Lech Lecha

Parashas Lech Lecha

Genesis  12:1 – 17:27

Please Pray this prayer

before reading

In the name of Yahushua

Our Messiyah,

I pray for the Spirit of Understanding

The Spirit pf Knowledge and

The Spirit of Wisdom

As I read through this Parasha

That the Truth of the Torah may

Come forth. Amen

                                                                                                          

This Torah portion is called Lech Lecha in Hebrew meaning to “Take yourself” it is the 3^rd portion of the cycle. Like all Torah portion this particular reading helps us to understand what we have been mistaken about, what we should desire for our lives. We must ask not for a life of ease, but for the ability to strive tirelessly against obstacles or situation that impede our spiritual progress and for the opportunity to do so successfully. To run against the current doesn’t have to be discouraging. It can be invigorating and exhilarating and inspiriting. This is the gift on the Sabbath for Lech Lecha.

When The CREATOR asked Abrahan to set out for the Promise Land, The CREATOR said to Abraham “Lech Lecha,” you go. In those days, it was no small thing to ask someone to relocate their family and travel a great distance. Not only was traveling an arbors proposition, it was dangerous and expensive. The logistic that was needed to perform such a task was very challenging, Great preparation was required. Lech Lecha implies the tireless effort needed to fulfill the CREATOR’S request for us to separate ourselves from this world system, for one that is made on a promise, build on faith.

Kabbalah teaches us that those who are connected to the Light of the CREATOR possess this quality of constant striving for something better, a city not built by human hand. We can see indications of this in the CREATOR’S esteem for Abraham. The Midrash says that the CREATOR called Abraham in Hebrew “Yedidi” My  best friend, and Avraham Ohavi, Abraham my beloved. ABBA YAHVEH connection “entanglement” to Abraham was so strong because HE knew that Abraham would strive to accomplish his sixth days of Creation. Meaning whatever tast he took on, regardless of its difficulty, Abraham would undertake it willingly.

There was no shortage of difficulties, from the moment Abraham left Ur on his way to Canaan. His Father died on the way; He end up in Egypt; his wife was taken away from him; I am almost sure that there were other problem that was not describe in Torah.

Most of us are nowhere close to Abraham level of faith, because of the lack of spiritual focus in our lives. Most of us would be overwhelmed by the thought of living like Abraham, that is why we do not attained the same level of spiritual success.

Fortunately, every Sabbath, but mostly on the Sabbath of Lech Lecha, we have an opportunity to pray for the ability to strive tirelessly against all obstacles, for the fortitude of Abraham. First we must desire it, and then we must pray for it. Like Noah, if we do not ask for it, it will not be given to us.

The Spirit of Abraham and the revelation of Lech Lecha will help us changes the way we think about our spiritual goal. Most of us see the goal of our spiritual life as an easy, endless connection to the CREATOR. This, however was not what Abraham sought; he sought tirelessly to fulfill his ultimate objective, knowing that there would be nothing easy about his journey. Abraham knew and I also would like you also to know that you did not come into this world to work only for physical things, but to achieved spiritual maturity.

Gold is not purified without going through the fire. Be passionate with your spiritual journey, remember that like Messiyah we too must show ourselves approved, and faithful. If an Angels are sent to help you with your journey everyday, how many of us would drive them away with our unbelief? Abraham was faced with famine in Egypt, he was not angry and did not complain. He was excited to wake up each and every day and push on. Let this sense of enthusiasm for the struggle permeates the Sabbath of Lech Lecha, regardless of what famine you may be in.

This Parashas called Lech Lecha like the two previous Parashas, it is the third Parashas and it describes a new beginning for Abraham. It is and it will always be EL YAHVEH’s desire to create perfect sons. A perfect son is one who EL YAHVEH will established a Covenant with. This Parashas describe a fresh new start for mankind: the story of Abraham and His descendants the people of faith.

The first two millennium from creation were the Era of Desolation. Adam had fall due to the deception of the Adversary, Abel had become a murderer, idolatry had been reintroduced to the world, ten dismal generations had been wasted away by the flood, and the ten generations from Noah had also fallen.

Abraham was born in the year 1948 from Creation. In the year 2,000, four years after the Dispersion and six years before the death of Noah, He started to influence his disciples to call on the Name of YAHVEH.

With the emergence of Abraham, the Era of Desolation had come to an end and the new Era of calling on the true Name of YAHVEH was at hand. With Abraham calling on the Sacred Name of YAHVEH, it began a profound change in the spiritual make up of humanity. The Plan of Creation was for YAHVEH Name to be manifested in the World, and for all of humanity to have an equal share in fulfilling the Divine mission and for the Word to be established in them.

Gen 12:1 Now YAHVEH said to Avram, "Get yourself out of your country, away from your kinsmen and away from your father's house, and go to the land that I will show you. – In this verse we have the call by which Abram was to be removed out of his homeland, his native Ur of the Chaldea, into the land of promise, which was designed both to try his faith and obedience and also to separate him and set him apart for YAHVEH.

The conditions of this call, is somewhat helped to the knowledge of Stephen’s speech, Acts 7:2, where we are told,  that the EL of Glory appeared to him to give him this call, HE appeared in such a displays of HIS glory that it left Abram no room to doubt the Divine authority of this call. YAHVEH spoke to him after in divers’ manners; but this first time, when the correspondence was to be settled, HE appeared to him as the EL of GLORY, and spoke to him.

This call was given to Abram in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran; therefore when we read what YAHVEH had said to Abram, in Ur of the Chaldees; and, in obedience to this call, as Stephen further relates to the story in (Acts 7:4), he came out of the land of the Chaldeans, and dwelt in Charran, or Haran, about five years, after the death of his father Abram got a new command, different from the former. YAHVEH moved him into the land of Canaan. Some think that Haran was in Chaldea, and so was a part of Abram’s country, or that Abram, having stayed there five years, began to call it his country, and to set up root root there, till YAHVEH let him know this was not the place he was intended for.

When we are called, we like Abram will not get to our promise land immediately, as most people believe. There is a lot for Abram to learn before he like us, enter our promise land.

Because YAHVEH loves us, and has greatness in store for us, HE will not allow us to take up our rest any where short of Canaan, but will graciously repeat HIS calls, till the good work HE begun is completed, and our souls is entangled in HIM alone. In the call itself, we have a precept and a promise.

Get thee out of thy country, get thee out of your present world system Abram. By this precept he was tried whether Abram like us today, loved his native soil and dearest friends, and whether he could willingly leave all, to go along with YAHVEH. His country had become idolatrous, his kindred and his father’s house were a constant temptation to him, and he could not continue with them, without danger of being infected by them; therefore Get out, Get gone, with all speed, escape for thy life, look not behind thee, ch. 19:17.

Those that are in a sinful state are concerned to make all possible haste out of it. Get out for your soal sake (so some read it), that is, for thy own good. Those who leave their sins, and turn to YAHVEH, will themselves be cloth with unspeakable light by the change, Prov. 9:12. This command which YAHVEH gave to Abram is much the same as the Gospel call by which all the spiritual seed of faithful Abram are brought into covenant with EL YAHVEH.

For, natural affection must give way to spiritual gain. Our country is dear to us, our kindred dearer, and our father’s house dearest of all; and yet they must all be hated (Lu. 14:26), that is, we must love them less than Messiyah, hate them in comparison with Him, and, whenever any of these come in competition with Him, they must be postponed, and the preference given to the will and honor of Messiyah Yahushua.

Sin, and all the occasions of it, must be forsaken, and particularly bad company; we must abandon all the idols of iniquity which have been set up in our hearts, and get out of the way of temptation, plucking out even a right eye that leads us to sin (Mt. 5:29), willingly parting with that which is dearest to us, when we cannot keep it without danger to our integrity. Those that resolve to keep the commandments of YAHVEH must quit the society of evil doers, Ps. 119:115; Acts 2:40.

The world, the  church, and all our enjoyments in them, must be looked upon with a holy indifference and contempt; we must no longer look upon it as our country, or home, but as our temporary dwelling, and must accordingly separate ourselves from it and live above it.

By this principle Abram was tried whether YAHVEH could trust him further than HE saw him; for Abram as we must leave our own country, to go to a land that YAHVEH would show us. YAHVEH does not say, "It is a land that I will give thee,’’ but merely, "a land that I will show thee.’’ Nor does YAHVEH tell Abram what land it was, nor what kind of land; but Abram like us must follow YAHVEH with an implicit faith, and take YAH’s Word for it, in the general, though he had no particular securities given him that he should be no loser by leaving his country, to follow YAHVEH.

Those that will deal with YAHVEH must deal upon trust; we must quit the things that are seen for things that are not seen, and submit to the sufferings of this present time in hopes of a glory that is yet to be revealed (Rom. 8:18); for it does not yet appear what we shall be (1 John 3;2), any more than it did to Abram, when YAHVEH called him to a land HE would show him, so teaching him to live in a continual dependence upon HIS direction, and with his eye ever towards YAHVEH.

Gen 12:2 I will make of you a great nation, I will bless you, and I will make your name great; and you are to be a blessing. – Here is an encouraging promise. All YAH’s precepts are attended with promises of obedient. When YAHVEH makes HIMSELF known also as a rewarder: if we obey HIS command, YAHVEH will not fail to perform the promise. Here are six promises:

1.     I will make of thee a great nation. When YAHVEH took Abram from his own people, YAHVEH promised to make him the head of another; YAHVEH cut him off from being the branch of a wild olive, to make him the root of a good olive. This promise was,

2.      A great relief to Abram’s burden; for he had no children. YAHVEH knows how to fashion HIS favors to the desire for children. He that has a plaster for every sore will provide a remedy for every pain.

3.     A great trial to Abram’s faith; for his wife had been long barren, so that, if he believe, it must be against hope, and his faith must build purely upon that power which can out of stones raise up children unto Abraham, and make them a great nation. YAHVEH makes nations: by him they are born at once (Isa. 66:8), and he speaks to build and plant them, Jer. 18:9. And, if a nation be made great in wealth and power, it is YAHVEH that makes it great.

4.     YAHVEH can raise great nations out of dry ground, and can make a little one to be a thousand.

5.     I will bless thee, either particularly with the blessing of fruitfulness and increase, as he had blessed Adam and Noah, or, in general, "I will bless thee with all manner of blessings, both of the upper and the nether springs. Leave thy father’s house, and I will give thee a father’s blessing, better than that of they progenitors.’’ Obedient believers will be sure to inherit the blessing.

6.     I will make thy name great. By deserting his country, he lost his name there. "Care not for that,’’ says YAHVEH, "but trust me, and I will make thee a greater name than ever thou couldst have had there.’’ Having no child, he feared he should have no name; but YAHVEH will make him a great nation, and so make him a great name. YAHVEH is the fountain of honor, and from HIM promotion comes, 1 Sa. 2:8. The name of a mature obedient believers shall certainly be celebrated and made great. The best report is that which the elders obtained by faith, Heb. 11:2.

Gen 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, but I will curse anyone who curses you; and by you all the families of the earth will be blessed." Thou shall be a blessing; that is, - "Our happiness like Abram’s shall be an example of happiness forever, so that those who would bless their friends shall only pray that YAHVEH would make them like Abram;’’ as Ruth 4:11. YAH’s dealings with mature believers are so kind and gracious that we need not desire for ourselves or our friends to be any better dealt with: to have YAHVEH for our friend is blessedness enough.

 "Your life shall be a blessing to the places where you shall dwell.’’ Good men are the blessings of their country, and it is their unspeakable honor and happiness to be made so. I will bless those that bless you and curse him that curseth thee. This made it a kind of a league, offensive and defensive, between YAHVEH and Abram. Abram heartily espoused YAH’s cause, and here YAHVEH promises to interest HIMSELF in his. YAHVEH promises to be a friend to his friends, to take kindnesses shown to him as done to HIMSELF, and to recompense them accordingly. YAHVEH will take care that none be losers, in the long run, by any service done for HIS people; even a cup of cold water shall be rewarded.

He promises to appear against Abram’s enemies. There were those that hated and cursed even Abram himself; but, while their causeless curses could not hurt Abram, YAH’s righteous curse would certainly overtake and ruin them, Num. 24:9. This is a good reason why we should bless those that curse us, because it is enough that YAHVEH will curse them, Ps. 38:13–15.

In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed. This was the promise that crowned all the rest; for it points at the Messiyah Yahushua, in whom all the promises are yea and amen.

(1.) Messiyah Yahushua is the greatest blessing of the world, the greatest that the world was blessed with. He is a family blessing, by Him salvation is brought to the house (Lu. 19:9); when we reckon our family blessings, let us put Messiyah in the the first place, as the blessing of blessings. But how are all the families of the earth blessed in Messiyah, when so many are strangers to Him? All that are blessed are blessed in Him, Acts 4:12. All that believe, of what family soever they shall be, shall be blessed in him. Some of all the families of the earth are blessed in Him. There are some blessings which all the families of the earth are blessed with in Messiyah; for the gospel salvation is a common salvation, Jude 3.

(2.) It is a great honor to be related to Messiyah; this made Abram’s name great, that the Messiyah was to descend from his loins, much more than that he should be the father of many nations. It was Abram’s honor to be his father by nature; it will be ours to be his brethren in grace, Mt. 12:50.

Gen 12:4 So Avram went, as YAHVEH had said to him, and Lot went with him. Avram was 75 years old when he left Haran. – Abraham move out of his native country, out of Ur, Outercourt first and afterwards out of Haran, the Holy Place, in compliance with the call of YAHVEH: So Abram departed; he was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but did as he was bidden, not conferring with flesh and blood, Gal. 1:15, 16. His obedience was speedy and without delay, submissive and without dispute; for he went out, not knowing whither he went (Heb. 11:8), but knowing whom he followed and under whose direction he went. Therefore ABBA YAHVEH called him, Isa. 41:2.

His age when he move was seventy-five years old, an age when he should rather have had rest and settlement; but, if YAHVEH will have him to start over again in his old age, he will submit. Here is an instance of an old convert.

Those who are connected to the Light of the CREATOR posses this ability to constantly striving. We can see sign of this in the CREATOR’S regard for Abraham. The CREATOR called Abraham “Yedidi,” My Best friend, and Avraham Obavi  Abraham, MY Beloved. The Creator connection to Abraham because HE knew that Abraham would strive to accomplish whatever task he took on, regardless of its difficulty.

                                               

Gen 12:5 Avram took his wife Sarai, his brother's son Lot, and all their possessions which they had accumulated, as well as the people they had acquired in Haran; then they set out for the land of Kena'an and entered the land of Kena'an. – The company and cargo that he took with him.

He took his wife, and his nephew Lot came with him; not by force and against their wills, but by persuasion. Sarai, his wife, would be sure to go with him; YAHVEH had joined them together, and nothing should put them apart. If Abram leave all, to follow YAHVEH, Sarai will leave all, to follow Abram, though neither of them knew where. It was a mercy to Abram to have such a companion in his journey, a help mate for him.

It is very comfortable when husband and wife agree to journey together in the way to the heavens. Lot also, his kinsman, was influenced by Abram’s good example, who was perhaps his guardian after the death of his father, and he was willing to go along with him too. Those that go to Canaan need not go alone, for, though few find the strait gate, blessed be YAHVEH, some do; and it is our wisdom to go with those with whom YAHVEH is (Zec. 8:23), wherever they go.

They took all their belongings with them, all their substance and movable goods, that they had gathered. They would give up their all, to be at YAHVEH’s disposal, they would keep back no part of the price, but venture all in one foundation, knowing it was a good resting place.

They would furnish themselves with only that which was requisite, both for the service of YAHVEH and the supply of their family, in the country where they were going. For Abram have thrown away his substance, because YAHVEH had promised to bless him, would have been to tempt YAHVEH, not to trust him.

They would not be under any temptation to return; therefore they never leave a hoof nor a shoe behind, lest that should make them mindful of the country from which they came out.

They took with them the souls that they had gotten, that is: The servants they had bought, which were part of their substance, are called souls, to remind masters that their poor servants have souls, precious souls, which they ought to take care of and provide spiritual food convenient for. The proselytes they had made, and persuaded to attend the worship of the true Elohim, and to go with them to Canaan: the souls which they had gathered under the wings of the divine Majesty.

Those who decide to follow EL YAHVEH themselves should do all they can to bring others to serve and follow him too. These souls they are said to have gained. We must reckon ourselves truly bless if we can but win souls to Messiyah. Here is their happy arrival at their journey’s end: They went forth to the land of Canaan; so they did before (ch. 11:31), they were obviously held on their way, and, by the good hand of their EL was upon them, to the land of Canaan they came, with a fresh revelation they were told that this was the land YAHVEH promised to show them. They were not discouraged by the difficulties they met with on their way, nor diverted by the delights they met with, but pressed forward.

1. Those that set out for the Kingdom of heavens must persevere to the end, still reaching forth to those things that are before.

2. That which we undertake in obedience to YAH’s command, and a humble attendance upon HIS providence, will certainly succeed, and end with comfort at last.

Gen 12:6 Avram passed through the land to the place called Sh'khem, to the oak of Moreh. The Kena'ani were then in the land. -  One would have expected that Abram having had such an extraordinary call to Canaan by some great event welcoming event would have followed upon his arrival there, that he would have been introduced with all possible marks of honor and respect, and that the kings of Canaan should immediately have surrendered their crowns to him, and show Abram some honor. But no; he comes not by observation, little notice is taken of him, for still YAHVEH will have him to live by faith, and to look upon Canaan, even when he was in it, as a land of promise; therefore observe here,

How little comfort he had in this new land he came to; for,

1. The Canaanite was then in the land. He found the country peopled and possessed by Canaanites, who were likely to be bad neighbors and worse landlords; and, for all that appears, he could not have ground to pitch his tent on but by their permission. The accursed Canaanites seemed to be in better circumstances than blessed Abram. The children of this world have commonly more of it than YAH’s children.

2. He passed through the land, verse 6. He removed to a mountain, verse 8. He journeyed, going on still, verse 9.

Sometimes it is the lot of good men to be unsettled, and obliged often to remove their habitation. David had his wanderings, his fittings, Ps. 56:8.

Our removes in this world are often into various conditions. Abram sojourned, first in a plain verse 6, then in a mountain, verse 8. YAHVEH has set the one over-against the other.

All good people must look upon themselves as strangers and sojourners in this world, and by faith sit loose to it as a strange country. So Abram did, Heb. 11:8–14

While we are here in this present state, we must be journeying, and going on still from strength to strength, as having not yet attained.

How much comfort he had in the EL he followed; when he could have little satisfaction in converse with the Canaanites whom he found there, he had abundance of pleasure in communion with that YAHVEH who brought him thither, and did not leave him. Communion with YAHVEH is kept up by the word and by prayer, and by these, according to the methods of that dispensation, Abram’s communion with YAHVEH was kept up in the land of his pilgrimage.

The Canaanites is symbolic to the sons of darkness who still exist in the heavens those who follow HaSatan in the rebellion. We are the one who will replace them when the Kingdom of the Heavens is restored. Every human been who live have the responsibility to live in the Kingdom to come, this is the whole purpose of creation, all the stories in Torah alluded to this goal.

Gen 12:7 YAHVEH appeared to Avram and said, "To your descendants I will give this land." So he built an altar there to YAHVEH, who had appeared to him. – YAHVEH appeared to Abram, probably in a vision, and spoke to him good, comfortable words: Unto thy seed will I give this land.

No place nor condition of life can shut us out from the comfort of YAH’s gracious visits. Abram is a sojourner, unsettled among Canaanites; and yet here also he meets with him that lives and sees him. Enemies may part us and our tents, us and our altars, but not us and our Elohim.

With respect to those that faithfully follow YAHVEH in a way of duty, though HE leads them from their friends, HE will make up that loss by HIS gracious appearances to them.

YAH’s promises are sure and satisfying to all those who conscientiously observe and obey HIS precepts; and those who, in compliance with YAH’s call, leave or lose anything that is dear to them, shall be sure of something else abundantly better in lieu of it. Abram had left the land of his nativity: "Well,’’ says YAHVEH, "I will give thee this land,’’ Mt. 19:29.

YAHVEH reveals HIMSELF and HIS favors to HIS people by degrees; before HE had promised to show him this land, now to give it to him: as grace is growing, so is comfort. It is comfortable to have land of YAHVEH’s giving, not by providence only, but by promise.

Mercies to the children are mercies to the parents. "I will give it, not to thee, but to thy seed;’’ it is a grant in reversion to his seed, which yet, it should seem, Abram understood also as a grant to himself of a better land in reversion, of which this was a type; for he looked for a heavenly country, Heb. 11:16.

Gen 12:8 He left that place, went to the hill east of Beit-El and pitched his tent. With Beit-El to the west and 'Ai to the east, he built an altar there and called on the name of YAHVEH. – Abram attended on YAHVEH in his instituted ordinances. He built an altar unto EL YAHVEH who appeared to him, and called on the name of EL YAHVEH. Now consider this, as done upon a special occasion. When YAHVEH appeared to him, then and there he built an altar, with an eye to YAHVEH who appeared to him. He returned YAH’s visit, and kept up his correspondence with heaven, as one that resolved it should not fail on his side; he acknowledged, with thankfulness, YAH’s kindness to him in making him that gracious visit and promise; and thus he testified his confidence in and dependence upon the Word which YAHVEH had spoken.  An active believer can heartily bless YAHVEH for a promise the performance of which HE does not yet see, and build an altar to the honor of YAHVEH who appears to him, though he does not yet appear for him.

Gen 12:9 Then Avram traveled on, continuing toward the Negev. -  As his constant practice, whither-soever he removed. As soon as Abram had got to Canaan, though he was but a stranger and sojourner there, yet he set up, and kept up, the worship of YAHVEH in his family; and wherever he had a tent YAHVEH had an altar, and that an altar sanctified by prayer. For he not only minded the ceremonial part of religion, the offering of sacrifice, but made conscience of the natural duty of seeking to his EL, and calling on his name, that spiritual sacrifice with which YAHVEH is well pleased. He preached concerning the name of YAHVEH, that is, he instructed his family and neighbors in the knowledge of the true Elohim and his holy Name. The souls he had gotten in Haran, being disciple,  he must be further taught.

Those that would approve themselves as children of faithful Abram, and would inherit the blessing of Abram, must make conscience of keeping up the solemn worship of YAHVEH, particularly in their families, according to the example of Abram. The way of family worship is a good old way, is no novel invention, but the ancient usage of all the saints. Abram was very rich and had a numerous family, was now unsettled and in the midst of enemies, and yet, wherever he pitched his tent, he built an altar. Wherever we go, let us not fail to take our religion along with us.

Gen 12:10 But there was a famine in the land, so Avram went down into Egypt to stay there, because the famine in the land was severe. – There  was a famine, lack of water, lack of Torah, lack of water for the Holy Spirit to move upon. Some time in our spiritual journey we will come to our promise land, yet the enemy is still in possession of our domain. We must wait until the appropriate time to enter into the land. It is foolish for us to walk into a Muslim house and start preaching Messiyah to them, we must wait until the spiritual famine is lifted, before we may enter in.

                                                   

Gen 12:11 When he came close to Egypt and was about to enter, he said to Sarai his wife, "Here now, I know that you are a good-looking woman; - A great fault which Abram was guilty of, in denying his wife, and pretending that she was his sister. The scripture is impartial in relating the misdeeds of the most celebrated saints, which are recorded, not for our imitation, but for our admonition, that he who thinks he stands may take heed lest he fall.

His fault was dissembling his relation to Sarai, equivocating concerning it, and teaching his wife, and probably all his attendants, to do so too. What he said was, in a sense, true (ch. 20:12), but with a purpose to deceive; he so concealed a further truth as in effect to deny it, and to expose thereby both his wife and the Egyptians to sin.

Abram had what I would called a logical reason to make that statement, however it could have led to a more serious consequence. When the Christian church decided to institute marriage, because they taught that the Torah requirement of the bride price did no lend credence to the honor of women, they were in-effect creating a scenario where adultery is practice.

From the very beginning of the journey to Canaan, Abraham ran into difficulties. He went down to Egypt, where there was a famine in the land, it was bad enough, when Abraham entered Egypt the World, His wife Sarah was taken from him and delivered to the Pharaoh so that he might enjoy the  pleasure of her beauty.

                                                                       

Gen 12:12 so that when the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'This is his wife,' and kill me but keep you alive. -  In this verse we learn that even great men do make choice to protect themselves from the world. I will not preach on this topic for the world will be against me. That which was at the bottom of it was a self preservation mentality! Some of the  Egyptians would be so charmed with the beauty of Sarai “the Church” that, if they should know he was her husband, they would find some way or other to embrace her, by they might marry her. He presumes they would rather be guilty of murder than adultery, such a heinous crime was it then accounted and such a sacred regard was paid to the marriage bond; hence he infers, without any good reason, They will kill me.

                                                           

Gen 12:13 Please say that you are my sister, so that it will go well with me for your sake, and so that I will stay alive because of you." - The fear of man brings a snare, and many are driven to sin by the dread of death, Lu. 12:4, 5. The grace Abram was most eminent for was faith; and yet he fell through unbelief and distrust of the divine Providence, even after YAHVEH had appeared to him twice. what will become of the willows, when the cedars are shaken?

Gen 12:14 When Avram entered Egypt, the Egyptians did notice that the woman was very beautiful. -  The danger Sarai was in of having her chastity violated by the king of Egypt: and without doubt the peril of sin is the greatest peril we can be in. Pharaoh’s princes saw her, and, observing what a comely woman she was, they commended her before Pharaoh, not for that which was really her praise, her virtue and modesty, her faith and piety (these were no excellencies in their eyes), but for her beauty, which they thought too good for the embraces of a subject.

Gen 12:15 Pharaoh's princes saw her and commended her to Pharaoh, so the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. - They recommended her to the king, and she was presently taken into Pharaoh’s house, as Esther into the seraglio of Ahasuerus (Esth. 2:8), in order to her being taken into his bed. Now we must not look upon Sarai as standing fair for preferment, but as entering into temptation; and the occasions of it were her own beauty (which is a snare to many) and Abram’s equivocation, which is a sin that commonly is an inlet to much sin.

Gen 12:16 He treated Avram well for her sake, giving him sheep, cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female slaves, and camels. - While Sarai was in no physical danger, she was is spiritual danger, Abram fared the better for her sake. Pharaoh gave him sheep, oxen, etc. To gain his consent, that he might the more readily prevail with her whom he supposed to be his sister, this was the bride price. We cannot think that Abram expected this when he came down into Egypt, much less that he had an eye to it when he denied his wife; but YAHVEH brought good out of evil. Therefore the wealth of the sinner proves, in some way or other, to be laid up for the just.

In describing Abraham journey through life, we can used the metaphor of running against a mighty running river with Crocodile chasing after us. This is a good way to view our own spiritual experience. To be like Abraham spiritually is to ask ourselves, “am I throwing myself into the rushing river” Am I willing to continue on and on as the raging water thrush against us, or are we will to be swept away by its relentless current.

Gen 12:17 But YAHVEH inflicted great plagues on Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai Avram's wife. -  The deliverance of Sarai from this danger. For if YAHVEH did not deliver us, many a time, by prerogative, out of those straits and distresses which we bring ourselves into by our own sin and folly, and which therefore we could not expect any deliverance from by promise, we should soon be ruined, nay, we should have been ruined long before this. He deals not with us according to our deserts.

YAHVEH chastised Pharaoh, and so prevented the progress of his sin. Those are happy chastisements that hinder us in a sinful way, and effectually bring us to our duty, and particularly to the duty of restoring that which we have wrongfully taken and detained.

Not Pharaoh only, but his house, was plagued, probably those princes especially that had commended Sarai to Pharaoh. Partners in sin are justly made partners in the punishment. We are not told particularly what these plagues were; but doubtless there was something in the plagues themselves, or some explication added to them, sufficient to convince them that it was for Sarai’s sake that they were thus plagued.

Gen 12:18 Pharaoh called Avram and said, "What is this that you have done to me? Why didn't you tell me that she was your wife? – Pharaoh reproved Abram, and then dismissed him with respect. The reproof was calm, but very just: What is this that thou hast done? What an improper thing! How unbecoming a wise and good man!

If those that profess religion do that which is unfair and disingenuous, especially if they say that which borders upon a lie, they must expect to hear of it, and have reason to thank those that will tell them of it. We find a prophet of the Lord justly reproved and upbraided by a heathen ship-master, Jon. 1:6.

Pharaoh reasons with him: Why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife? intimating that, if he had known this, he would not have taken her into his house. It is a fault too common among good people to entertain suspicions of others beyond what there is cause for. We have often found more of virtue, honor, and conscience, in some people than we thought they possessed; and it ought to be a pleasure to us to be thus disappointed, as Abram was here, who found Pharaoh to be a better man than he expected. Charity teaches us to hope the best.

Gen 12:19 Why did you say, 'She is my sister,' so that I took her to be my own wife? Now therefore, here is your wife! Take her, and go away!" – The dis-mission was kind and very generous. He restored him his wife without offering any injury to her honor: Behold thy wife, take her.  A man’s wife is she who he is having sexual intercourse with, it is not she who he take before a priest.

Those that would prevent sin must remove the temptation, or get out of the way of it. He also sent him away in peace, and was so far from any design to kill him, as he apprehended, that he took particular care of him. We often perplex and ensnare ourselves with fears which soon appear to have been altogether groundless. We often fear where no fear is. Pharaoh knew the penalty of having sex with a next man’s wife.

Gen 12:20 So Pharaoh gave orders concerning him to his men, and they sent him on his way with his wife and everything he had. – We fear the fury of the oppressor, as though he were ready to destroy, when really there is no danger, Isa. 51:13. It would have been more for Abram’s credit and comfort to have told the truth at first; for, after all, honesty is the best policy.

Pharaoh commanded his men concerning Abraham, that is, He charged them not to injure him in any thing.  It is not enough for those in authority to do no hurt themselves, but they must restrain their servants, and those about them, from doing hurt.

He appointed them, when Abram was disposed to return home after the famine, to conduct him safely out of the country, as his convoy. Probably he was alarmed by the plagues verse 17, and inferred from them that Abram was a particular favorite of Heaven, and therefore, through fear of their return, took special care he should receive no injury in his country. 

YAHVEH has often raised up friends for his people, by making men know that it is at their peril if they hurt them. It is a dangerous thing to offend Messiyah’s little ones. Mt. 18:6. To this passage, among others, the Psalmist refers, Ps. 105:13–15, He reproved kings for their sakes, saying Touch not my anointed. Perhaps if Pharaoh had not sent him away, he would have been tempted to stay in Egypt and to forget the land of promise.

Sometimes YAHVEH makes use of the enemies of his people to convince them, and remind them, that this world is not their rest, but that they must think of departing.

Lastly, Observe a resemblance between this deliverance of Abram out of Egypt and the deliverance of his seed thence: 430 years after Abram went into Egypt on occasion of a famine they went thither on occasion of a famine also; he was fetched out with great plagues on Pharaoh, so were they; as Abram was dismissed by Pharaoh, and enriched with the spoil of the Egyptians, so were they. For YAH’s care of HIS people is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever!

This scenario with his wife and Pharaoh was to create a situation where Abram would leave Egypt. It is so like YAHVEH, to ruffle our bed, making it uncomfortable when it is time for us to move on.