Genesis 12:13 Say, I pray you, you are my sister: that it may be well with me for your sake; and my soul shall live because of you. Say, I pray thee, that thou art my sister: that it may be well with me.' These words were partially true (Genesis 11:20). Abraham had real ground for saying that Sarah was his sister, but he hid the fact that she was his wife. He asked her to consent to an equivocal statement and to repeat it. I. CONTEMPLATE THE NATURE OF CARNAL POLICY. A truth which is part a lie is ever a dangerous lie. The temptation to this carnal policy came (1) from his mingling with the worldly Egyptians on equal terms, (2) from his very prosperous state, and (3) from his having lately come from a religious observance in which he had had high spiritual revelations. Possibly he presumed upon his visions and the Divine promises. David fell also shortly after he had attained the kingdom and been delivered from great dangers. II. SEE HOW ALL CARNAL POLICY IS SURE IN THE LONG RUN TO FAIL. Abraham did not foresee all the consequences of his equivocations. He even made the path clear for Pharaoh to ask for Sarah. He had afterwards to know that his name was a byword among the Egyptians. (1) He lost self-respect; (2) he had to be rebuked by a Pharaoh, and (3) to feel that God was dishonored by his act. Abraham repeated his sin. That God delivered Abraham should teach us that we are not to reject others, who have committed a special sin, as past hope. God does not cast us off for one sinful action. Still Divine forbearance and love should never lead to presumption and to a tampering with carnal policy. - H. Parallel Verses KJV: Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee. |
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