Abraham, the Father of All Believers
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into positions that test their character and reveal weaknesses hidden
from their own knowledge. He gives them opportunity to correct these
defects. He shows them their own weakness and teaches them to lean
upon Him. Thus they are educated, trained, and disciplined, prepared
to fulfill the grand purpose for which their powers were given them.
Heavenly angels can unite with them in the work to be accomplished
on earth.
Abraham’s Sad Mistake
In Egypt, Abraham gave evidence that he was not free from human
weakness. Sarah was “fair to look upon,” and he doubted not that the
Egyptians would covet the beautiful stranger and slay her husband.
He reasoned that he was not guilty of falsehood in representing Sarah
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as his sister, for she was the daughter of his father, though not of his
mother.
But this was deception. Through Abraham’s lack of faith, Sarah
was placed in great peril. The king of Egypt caused 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 upon the royal household.
By this means the monarch learned the deception practiced upon him.
He reproved Abraham, saying, “What is this that thou hast done unto
me? ... Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to
me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.”
Pharaoh’s dismissal of Abraham was kind and generous, but he
bade him leave Egypt. He had ignorantly been about to do him a
serious injury, but God had saved the monarch from committing so
great a sin. Pharaoh saw in this stranger a man whom God honored.
Should Abraham remain in Egypt, his increasing wealth and honor
would likely excite the envy or covetousness of the Egyptians, and
some injury might be done him which might again bring judgments
upon the royal house.
The matter could not be kept secret, and it was seen that the God
whom Abraham worshiped would protect His servant and that any
injury done him would be avenged. It is a dangerous thing to wrong
one of the children of the King of heaven. The psalmist says that God
“reproved kings for their sakes; saying, Touch not Mine anointed, and
do My prophets no harm.”
Psalm 105:14, 15
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