The Bible Slam: Genesis Chapter 12

The 75-year-old Abram and his wife, Sarai, and his nephew Lot, are looking for a new home in this chapter. There's a drought and famine, so they move to Egypt, where Abram lies to Pharaoh about his relationship with his wife who is "fair to look upon," telling Pharaoh that Sarai was his sister. Pharaoh relies on what Abram says and is punished by God. Pharaoh kicks Abram, Sarai and all they had out of Egypt.

Quick Tips & Navigation.

• About the Bible Slam – If you are new here, please read the "about" page to understand the choice of the word "slam" and to read the Important Disclaimer about swear words. We have provided a link to biblical reading without swear words or commentary on the about page, just in case swear words are offensive to you.
• To fully comprehend the Bible philosophy, we suggest you start at the very beginning and work your way through, other than skipping around through it.
• {NEXT} Genesis Chapter 13 | {PREVIOUS} Genesis Chapter 11

Stuff to Talk About

Verse 3 of Genesis 12 (click for King James version with commentary) reads: "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."   Pharaoh is very good to Abram, giving him slaves, donkeys, goats and so on.   However, God plagues Pharaoh … is this consistent?

From a moralistic point of view, it is difficult to understand why God punishes Pharaoh.   Afraid that the Egyptians would kill him so that they could have his beautiful wife, Abram convinces Sarai to lie and say that she is is sister (true in part … according to Chapter 11, she's his half sister).   Relying on Abram's lie, Sarai is taken into Pharaoh's home.     Because of this, God sends plagues on Pharaoh.   Here's the exact passage:

12:15 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.

12:16 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.

12:17And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.

12:18 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?

Question for Christian apologists: What is the moral value in this?   Does this mean that if you find favor with God, it's okay to decieve people?

Sphere: Related Content

Related posts:

1. The Bible Slam: Genesis Chapter 20
2. The Bible Slam: Genesis Chapter 16
3. The Bible Slam: Genesis Chapter 13
4. The Bible Slam: Genesis Chapter 15
5. The Bible Slam: Genesis Chapter 14
6. The Bible Slam: Genesis Chapter 47
7. The Bible Slam: Genesis Chapter 40
8. The Bible Slam: Genesis Chapter 46
9. The Bible Slam: Genesis Chapter 17
10. The Bible Slam: Genesis Chapter 45

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Leave a Reply

Click here to cancel reply.

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

IMPORTANT NOTE: We welcome and encourage comments. However, we are receiving many 'junk comments' from people looking for back links. As of noon, November 16, 2009, comment submission authors must use a name. For example, names such as 'Payday Loans' or 'Home Accessories' will be deleted. You may continue to link to your website, but we want names (pen names are all right). Additionally, only substantive comments that have to do with the content of the article will be accepted. Comments such as 'Nice post, thanks,' will be deleted. Comments that link to pornographic or hate sites will also be deleted.

Website

By submitting a comment here you grant this site a perpetual license to reproduce your words and name/web site in attribution. While we offer immediate approval of comments that are not screened as spam, we reserve the right to delete your comment pursuant to the site's terms, conditions and policies.

Security Code: