Merciful to the Liars (Genesis 12)

 Merciful to the Liars


Abram did not believe God would keep him alive in Egypt to bless him and give him a posterity like he promised. This caused him to fear and it made him lie.
But in Egypt this lie caused Sarai to be taken and telling the truth was now much harder.
If Abram told the truth to Pharaoh who had given so much riches to Abram because he thought he was her brother, then he might still get killed. If Abram did not tell Pharaoh the truth he could lose his wife. 
His fearful lie had put him in a terrible dilemma.
He certainly did not deserve an intervention from God. It would have been totally justified if his wife was taken. He had lied and showed unbelief in God in his fear. God could have left him right there.
But instead God showed mercy to this fearful liar and He showed His power to Pharaoh in the process.

[Gen 12:17-20 NKJV] 17 But the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife. 18 And Pharaoh called Abram and said, "What [is] this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she [was] your wife? 19 "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." 20 So Pharaoh commanded [his] men concerning him; and they sent him away, with his wife and all that he had.


God became the solution to the dilemma. He sent plagues to Pharaoh, the truth quickly came to the surface but Abram was spared because of God who helped him.

There was no reason for this mercy. But he received it anyway and he went away richer than he was before.

God does not just leave His people with every single sin. Even if they did sin and were somewhat unbelieving, He often still shows His mercy.
And He can even save them from the mess they put themselves in.

Of course He is still a Judge and He does punish, but at the same time He is well inclined to be merciful and to save.

Do we not see a merciful, saving and patient God in this history? And such He still is.


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