Getting Back to Bethel

INTRODUCTION

They say never meet your heroes. Why? Because even they have feet of clay.

Every human - no matter how great - is merely human. At some point they’re going to disappoint you.

I remember as a young pastor being so shocked at the moral failure of a great preacher I looked up to. Then, slowly, with time, I grew more and more accustomed to the pattern.

Some of you, against all odds, are still here this morning even though it was a “Christian person” who offended you or failed you in life.

It’s one of the hard truths we all eventually learn.

Even great men and women are merely human. And humans are prone to fail.

Set The Table

This morning we’re going to see that pattern in the life of a man named Abram: the founding Father of faith.

Last week Abram gave us a blueprint for genuine faith. Faith that stands apart from the counterfeit faiths we see in our world today. Faith marked by genuine and godly fruit (obedience, evangelism and worship.)

Last week, Abram was on the mountaintop of faith. This week he enters a valley of tribulation valley of tribulation.

Those mountain top experiences have faded into the background and his current circumstances are marked by difficulty and spiritual dryness.

It’s one of the things you must know about the Christian life. There will be seasons that God allows pain and suffering to come into your life to test you.

Genuine faith is always tested. And even the faithful sometimes fail the test.

In this season of Abram’s life, God is going to use Abram’s difficulties and failures to refine his faith and restore his reliance on God.

From Bethel Back Home

I’ve titled the message “Back to Bethel.” In Hebrew the Word Bethel stands for “House of God.”

When we last left Abram he was in Bethel, calling on the name of the Lord and offering sacrifices to the God of his salvation.

But from Bethel we’re going to see Abram go on journey that takes him into the “far country” away from the Lord.

Abram’s journey shows us why faith fails and how God is always faithful to bring us back home.

Let’s pick it up in Genesis 12:8

Genesis 12:8 (CSB)

8 From there he moved on to the hill country east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. He built an altar to the Lord there, and he called on the name of the Lord.

I wanted us to start in verse 8 to be reminded of how closely Abram was walking with the Lord.

It’s important because there will be mountain top experiences in your Christian life where you are good, life is good and God is good. Praise GOD for those seasons!

But there will also be seasons where God feel more distant and life is much harder and your faith doesn’t feel as strong.

And that is characterized by Abram’s journey - by stages - down into the Negev. (Gen 12:9)

Genesis 12:9 (CSB)

9 Then Abram journeyed by stages to the Negev.

The Hebrew word translated Negev literally means the dry southern regions.

If you look on this map (MAP) you’ll see it’s positioned right between the fertile regions of the promised land (Israel) and the northern tip of Africa (Egypt.)

The physical geography might have also characterized Abram’s spirituality because when God allows some hardship to enter his life his first response isn’t to call on the name of the Lord.

Famine and Failure

Let’s pick it back up in Genesis 12:10

Genesis 12:10 (CSB)

10 There was a famine in the land, so Abram went down to Egypt to stay there for a while because the famine in the land was severe.

The Bible doesn’t usually exaggerate.

So when it says the famine in the land was severe it means it was SEVERE. The Hebrew word conveys the idea of violent hunger, starvation and death.

We don’t know the cause of the famine. It could’ve been a drought, bugs, some natural disaster.

The point is Abram wasn’t able to take care of his people.

This was an existential threat.

Things could not continue as they were. Something had to change.

Best Life or Broken World?

There is false teaching out there that says “if you’ll just follow God and do what he says then he’s going to bless you and you’re life will get better.”

In one sense, when you live in God’s world according to God’s design then generally speaking you’ll have a “good life.”

But just because it’s a good life doesn’t mean it’ll be an easy life.

We still live in a world broken by sin. And because of that, there will be seasons that we experience pain and suffering and brokenness. It’s unavoidable.

It doesn’t matter how much you love the Lord, pray, worship, go to church, etc. We live in a broken world.

In a broken world trials are unavoidable.

For Christian people, “faith and famine” often go together.

We’re not given any reason why Abram might’ve “deserved” this famine.

Likewise, your personal “famine” might not be God’s punishment or discipline.

God’s Test & Our Flesh

That’s why it’s very important how we respond during hard times.

We can’t choose what we suffer but we can choose how.

We can’t escape suffering but we can choose who we rely on when it happens.

We can depend on the Lord or we can depend on ourself.

To use Biblical terminology - we can walk by the Spirit or we can live in the flesh.

Here’s the first thing we learn from Abram’s response.

When God brings the test don’t lean on the flesh.

Abram choose a path of fear and self-reliance instead of faith in God’s provision.

“Down to Egypt”

That’s why Abram goes “down into Egypt.” (cf. Jonah down, down down).

Notice he never talks to God about it. No prayer. No questioning. No guidance. Just a calculated decision to escape this suffering and solve this problem on his own.

F.B. Meyer quote: “In the figurative language of Scripture, Egypt stands for alliance with the world and dependance on the arm of flesh.” (cf Isaiah 31:1)

Abram acted simply on his own judgment. He looked at his difficulties. He became paralyzed with fear and grasped at the first means of deliverance without consulting with the Lord.

Personal App

What do you do when God brings the test into your life?

When the pressure mounts or your family is in danger is our first impulse prayerful dependance or fearful self-reliance?

Most men default to putting your big girl panties and deal with it. I know that’s been true of my life.

It’s because of this self-reliance that we can see something has shifted in Abram’s faith. The former acts of faith and self-surrender have been replaced with fear and unbelief.

And that’s why God is going to use this famine to refine Abram’s faith.

God may not have caused the famine but he’s going to use the famine for his cause.

Just like God may not be the cause of your trials but can use your trials for his cause.

With Abram, he allows this famine to produce failure in his life. And it is through that failure that God refines Abram’s faith and brings him back to a place of right-relationship. (righteousness)

Failure & Faithlessness

We get a glimpse of Abram’s failure in verses 11-13. Genesis 12:11-13

Genesis 12:11–13 (CSB)

11 When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife, Sarai, “Look, I know what a beautiful woman you are. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ They will kill me but let you live. 13 Please say you’re my sister so it will go well for me because of you, and my life will be spared on your account.”

There’s so much to say about these three verses.

One of the most interesting things is the beauty of Sarai. The Hebrew word used means “drop dead gorgeous.” And this is at 65 years old! (there’s hope, ladies!)

Her beauty was not just physical. She was the wealthiest and most powerful woman in their tribe. She’s the prize.

And in ancient cultures, it was not uncommon for women to become objects of trade and commerce. Father’s would often give their daughters in marriage in exchange for economic gain/security.

That is what’s going on in Abram’s mind when he makes this request.

A Believable Lie

Oddly enough it’s not even a complete lie. In Gen 20:12 we learn that Abram and Sarai have the same father but different mothers.

So this may not be a lie but neither is it honest.

And that’s the first truth we learn about spiritual compromise from this passage.

#1: Compromise begins with a believable lie about how to escape.

I’m sure it sounded like a great idea at first. But not every open door is from the Lord! (Jonah & Tarshish; Sampson & Delilah; David & Bathsheba; Solomon & 100 wives)

Just because it sounds good doesn’t mean it is good.

If you have to disobey God to escape your problem then you’re going the wrong way. It doesn’t matter what it is or what justifications you may have.

A Fearful/Greedy Motivation

Which leads to the second truth about spiritual compromise from this passage.

#2 Spiritual compromise is motivated by fear and greed around an unknown future.

Fear and greed were the two thing motivating Abram’s deception. Fear of dying and greed for material prosperity.

Abram wanted to have his cake and eat it too. The idea being that when suitors come knocking he would say, “As her brother - I’ll consider it… but I’m also open to other offers. Would anybody else like to be my friend?”

In this way, not only would he be safe from physical harm but he would also have a way to get rich.

Fear and Greed are a powerful recipe for spiritual compromise in your life. They are enemies to a life of faith.

They are the two things we most commonly use to “justify” sin and “rationalize” foolish behavior.

APP: If you went back and looked at your greatest regrets and most embarrassing moments, I’d venture to bet that fear or greed gave birth to a believable lie that put you in a compromising position.

The Collateral Damage

Unfortunately for Abram (and even more so for Sarai) his brilliant scheme doesn’t go according to plan.

Genesis 12:14–15 (CSB)

14 When Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15 Pharaoh’s officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh, so the woman was taken to Pharaoh’s household.

These verses provide us with the third truth about spiritual compromise.

#3. Spiritual compromise results in collateral damage on the people you love. You can choose your sin but not it’s collateral damage.

You can choose your sin but you can’t control it’s consequences.

Abram’s wife has now been taken into Pharaoh’s harem. (to say it in a PG way) This would’ve been devastating for Abram and even more so for Sarai!

It’s left to our imagination but the sexual union between her and the king would’ve been neither pleasant nor consensual.

This is unforgivable! Abram was supposed to be her protecter! Her provider!

What makes this even worse is that Abram continues the lie even after Sarai is taken.

The Snare of Satan

Which leads to the last truth about spiritual compromise from this passage. Genesis 12:16

Genesis 12:16 (CSB)

16 He treated Abram well because of her, and Abram acquired flocks and herds, male and female donkeys, male and female slaves, and camels.

All Abram had to do was tell the truth about Sarai being his wife and he would’ve gotten her back and put an end to this madness. But he refused.

Why? Maybe it was fear. Maybe it was greed. Who knows the lies he told himself. Whatever it was, it’s a reminder of something about spiritual compromise.

#4: Spiritual compromise continues because of Satan’s Snare.

One of the most effective snares to keep us in a place of spiritual compromise is material prosperity.

Money. Power. Success. Fame. These are seductive powers on the human soul.

How many times have you failed to do what you knew was right because you weren’t willing to pay the financial cost?

For some of you it might be the issue of honoring God with your finances. Tithing. Etc. How do you break the snare? By giving generously to the Lord!

With each gift Abram’s conscience was growing more and more numb.

Not all material prosperity is a gift from the Lord. Sometimes it functions as a snare from the devil.

Satan, through Pharaoh, is seducing Abram with wealth that’ll enslave him to a life divorced from God’s plan and blind to God’s promise.

The Promises of God

Which leads us to the final and most important truth about spiritual compromise. The truth that undergirds this entire episode in Abram’s life.

#4: Spiritual compromise blinds us to the promises and plan of God.

The most devastating thing about this story isn’t just that Abram becomes comfortable with the reality of pimping out his wife.

It’s that his ability to do so FUNDAMENTALLY CONTRADICTS the promises and plan of God for his life.

Remember God’s promise in Genesis 12:2-3?

Remember God’s promise in Genesis 12:7?

“To your offspring I will give this land.”

“I will bless you and through you bless the entire world.”

Abram’s failure was a direct result of forgetting God’s promise. Abram has

abandoned the land God gave him to inherit.

abandoned his wife from whom the promise child would come

abandoned God’s purpose to be a blessing to those around him.

What began as a small moral compromise culminated in a life of faithlessness and total failure.

Take Heed Lest You Fall

What about you? Have you allowed moral compromises and fear/greed to bring you to a place of faithlessness and spiritual failure?

Maybe you started off right but somewhere along the way the pressures of life caused you to compromise on God’s will and now you’re trapped in a prison of your shame and regret?

Maybe, like Abram, you know what you need to do. All it would take is ONE MOMENT of brutal honesty, to liberate you from Satan’s snare. But you’re unwilling to do so.

Do you resonate with Abram’s failure?

Listen: you are not the only Christian who struggles with sin and shame.

Every human heart is prone to wander. Prone to leave the GOD WE LOVE.

That’s why the Scripture encourages us to “take heed lest we fall.”

The best thing about Abram’s story is this:

Even though he was stuck in a prison of shame and unbelief - God was still faithful to keep his covenant promise!

Even to the faithless, God is faithful to keep his promises.

The Faithfulness of God

The ONLY mention of God in this passage shows up in verse 17. Genesis 12:17-20

Genesis 12:17–20 (CSB)

17 But the Lord struck Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife, Sarai. 18 So Pharaoh sent for Abram and said, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She’s my sister,’ so that I took her as my wife? Now, here is your wife. Take her and go!” 20 Then Pharaoh gave his men orders about him, and they sent him away with his wife and all he had.

I love these verses so much. Even though Abram abandoned his wife. The Lord never did.

We’ve not given the details on how but the Lord made it clear to Pharoah that to take Sarai for himself would only invite the wrath of God.

We don’t know what these plagues were but it’s reminiscent of the 10 plagues from the Exodus narrative.

Keep, Expose, Cover

THE LORD WAS FAITHFUL...

to protect Sarai while in the hand of Pharoah.

to expose Abram and the lie that had enslaved him.

to move Pharoah to send them away without loss.

God is faithful to keep us in our suffering, expose us in our sin and cover us with his abundant mercy and grace.

I know I can personally testify to the goodness of God in all these ways.

There were seasons of rebellion that I know the Lord kept me from prison and death.

One of the greatest gifts that God can give is to expose your sin when you won’t do it yourself. (nosy momma, suspicious wife, exposed sin, wonderful gift!)

And when God does expose your sin he doesn’t speak condemnation and wrath. He speaks a better word of forgiveness, reconciliation, mercy and grace.

Abram deserved death! And Pharoah could’ve/should’ve killed him. He deserved to lose his wife and God’s promise about his future. Instead he kept his life.

Not only did he receive mercy (not getting what he deserved). He also received grace upon grace (getting to keep what he didn’t deserve.)

Speaking Through Pagans

The craziest part about all of this is God’s use of a pagan king to accomplish these things in Abram’s life.

God can use anybody fulfill his purpose. And sometimes he’ll use even our enemies to speak a truth we won’t hear from anybody else.

“Take your wife and GO!” It’s the same Hebrew construction used in Genesis 12:1-2 when God first spoke to Abram.

Oh the faithfulness of God to keep his covenant promise. A God is full of mercy and grace and steadfast love.

God’s Grace in Salvation

What was given to Abram can also be recieved by us. But we don’t receive God’s mercy and grace through a pagan king like Pharoah.

Today, we receive God’s mercy through the true King, Lord Jesus. God’s mercy and grace are now channelled through him.

2 Corinthians 1:20 (CSB)

20 For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in him. Therefore, through him we also say “Amen” to the glory of God.

The God of the patriarchs is the God of the present. And we become children of Abraham through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Getting Back to Bethel

But how do you receive that grace in your life today? How do you experience God’s faithfulness in YOUR failure?

That’s what we see happen in the first four verses of Genesis 13.

Abram’s failures in chapter 12 are met with God’s faithfulness in chapter 13.

Genesis 13:1–4 (CSB)

1 Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev—he, his wife, and all he had, and Lot with him. 2 Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold. 3 He went by stages from the Negev to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had formerly been, 4 to the site where he had built the altar. And Abram called on the name of the Lord there.

There are four things Abram does here.

Turn away from our Egypt

Turn back towards our Bethel

Come to the altar

Call on the Lord

First Abram turns away from Egypt. (Gen 13:1)

This is what the Bible calls repentance.

It means to change one’s mind leading to a chance in one’s life. Agree with God about the facts and turn away from the things you know displease him.

Remember, Egypt is a symbol for worldliness and self-reliance.

Repentance is not just sadness over the sinful things we do. It’s a spirit of absolute surrender and submission to God. True repentance is a poverty of spirit and brokenness over our spiritual condition that enables us to release our grip on the things of this world and surrender our lives completely to God.

Secondly, Abram turn back towards Bethel. (Gen 13:2-4a)

(Remember, Bethel was the place Abram’s tent had been before going down into the Negev). He was going back to Canaan, back to the promised land.

In doing so he was showing that Egypt was not his true home. His home was with the Lord.

Egypt was not his identity. He didn’t belong there. He belonged at home with the Lord. God has grafted us in. When God adopts us we can’t change his love for us and our belonging to him. Home is coming back where we belong.

Where is your Bethel? Where is the “house of God” in your life?

What were those spiritual practices and spiritual places where you first encountered God? Go back and do the things that you did at first!

Thirdly, Abram comes down to the Alar. (Gen 13:4)

Moses specifically mentions the altar that Abram had built. The altar on which he offered those burnt offerings and blood sacrifices to say to God, “I surrender, Lord.’ “You are worthy of it all!

Abram is going back to that place where He encountered the Lord. He’s going back to the place where he had fellowship with God.

We don’t know what all Abram does but I bet he was asking himself, “what did I do? How did I miss this? What’s going on within me to abandon all that I know is true? To reject God’s goodness and grace and go my own way?” (cf. 1 John 1:9)

Abram is confessing. He’s calling sin what it is. He’s not pretending like it didn’t happen. It not just an action. It’s a conviction of humility and surrender.

Finally Abram calls on the name of the Lord (Gen 13:4).

Abram says to God, “Lord I can’t do this. I thought I could do this in my own strength until this famine hit. But now I recognize how desperately I need you. Now I recognize how wicked my heart really is when I live in my own flesh. He’s calling out to God.

Coming Home

Abram’s model is our model. It’s God’s invitation to you this morning.

Maybe this morning God has gracious exposed a sin you were previously unwilling to see. And he’s inviting you to turn away from Egypt, and return home where you belong.