“And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram’s wife.”
— Genesis 12:17
This strange incident in Genesis 12 serves to remind us that God will never make us break one of his commandments (thou shalt not commit adultery [1]), in order to keep another (wives, submit yourselves to your own husband [2]).
Abraham’s faith faltered in this chapter when he instructed Sarah to lie to Pharaoh and join his harem so that Abraham could pass through the land unharmed. At times we seem to think that God is not able to keep his promises unless we help him along in some way. But God was gracious to the point of the pulling down of strong holds [3] to protect Sarah from the blemish of sin. As the apostle tells us,
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” — 1st Cor 10:13
The Bible gives us many examples of Abraham’s faith, obedience, and courage but this surely is not one of them. It is to remind us that all of those good things that he did are not the reason for God’s choosing him to bless the nations through his seed. Foreseen faith or foreseen good deeds cannot possibly be the impetus for God's election, because cursed is every man who continues not in the things written in the law, to do them [4]. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us [5].
When men fail you, you still have the one who is greater than man, “who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.[6]”
Selah.
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