The wrong hero
(Genesis 12:10-13:1)
In Genesis 12:10-13:1, we encounter a familiar figure in the biblical narrative, Abram, later called Abraham, often hailed as one of the great heroes of faith. His unwavering trust in God and the promises made to him serve as an inspiration for believers throughout history. However, when we reflect on his story, it is easy to fall into the trap of feeling inadequate and unworthy in comparison to such a towering figure. We may wonder, “Who am I? I am no Abraham, Elijah, Moses, or Peter.”
It is common for people to associate heroes with positions of power, prestige, and authority. We might think that to be used by God we need to have the same status as these prominent biblical figures. But Genesis 12:10-13:1 sheds light on a different perspective—that titles or positions are not necessary to be instruments of God’s will. Instead, what we need is grace, and the beautiful truth is that grace is readily available to each one of us.
Abraham’s journey exemplifies this profound reality. Despite his remarkable faith, he too faced moments of doubt and faltered in his walk with God. In a similar way, Peter also struggled with moments of wavering faith despite witnessing miracles and receiving special revelations. We see this in Matthew 14:22-33, when Peter walked on water but then faltered due to his “little faith.” In another instance, in Matthew 16:13-23, he boldly proclaimed Jesus as the Christ, yet was rebuked by Jesus with the words, “Get behind me, Satan.” And, of course, the heart-wrenching moment in Luke 22:31-34, when Peter, after Jesus had told him that he prayed his faith would not fail, ended up denying Jesus three times.
When Peter looked to Abraham as an example of faith, he might have felt utterly inadequate. How could he measure up to such a revered hero of faith who seemed to have it all together? Yet, both Abraham and Peter were imperfect individuals who experienced moments of uncertainty and weakness. Abraham’s journey was one of growth in faith (Rom 4:14-25), and it highlights that the gospel is good news not only for justification, but also for sanctification.
The message in Genesis 12:10-13:1 goes beyond showcasing Abraham’s successes. It reminds us that God’s grace extends even to those who falter and fall short. We don’t need to be perfect or possess great power; we simply need to embrace the grace that is available to us through Christ. The gospel is not just for the extraordinary heroes of faith, but it is also for ordinary people like you and me. We can find solace in the fact that God works through imperfect vessels, and our faith journey is a process of growth and transformation.
Even though your faith may falter…
Genesis 12:10-16
The story begins with a harsh predicament. A severe famine has struck the land, and Abram, in an attempt to survive, descends into Egypt. The choice he makes to abandon the promised land is his first act of faltering faith. God had explicitly guided him to this land (Gen 12:1-9), yet when faced with adversity, Abram’s reliance on God’s providence wavers. He opts for self-preservation, reverting to worldly wisdom over divine assurance.
As Abram prepares to enter Egypt, he tells his wife, Sarai, to claim she is his sister. Here, we see another instance of Abram’s faith faltering as he leans on deception rather than trusting God’s protection. This act is not just deception but also a betrayal, as he essentially abandons his wife, potentially jeopardizing the divine promise of offspring (Gen 12:1-9).
When we delve into the assertion made by Abram about Sarai being his sister, we find it was not entirely a lie, but rather a half-truth. Genesis 20:12 reveals that Sarai was, indeed, Abram’s half-sister, as they shared the same father but had different mothers. This fact adds another layer of complexity to the story.
In the patriarchal era and the early stages of human history, close kinship marriages, even between siblings, were not uncommon. They were often necessary to keep property and influence within the family, especially in an era where family units were the primary societal structure. Such marriages were also seen as a means to maintain the purity of lineages. As the population grew and the societal structure became more complex, close kinship marriages were eventually forbidden. This shift can be seen in Leviticus 18, which clearly forbids marriage between close relatives, underscoring how societal norms evolved alongside divine laws.
In the context of Genesis 12, Abram’s declaration that Sarai was his sister served to protect him from potential harm. By concealing the full extent of their relationship, he aimed to ensure his safety, fearing that the Egyptians would kill him to take Sarai. This story is an intriguing mix of cultural norms, half-truths, and Abram’s faltering faith. His actions reveal the human tendencies towards fear and self-preservation, even when it leads to compromised faith and deception.
Yet, despite Abram’s moments of doubt, we see the incredible mercy and sovereignty of God. Sarai, although taken into Pharaoh’s house, is returned to Abram, who not only survives but also leaves with more wealth than he came with (Gen 12:16). This incident serves as a reminder that God continues to work His plan, even when human faith falters.
This narrative emphasizes an idea found in James 5:17, which describes the prophets as ordinary people who possessed faith, but were used by an extraordinary God. Abram, much like Elijah referenced in James, was a man subject to human passions. Their faith, though real and potent, was not unwavering. Yet, in their weakness, they are not abandoned; instead, they become vessels of God’s extraordinary grace and power.
So too it is with us. We are ordinary people, prone to falter, especially in times of adversity. We may waver, doubt, and even momentarily stray, yet this does not nullify God’s plans or promises. Instead, He often uses these moments to demonstrate His faithfulness, sovereignty, and grace. It is in the light of His extraordinary love that we, like Abram, find the strength to regain our faith and continue the journey He has set before us.
…His does not
Genesis 12:17-13:1
The passages of Genesis 12:17-13:1 shine a spotlight on God’s relentless faithfulness, even in the face of our own failures. Even though your faith may falter, the story powerfully demonstrates that God’s does not.
Genesis 12:17 depicts God’s divine intervention in Pharaoh’s household. Despite Abram’s deceptive actions and faltering faith, God remains faithful to His promises and afflicts Pharaoh’s house with great plagues. Here, we witness God’s steadfast commitment to Abram, protecting Sarai from harm, and thereby safeguarding His covenant promise of a future nation springing from their lineage.
The interaction between Pharaoh and Abram in Genesis 12:18-19 is a poignant moment. Abram is called out for his deception and the negative impact it had on Pharaoh’s household. Abram’s action, spurred by his lack of faith, not only compromised his integrity but also tarnished his witness to God’s glory. Despite these failures, he is still known as the father of faith, reminding us that God’s faithfulness transcends our mistakes.
Abram’s departure from Egypt in Genesis 12:20 and 13:1 is noteworthy. Even though he sinned, God not only protected him, but also enriched him. God, in His grace, used this incident to underline His covenantal faithfulness to Abram, despite Abram’s momentary lack of faith.
These events align with the message in 2 Timothy 2:8-13, which emphasizes that salvation hinges on God’s faithfulness rather than ours. This truth is also echoed in Romans 8:28-39, stating that nothing can separate us from the love of God, including our own failings.
The Apostle Peter, like Abram, experienced God’s unwavering faithfulness firsthand. Despite denying Jesus three times, Peter was not only restored (John 21:15-17), but also became a foundational figure in the early church (1 Pet 1:1-2; 2 Pet 1:2). This narrative emphasizes that our relationship with God is rooted in His love for us (1 John 4:19), not our love for Him. It’s not about our faithfulness, but His.
He later writes in 1 Peter 1:3-9 to reassures us that our faith, however frail, is safeguarded by God because of His enduring love. This is the essence of grace—it is always about Him, not us.
The implications are clear: be it Peter, Elijah, or Abraham, they aren’t the heroes of their stories—God is. He saves us by grace alone and He alone is the savior of our souls. He works through grace alone, underlining that He alone is the hero of our stories.
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