Read the Passage: Genesis 12

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: Genesis 12

Statement of Covenant (12:1–3)

Gen. 11:31–32 records that Abraham’s father, Terah, moved his family from Ur of the Chaldeans to Haran. The text notes that as the family was moving to Canaan, they stopped for some unstated reason, and dwelt in Haran. While Gen. 11:31 does not disclose why Terah decided to uproot his family from Ur, Gen. 12:1 explains that it was because God had appeared to Abraham and commanded the relocation. Indeed, later in Scripture, Stephen taught that God appeared to “Abraham when he was [still] in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran” (Acts 7:2). Furthermore, the author of Hebrews reveals it was “by faith [that] Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.” Thus, when Moses wrote in Gen. 11:31 that Terah was moving to the land of Canaan, this was written with later knowledge of their destination.

The Abrahamic Covenant is so foundational that it is referenced almost fifty times in the remained of the book of Genesis. This covenant has three main aspects. First, the national aspect is given in Gen. 12:1, as God commanded Abraham, “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.” This is later developed in the Palestinian Covenant (cf. Deut. 1:8). Second, the personal aspect is stated in Gen. 12:2 as God promised, “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.” This is later explained in the Davidic Covenant (cf. 2 Sam. 7:12). Third, the universal aspect is communicated in Gen. 12:3, “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” This is later fulfilled in the New Covenant (cf. Jer. 31:31–34).

Appearance of God (12:4–9)

While his father chose to settle in Haran, Abraham likely understood that this was not his final destination (cf. Acts 7:4). Therefore, when Terah passed away (cf. Gen. 11:32), it became possible for Abraham to continue the trip to the land of Canaan, which he did. Gen. 12:4–5 records that Abraham’s journey to Canaan occurred when he was 75 years old and that the family traveling party included Abraham, his wife Sarah, his nephew Lot, and their servants. When Abraham finally arrived in the Promised Land, it must have been discouraging, for “the Canaanites were then in the land” (Gen. 12:6). Given his possible dismay, Gen. 12:7 reports that God appeared to Abraham and reiterated the national and personal aspects of the Abrahamic Covenant. In response, Abraham built an altar to the Lord. This is the first explicit appearance of God to Abraham, and Abraham’s first clear worship of the Lord.

Deception of Abraham (12:10–20)

Gen. 12:10 reports that “there was a famine in the land.” This is one of several famines in the land of Canaan that are recorded in the book of Genesis (cf. Gen. 26:1; 41:56). As a result of this famine, Abraham headed to Egypt. It is questionable as to whether or not Abraham should have departed the Promised Land; however, it is noteworthy that he did not return to Mesopotamia. Yet, in heading toward Egypt, Abraham was fearful that he would be killed for his wife, and that Sarah would be forcibly taken into Pharaoh’s harem. Although she was at least 65 years old at this time, Sarah was apparently still “a woman of beautiful countenance” (Gen. 12:11). Therefore, Abraham asked Sarah to conceal the fact that they were married, and to say that they were merely brother and sister. Although Sarah really was Abraham’s half-sister (cf. Gen. 20:12–13), this self-centered deceit was a half-truth (and half-lie), at best.

While Abraham’s deceitful actions were wrong, his fear that the Egyptians would desire Sarah for her beauty was legitimate, for when “the Egyptians saw [that] the woman . . . was very beautiful” (Gen. 12:14), Sarah was taken into Pharaoh’s harem. Despite Abraham’s deceit, then, it is ironic that he was treated well and blessed by Pharaoh with much livestock and many servants. However, this arrangement did not last long, as Moses writes, “The Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai” (Gen. 12:17). The text does not indicate how Pharaoh became aware that the plagues were the result of his conscription of Sarah. Yet, somehow Pharaoh learned that Sarah was Abraham’s wife, thus he rebuked Abraham for his deception and sent the couple away. Note that Pharaoh showed more character in his rebuke of Abraham than Abraham did in his deception of Pharaoh.

Application Questions:

1. How important is the concept of covenant in the Bible? What are some of the most important covenants in Scripture?
2. Has God ever commanded you to do something for which obedience was an act of faith and trust?
3. How can we see the various aspects of the Abrahamic Covenant developed and fulfilled in the rest of Scripture?
4. Is it ever acceptable to conceal the truth, part of the truth, or even to outright lie, to protect human life?
5. How can Christians balance being wise in the world (cf. Matt. 10:16), with not fearing man (cf. Prov. 29:25)?