When We Do It On Our Own

Man’s Best Laid Plans

Genesis 12:10–13 (NIV)

Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.”

God did not lead contrasting from the previous account. This mirrors the decision making process of man seen in the garden. Circumstances arise and we do not seek the Lord. The promise of God is questioned and in response man takes matters into his own hands. Man’s plan includes deception and hiding resulting in our distance from God.

God’s Best Laid Plans

Genesis 12:14–20 (NIV)

When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very beautiful woman. And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.

But the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai. So Pharaoh summoned Abram. “What have you done to me?” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!” Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had.

God fulfills His covenant just as He promised. God’s plan is built on honesty and everything being brought into the light. God redeem and restores. God leads man back into His promise.

God answer the question of what if by being faithful to His promises.

Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him,

and he will make your paths straight.