Topical Encyclopedia The account of Abraham's deception regarding his wife Sarah is a significant narrative found in the Book of Genesis. This event occurs twice in Abraham's life, first in Egypt and later in Gerar, and it provides insight into the complexities of faith, fear, and divine protection.Genesis 12:10-20 · The Egyptian Episode The first instance of Abraham's deception occurs during a famine that forces him to seek refuge in Egypt. Fearing for his life due to Sarah's beauty, Abraham instructs her to say she is his sister. Genesis 12:11-13 records Abraham's reasoning: "As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, 'Look, I know that you are a beautiful woman, and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, "This is his wife." Then they will kill me but will let you live. Please say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.'" Pharaoh, believing Sarah to be Abraham's sister, takes her into his palace, and as a result, treats Abraham well, giving him sheep, cattle, and servants. However, the Lord intervenes by sending plagues upon Pharaoh's household, revealing the truth of Sarah's identity. Pharaoh confronts Abraham, saying, "What have you done to me? Why did you not tell me she was your wife?" (Genesis 12:18). Pharaoh then sends Abraham away with his wife and all his possessions. Genesis 20:1-18 · The Gerar Episode The second occurrence of this deception takes place in Gerar, where Abraham again claims Sarah is his sister. Abimelech, king of Gerar, takes Sarah, but God appears to him in a dream, warning him of the truth. Genesis 20:3 states, "But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, 'You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken, for she is a married woman.'" Abimelech, having not approached Sarah, pleads his innocence, and God acknowledges his integrity, instructing him to return Sarah to Abraham. Abimelech confronts Abraham, who explains his actions by saying, "I thought, 'Surely there is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.' Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father—though not the daughter of my mother—and she became my wife" (Genesis 20:11-12). Theological and Moral Considerations Abraham's actions, while motivated by fear, reveal a lapse in trust in God's protection. Despite this, God's faithfulness remains evident as He intervenes to protect Sarah and preserve His covenant promise to Abraham. The narrative underscores the importance of faith and integrity, while also illustrating God's sovereignty and grace in the lives of His chosen people. These episodes serve as a reminder of human frailty and the tendency to rely on self-preservation rather than divine providence. They also highlight the complexity of moral decisions in a fallen world, where even the patriarchs of faith are not immune to fear and deception. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 12:13Say, 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. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 20:2 Library Chapter xxiv Chapter xxvi Chapter xii Memoir of John Bunyan Resources What is the great deception in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about self-deception? | GotQuestions.org Why does God allow deception? | GotQuestions.org Deception: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Deception in Representing to Their Father That Joseph had been Destroyed by Wild Beasts Deception: Abraham, in Stating That Sarah Was his Sister Deception: Amnon Deceives Tamar by Feigning Sickness Deception: Ananias and Sapphira Deception: David Feigns Madness Deception: Delilah Deceives Samson Deception: Ehud Deceives Eglon, and Kills Him Deception: Hushai Deceives Absalom Deception: Isaac, in Stating That his Wife Was his Sister Deception: Jacob and Rebekah, in Imposing Jacob on his Father, and Jacob's Impersonating Esau Deception: Jacob's Sons, in Entrapping the Shechemites Deception: Joseph, in his Ruse With his Brothers Deception: Sanballat Tries to Deceive Nehemiah Deception: The Gibeonites, in Misrepresenting Their Habitat Deception: when he Avenged his Sister Deception: when he Began his Conspiracy Self-Deception: General Scriptures Concerning Related Terms |
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