti-blessing – 12:17-20. Abram returns to the place of prayer, and Abram returns to the place of prayer, and

the place of blessing – 13:1-4.the place of blessing – 13:1-4.