Abram's Doubt- Gen. 12:10-20
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Abram's Doubt- Gen. 12:10-20
Abram's Doubt- Gen. 12:10-20
In Genesis chapter 3, we witness what we call the fall of man. This fall is a fall from innocence, where humanity (represented through Adam, cf. Rom. 5:13-14) was changed by sin. We discussed this when we looked at this passage, but one of the negative impacts of sin is a distortion of our ways of thinking (Rom. 1:21, Eph. 4:17) and our emotions (Jer. 2:13).
In his book, Feelings and Faith, Brian Borgman writes,
“Our minds are fallen and corrupt. Our wills are in bondage to our depravity. And our emotions are defiled and disfigured by sin.”—Brian Borgman, Feelings and Faith
What we see in this portion of Abram’s life is his struggle with doubt. We could easily use the word anxiety or the word fear, because though they give off a slightly different shade of meaning, they all convey the same essential idea: unbelief. Borgman helps us, “The Bible leaves us no room for debate. The source of fear, worry, and anxiety is unbelief.”
What we have in this portion of Scripture is a real life example of how one of God’s children doubted, what went wrong, the implications, and how we can learn from his mistakes (cf. 1 Cor. 10:6).
Doubt, or fear or anxiety, afflicts us all to one degree or another. And as we have already noted, at the root of doubt is unbelief. How? Notice at the beginning of the chapter, God calls Abram out and gives him incredible promises (12:1-3). Certainly there is great faith displayed by Abram (Heb. 11:8-12), but here Abram, like all of us at some point, doubts God’s promise.
You may be in the midst of a season of doubt, you may be heading toward it, or you may have just finished it. Regardless of your location with doubt, we must trust the promises of God rather than give in to doubt.
I. Doubt comes in the midst of adverse circumstances- 12:10-11
I. Doubt comes in the midst of adverse circumstances- 12:10-11
In many cases, doubt comes on the heels of adverse circumstances. We think of doctor’s reports, an accident, the sudden death of a loved one, or torn relationship, the list could go on. What connects them all (and many others) is the adverse nature of the circumstances.
Abram is obeying God and traveling to that land that God showed him (cf. 12:5, 7). While living there, a famine occurs. It seems that Abram tried to endure it, but because it was severe he had to do something. At this point, Abram is not doubting God, at least from what we can see in the Scripture.
But it is from this adverse circumstance that his doubt will arise. As we noted a moment ago, we must trust the promises of God rather than give in to doubt. Adverse circumstances will come. We live, unfortunately, in a fallen world. Sickness, disease, and death afflict us all. But there are two important factors to remember:
God is sovereign- nothing happens by accident
God is active- He gives us promises, accompanies us, and guides us
II. Doubt creates opportunities to sin- 12:12-13
II. Doubt creates opportunities to sin- 12:12-13
This adverse circumstance comes into Abram’s life. He is faced with a difficult decision and ultimately leaves the land of Canaan to head down to Egypt (Egypt sits lower than Israel, which is why you have go down and come up).
Here is where Abram doubts God, and this doubt opens the opportunity up for sin. This is a wonderful insight into how we can trust the promises of God rather than giving in to doubt. When faced with those adverse circumstances (whatever they may be), we have two options: to respond in righteousness or to respond in unbelief (i.e., disobedience).
For example, when faced with a sudden loss of a family member, we can mourn as followers of Jesus Christ without losing hope, knowing that our gracious Father is working all things for good, trusting His infinite wisdom over our limited and finite thinking, or we can despair and refuse to believe that God is good or has a purpose in this tragedy. The actual circumstance does not cause us to sin, it allows us an opportunity to trust the LORD or lean on our own understanding (Prov. 3:5-6).
Abram, as we know, leans on his own understanding. He reasons that if Sarai tells the Egyptians she is his sister, they will not kill him. Now, God’s promises to Abram are specific, and Abram chooses not to trust the word of God over the possibility of death. It is a type of reasoning, if you will, and as we note next doubt often seems logical.
III. Doubt often seems logical- 12:14-16
III. Doubt often seems logical- 12:14-16
Before we move on, I think a pause to consider fear will prove helpful. I mentioned at the beginning that our emotions are altered by the fall. However, this in no way implies that all emotions are sinful. They are righteous, holy, and good, when exercised in accordance with God’s truth, and fear is among those emotions.
Jay Adams helps us, writing,
“Fear, per se, is not wrong. God implanted all emotions in man…Fear of dangers (e.g., falling over the cliff) that leads one to take necessary precautions is right and holy so long as it rests upon and grows out of a faith and trust in the providence of God.”—Jay Adams, The Christian Counselor’s Manual
The problem comes, however, when fear leans on our own understanding rather than trusting the LORD. With this fear accompanies a fallen logic.
Abram was afraid of the Egyptians. He reasoned that, if he bent the truth (or, at least did not present it as directly), he would be safe.
And isn’t this how we reason when dealing with adverse circumstances and a failure to believe God? We justify a variety of sins with human logic. How? We think we are justified not to forgive because of “what they did.”
Or, we feel that we can be short with our wives or husbands because they do things that bother us. Or, we justify our indulging in anxiety because we justify it due to the possible calamities that may come.
What is interesting is the material wealth that Abram received from Pharoah (odd that rather than facing death he enjoyed wealth). And many instances, these gifts strengthen our resolve to continue in our flawed reasoning.
For example, many, though not all, who have trouble with anxiety reason that they must take medication, and the use of medication provides a semblance of peace. The immediate effect, though, does not address the root issue, and after a while can contribute to anxiety.
Doubt often seems logical. It made sense that Abram present Sarai as his sister in order to preserve his life. We follow suite far too often, sinning in the face of adverse circumstances by failing to believe the Word of God. We must trust the promises of God rather than give in to doubt.
IV. Doubt always brings chastening- 12:17
IV. Doubt always brings chastening- 12:17
Doubt, sinful unbelief, when executed by a child of God, brings chastening (i.e., discipline). Rather than discouraging us, this should comfort us! Solomon reminds us how wonderful this chastening is in Proverbs 3:11-12. It demonstrates that you are a child of God!
Back to Abram’s account, we see Pharoah receives punishment at the hand of God. We are not told exactly what happened, and we do not need to know. The focus is not on the disease, but on Abram.
Now, you may notice that it is Pharoah, and not Abram receiving the punishment. Why? While the text does not provide a direct answer, we know God’s ultimate plans as revealed in 3:15 and 12:1-3. God chose Abram to be a blessing to all nations, and through his sin he has brought a curse, the exact opposite of what Abram was commissioned to do.
Somehow Pharoah finds out that Sarai is Abram’s wife. Pharoah, a pagan, acts more righteous than Abram, God’s chosen man. God uses all sorts of methods to chastise us as we doubt His word.
Using our example, an adverse circumstance comes into our lives. We are faced with a bad report from the doctor. We have two options, obedience or unbelief, and we doubt the Word of God and engage in anxiety. Rather than turning to the LORD, we begin taking medication or sooth the anxiety with other substances or relationships (or anything else). God may chastise us with further anxiety, or other issues related to anxiety, wooing us back into His arms and to belief in His promises.
Do not despise that chastening when it comes, in whatever form it is. It is not a hammer to smash you into pieces, it is loving discipline meant to turn your attention from your unbelief to child-like faith (see Heb. 12:4-12).
When chastening comes, we must trust the promises of God that He disciplines us for restoration, rather than give in to doubt His love and fatherly care.
V. Doubt belittles people’s perception of God- 12:18-20
V. Doubt belittles people’s perception of God- 12:18-20
Ultimately, Abram takes Sarai his wife and begins to journey back to Canaan (13:1, the Negev). God restores Abram, and the progression of God’s plan of redemption presses on.
However, I want us to consider briefly how Abram’s doubt belittled different people’s perception of God.
Abram was to be a blessing as the LORD blessed him (12:2). He was also to be the means by which the LORD blessed all the nations of the earth, which included the nation of Egypt.
Rather than fulfilling his task, Abram’s doubt, his response to the adverse circumstance, belittled Pharaoh’s perception of God. The text does not specifically mention this, but it is a logical assumption based on the events of the narrative.
Think of Sarai as well. No doubt this experience belittled her view of God, as her actions would later demonstrate (Gen. 16:1-6, 18:10-15). Abram had the privilege and responsibility to lead his wife into a deeper relationship with God, and instead he belittled God by doubting God’s ability to protect Him from Pharoah.
As we consider our own doubts and struggles, to whom’s eyes do we belittle God? Our spouse, our parents or children, our friends or fellow church members? Unsaved people?
Abram’s doubt has costly effects. Pharoah and the Egyptians paid a physical price. Abram and Sarai would go on to pay physical, emotional, and spiritual prices. Likewise, we pay the price when we doubt God’s word. How do we live differently than Abram?
Conclusion and Application
Realize that life in a fallen world comes with challenges (1 Cor. 10:13).
Put off doubt/fear like an old garment (Eph. 4:22).
Renew your mind after the truth of Scripture (Eph. 4:23).
Put on love and take God at His Word (Eph. 4:24, cf. 1 John 4:18).
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