A Lapse in Abraham’s Faith When He Goes Down to Egyptin a Time of Famine and Lies About His Wife
Genesis 12:10-20

Lesson 27

background notes

doctrinal points

1. God never approves of lying as a means of protection for the believer.

2. God sometimes rescues the believer from the consequences of foolish mistakes.

practical applications
1. Let’s not forget the Hagar factor.

2. Let’s not have to be rebuked by an unbeliever.

questions
1. Why did Abraham go down to Egypt?

2. What was Abraham’s lie when he was in Egypt? Why did he lie?

3. List some parallels between Abraham’s trip to Egypt and the later sojourn of Israel in Egypt after Jacob and his family went to Egypt.

4. Does God ever approve of lying as a way to protect the believer?

5. Does God always rescue the believer from the consequences of foolish mistakes? 

answers
1. It was a time of severe famine in Canaan, and there was food in Egypt.

2. Abraham lied to Pharaoh, saying that Sarah was his sister. His motive was self-preservation.

3. In both cases, God’s people went down into Egypt due to famine. In both cases, there was the control of Pharaoh and the divine protection of God’s people. There were plagues and the request of Pharaoh for God’s people to leave the land.

4. No.

5. Not always. In Abraham’s case, God rescued him from the consequences of his foolish mistakes, and He can do the same for us. But God does not always step in to get us off the hook.

discuss / consider
1. When we are tempted to lie to cover our tracks or protect ourselves, think of the example of our Lord Jesus. He never lied to protect Himself. He always did the right thing. Recall some ways in which He is our biblical model.

2. Have you ever found yourselves in the fallout of your own foolish mistakes? Has God ever rescued you from their consequences? Think through the decisions of life before you act hastily.

challenge
1. Review the Hagar factor. What worldly habits have you picked up along the way? How are they affecting you and your family?

2. Have you ever been rebuked by an unbeliever because of your deception or unChristlike behavior? Resolve to avoid giving occasion for an unbeliever to rebuke you.

memorize

• “Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there.” Genesis 12:10

• “Say that you are my sister...that I may live.” Genesis 12:13

• “Pharaoh asked Abraham, ‘ What is this you have done to me? Why did you say this?’“ Genesis 12:18-19