Audio Tapes # 42,    Sept 17, 2000       (Notes Updated August 22, 2000)

Don't miss the pictures of the zoo days. The Lord willing, Creation Creature Features soon.

Review: (Gen 1-12) See the previous sermon notes on the Web -

The Text: Genesis 12:10-20 (emphasis added in bold)

^{Gen 12:10 "}Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land. ¹¹And 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. ¹²"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. ¹³"Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you."

14So it was, when Abram came into Egypt, that the Egyptians saw the woman, that she was very beautiful. ¹⁵The princes of Pharaoh also saw her and commended her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken to Pharaoh’s house. ¹⁶He treated Abram well for her sake. He had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male and female servants, female donkeys, and camels. ¹⁷But the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. ¹⁸And Pharaoh called Abram and said, "What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?  ¹⁹"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." ²⁰So Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they sent him away, with his wife and all that he had."

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Gen 18:¹⁹ 

"For I have known him, 
in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him."

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Brief Exposition and Commentary - (Gen 12:10-20)

Genesis 12:10  "a famine in the land", "Abram went down to Egypt"

God Promises Provision - God told Abram to go to the land of Canaan, and promised to provide for him.

* But Abram fearfully doubted God and put his trust in the way of the world.
Abram apparently didn't trust God to provide food in the midst of a famine, so he ran to his pagan neighbors to get help.  
* The first tiny step of doubt and sin, often lead to much more down the road!

Genesis 12:11-13  "close to entering Egypt", "said to his wife", "that I may live because of you"

God Promises Protection - God told Abram & Sarai their marriage would produce the Savior, the "Seed".

* But Abram fearfully doubted God and put his trust in his own wisdom (Prov 3:5-8).  Abram's selfish, sinful attitude grows (James 1:13-15) and similar to Adam, he shields himself with the body and life of his wife.  What kind of man is this?  It's the opposite of the Son of God, Jesus, the bridegroom of the church.

Genesis 20 - You'd think that Abraham would have learned his lesson, but . . . .

Genesis 26 - Socialization (Discipleship).  Your children learn what you do, pointmen & pointladies!

How does all of this apply to you: Are you, your family, and your church walking in submissive faith like Abram and his family? Are your relationships socializing others to become disciplined disciples or dysfunctionally dishonoring rebels? 
Please take time to examine your life, and write down what you see in God's light:

* Yourself?

* Your Family?

* Your Church?
 Do you genuinely L.E.A.D. your sheep toward restoration and maturity in Christ?

Use the following chart to examine yourself, and change by putting off habit patterns of attitude, behavior, & countenance.