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The Beginning of the End
positions that test their character and reveal weaknesses of which
they were unaware. He gives them opportunity to correct these
defects showing them their own weakness and teaching them to lean
on Him. In this way they are educated, trained, and disciplined,
prepared to fulfill the grand purpose for which their powers were
given to them. Heavenly angels can unite with them in the work to
be accomplished on earth.
Abraham’s Sad Mistake
In Egypt, Abraham showed that he was not free from human
weakness. His wife, Sarah, was “very beautiful,” and he was sure that
the Egyptians would covet the lovely stranger and kill her husband.
He reasoned that he was not guilty of lying in describing Sarah as
his sister, for she was the daughter of his father, though not of his
mother.
But this was a deception. Through Abraham’s lack of faith,
Sarah was placed in great danger. The king of Egypt ordered her
to be taken to his palace, intending to make her his wife, but the
Lord, in His great mercy, protected Sarah by sending judgment on
the royal household. It was through these judgments that the king
learned he had been deceived. He reproved Abraham, saying, “What
is this you have done to me? ... Why did you say, ‘She is my sister?’
I might have taken her as my wife. Now therefore, here is your wife;
take her and go your way.”
Pharaoh’s dealing with Abraham was kind and generous, but he
told him to leave Egypt. He had ignorantly been about to commit
a serious injury against Abraham, but God had saved the monarch
from committing such a great sin. Pharaoh saw in this stranger a man
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whom God honored. If Abraham remained in Egypt, his increasing
wealth and honor would likely excite the envy or covetousness of
the Egyptians, and some injury might be done to him which might
again bring judgments on the royal house.
The matter could not be kept secret. It was seen that the God
whom Abraham worshiped would protect His servant and that any
harm done to him would be avenged. It is a dangerous thing to
wrong one of the children of the King of heaven. The psalmist says