Abraham: THE TRUTH ABOUT THE PATH TO EGYPT

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE PATH TO EGYPT

Date June 15, 2014

Scripture Reference Genesis 12:10-20

from the series Abraham

Scripture Reading

Let us rise our feet and together read Genesis 12:10-20

10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.

11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon:

12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.

13 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.

14 And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair.

15 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.

16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.

17 And 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 that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?

19 Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.

20 And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.

This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. May the sweet Holy Spirit add blessings to our text this morning.... Amen! You may be seated in the presence of God. 

Introduction

We have before us this morning what is probably the saddest event in the entire life of Abraham. We see him making a decision that will bring tremendous trouble into his life and into ours as well. Our text tells that during a time of famine in Canaan, Abram took his family and moved to the land of Egypt.

Now, in the Bible, Egypt is always presented to us as a picture and a type of the world. It was where the children of Israel were held in bondage to Pharaoh for 400 years. Even after they were delivered by the power of God, they still longed for what they had left behind in Egypt, Ex. 16:3. That's just like us! Regardless of how the Lord blesses us, there is still a part of us that looks back longingly to the world we have left behind.

Sermon

As we see this man make his journey into Egypt, there are some truths about the path he took to Egypt that we need to notice this morning. Today, I want to preach for a few minutes about The Truth About The Path To Egypt.

I. V. 10 IT IS ALWAYS A DOWNWARD PATH

(Ill. When a believer leaves Canaan (The place of victory and blessing) to go to Egypt (The world), it always leads him down. Ill. Jonah Jonah 1:1-5. Note: Amos described it as a low place as well, Amos 2:10; 3:1.)

A. It Led Him Down From The Land Of Promise  

The land of Canaan represented God's Best for Abram. Canaan land was where he was supposed to be! (Note: There is no place more precious than the place God wants you to be! Ill. Joseph - Gen. 50:20.)

B. It Led Him Down From The Land Of Preparation  

The famine in Canaan was not a punishment for sin, rather it was a test of faith. (Contrast with Ruth 1) He left God's best and ran away from God's test. Real faith will always be tested. The great test is to submit to the test and trust God instead of running away! (Ill. The Widow of Zarephath - 1 Kings 17) Abram was to choose the uncertainty of Canaan over the abundance of Egypt.

C. It Led Him Down From The Land Of Provision  

God had promised to bless Abram in Canaan, Gen. 12:2. Canaan was also the place of God's rest for Abram. Only there could he rest in the arms of providence and trust God to take care of him. (Ill. The best place to be is where the Lord places you, even if it is difficult - Ill. Elijah - 1 Kings 17:4, 9 - "There")

I. IT IS ALWAYS A DOWNWARD PATH

II. V. 11-15 IT IS ALWAYS A DISHONEST PATH

A. Abram Birthed A Lie  

It is a sad day when a believer turns away from the truth o embrace a lie. This may be the saddest episode in Abraham's life, and it forever preserved in the word of God. We can learn from his mistake! (Note: We all have those times when we birth a lie in our hearts to try and justify the things we do and allow in our lives... It is a sad day when it happens!)

B. Abram Became The Lie  

After he told the lie, he began to live the lie! One lie always leads to another! (Ill. This is clearly seen in David's lies and actions following his adultery with Bathsheba - 2 Sam. 11.) Your lies always affect your life!

C. Abram Believed The Lie  

He came to believe the lie he had fabricated more than the truth he had received from God. Verse 12 tells us that Abram was worried about something that could never happen. He could not die because God's promise to him had not been fulfilled, Gen. 12:2-3. (Note: This always sin's way, Gen. 3:1-6 - Eve sinned because she believed the devil's lies more than she believed God. Peter fell because he believed his own lies more than he believed the Lord's word - Mark 14:30-31.)

I. V. 10 IT IS ALWAYS A DOWNWARD PATH

II. V. 11-15 IT IS ALWAYS A DISHONEST PATH

 III. V. 15-17 IT IS ALWAYS A DISASTROUS PATH

A. Because Of The Potential  

Abram's sin had the potential to cause others to fall. Pharaoh could have taken Sarai to be his wife! (Note: When a believer goes to Egypt spiritually, it causes others to fall away or stay away. Ill. Ghandi said that the reason he never became a Christian was other Christians!)

B. Because Of The Punishment  

Abram's sin brought God's hand of judgment into the situation! (Note: Wouldn't it be a shame to know that our sin caused a believer to stumble or a sinner to be confirmed in his decision for hell? Ill. Matt. 18:6)

C. Because Of The Profits  

The Bible tells us that Abram left Egypt with more than when he entered. This is not always the case, Ill. The Prodigal - Luke 15: 11-24, but sometimes the believer will prosper in the far country. However, those things that people think are gain are really often loss! Among the servants Abram acquired while there was an Egyptian girl named Hagar, Gen. 16:1-3. She became a problem for Abraham and Sarah and Abraham's sin with her still has consequences in the world tonight. The lesson here is this, "What we think are the world's best blessings often become life's greatest burdens." (Ill. Matt. 6:19-21)

I.  IT IS ALWAYS A DOWNWARD PATH

II.  IT IS ALWAYS A DISHONEST PATH

 III.  IT IS ALWAYS A DISASTROUS PATH

IV. V. 18-20 IT IS ALWAYS A DISAPPOINTING PATH

(Ill. The world and all of its allurements can never satisfy the soul that has ever tasted of the goodness of the Lord!)

A. Because Of The Testimony It Forfeits  

Abram lost his testimony in Egypt. He is even told by Pharaoh, "Take her and go!" He was literally kicked out of the world by the world! Lost people never forget a ruined testimony! They may never remember your good works, but they will never forget your failures! (Ill. What gets more air time, Peter's preaching at Pentecost, or his denial of Christ? What about David and the Ark, or David and Bathsheba?)

B. Because Of The Things It Forgets 

In Egypt, Abram had no altar, he offered no sacrifices and he lifted up no prayers. He totally left God out of all that he was doing! When in the world, the child of God lives like the world. That is a tragedy within itself! God, and all that pertains to Him are neglected and ignored! You see, no man can serve 2 masters - Matt. 6:24.

C. Because Of The Tragedy It Fosters  

Instead of bringing the light of the one true God into the darkness of Egypt, Abram only brought more darkness! He was not "salt and light" as he should have been! (Note: When we walk out of Canaan in Egypt, we cannot be what God has called us to be, Matt. 5:13-16! It is always a tragedy when believers leave the world worse off than it was when they found it!)

Invitation And The Final Challenge 

Where is your tent pitched this morning? Are you camping Canaan, firmly fixed in the land of blessing, victory and testimony, or have you gone down to Egypt? All it takes to get to Egypt is a little compromise here and there and before you know it, you are miles away from the Lord. You will never prosper as long as you are not where God wants you to be! My advise is for you to come home, rebuild your altars and live for Jesus like He saved you to do.