The story of Abraham is special and unique. The Bible says that Abraham believed God, and that this made him right with God. So Abraham is truly a hero of faith. But at the same time, he did not live a perfect life and he also did some things wrong. I want to share a story with you, in which Abraham made a mistake, but God fixed the mistake. The special thing in this story is that Abraham was not punished for his mistake, but someone else was. Let us read it:
“And it came to pass, when he was close to entering Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, ‘Indeed I know that you are a woman of beautiful countenance. Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, “This is his wife”; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you.’ So it was, when Abram came into Egypt, that the Egyptians saw the woman, that she was very beautiful. The princes of Pharaoh also saw her and commended her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken to Pharaoh’s house. He treated Abram well for her sake. He had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male and female servants, female donkeys, and camels. But the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. And Pharaoh called Abram and said, ‘What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? Why did you say, “She is my sister”? I might have taken her as my wife. Now therefore, here is your wife; take her and go your way.’ So Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they sent him away, with his wife and all that he had.” (Genesis 12:11–20).
What did Abraham do wrong?
He lied about his wife Sarai and said that she was only his sister, and not his wife. In other words: everyone would think that Sarai was free to marry. This is not just a small lie. It has big results. Sarai was even given to Pharaoh.
Why did Abraham do this?
Out of fear, and deep down because he did not really believe that God could protect him and Sarai from the Egyptians. God had promised that Abraham would have many descendants. At that time he had no son or daughter. If Abraham would be killed because of Sarai, God would have broken His Word. Abraham held two thoughts: either God would bless him, or the Egyptians would kill him because of his wife.
What is the result?
The results were great. If Sarai had not been given back to Abraham, his son Isaac and grandson Jacob would not have been born. And if we follow the line further, Israel would not exist and the Messiah would not have been born (if God had not made another plan).
How did God solve this?
Now comes the special part. Everyone would judge: this is Abraham’s fault, he should be punished by God. You cannot say about your own wife that she is not your wife, can you? As a man you must protect your wife, right?
But God solved this in another way than we would think. God did not speak to Abraham, did not punish him, and did not bring judgment on him. He brought judgment on Pharaoh, who could not really do anything about it here. Abraham received grace, but Pharaoh received the blame.
Not fair, right? But here is the point…
When we compare this with the gospel, the gospel is also not fair. As believers we have all sinned. Everyone has made mistakes, and everyone should carry God’s judgment. But who received the judgment? The Person who never made a mistake: Jesus Christ. He carried the judgment, so that we receive God’s grace. Jesus took the curse, so that we receive the blessing. Jesus was, for a moment, apart from God, so that we can live with God forever.
When you read the Bible and all the stories and teachings in it, it does not always seem “fair.” That is how we would judge it as people. God is kind to His children, He forgives, and He does not want to judge us with sickness and trouble, or with the eternal judgment. God wants to give us grace, to correct us, and to discipline us as a Father. If God gave us what we deserve, we would spend eternity in hell. But by His grace we receive what we do not deserve: eternal life, both on earth and in heaven.
Thank You, Father, that You give us grace and do not give what we deserve for all the mistakes we have made! Amen.
Finally:
God is gracious toward all people, and it is God’s desire that everyone will be saved. But the choice is yours. Do you receive Jesus in faith as your Savior and Redeemer? Then God will be gracious to you, and you will receive eternal life. But do you reject Jesus or choose not to follow Him? Then at the last judgment God will judge you for the sinful deeds you have done and because you did not choose Jesus Christ.
When you repent and choose Jesus, a beautiful future waits for you. But if you reject Jesus, there is an eternal separation in hell, away from all that is good and without God.