patriarchs and prophets-第31章
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and courage so often and nobly exemplified in his life。 Sarah was fair to
look upon； and he doubted not that the dusky Egyptians would covet the
beautiful stranger； and that in order to secure her； they would not scruple
to slay her husband。 He reasoned that he was not guilty of falsehood in
representing Sarah as his sister； for she was the daughter of his father；
though not of his mother。 But this concealment of the real relation between
them was deception。 No deviation from strict integrity can meet God's
approval。 Through Abraham's lack of faith； Sarah was placed in great peril。
The king of Egypt； being informed of her beauty； caused her to be taken to
his palace； intending to make her his wife。 But the Lord； in His great
mercy； protected Sarah by sending judgments upon the royal household。 By
this means the monarch learned the truth in the matter； and； indignant at
the deception practiced upon him； he reproved Abraham and restored to him
his wife； saying； 〃What is this that thou hast done unto me？ 。 。 。 Why
saidst thou； She is my sister？ So I might have taken her to me to wife。 Now
therefore behold thy wife； take her； and go thy way。〃
Abraham had been greatly favored by the king； even now Pharaoh would permit
no harm to be done him or his company； but ordered a guard to conduct them
in safety out of his dominions。 At this time laws were made prohibiting the
Egyptians from intercourse with foreign shepherds in any such familiarity as
eating or drinking with them。 Pharaoh's dismissal of Abraham was kind and
generous； but he bade him leave Egypt； for he dared not permit him to
remain。 He had ignorantly been about to do him a serious injury； but God had
interposed； and
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saved the monarch from committing so great a sin。 Pharaoh saw in this
stranger a man whom the God of heaven honored； and he feared to have in his
kingdom one who was so evidently under divine favor。 Should Abraham remain
in Egypt； his increasing wealth and honor would be likely to excite the envy
or covetousness of the Egyptians； and some injury might be done him； for
which the monarch would be held responsible； and which might again bring
judgments upon the royal house。
The warning that had been given to Pharaoh proved a protection to Abraham in
his after…intercourse with heathen peoples； for the matter could not be kept
secret； and it was seen that the God whom Abraham worshiped would protect
His servant； and that any injury done him would be avenged。 It is a
dangerous thing to wrong one of the children of the King of heaven。 The
psalmist refers to this chapter in Abraham's experience when he says； in
speaking of the chosen people； that God 〃reproved kings for their sakes；
saying； Touch not Mine anointed； and do My prophets no harm。〃 Psalm 105：14；
15。
There is an interesting similarity between Abraham's experience in Egypt and
that of his posterity； centuries later。 Both went down into Egypt on account
of a famine； and both sojourned there。 Through the manifestation of divine
judgments in their behalf； the fear of them fell upon the Egyptians； and；
enriched by the gifts of the heathen； they went out with great substance。
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Chapter 12
Abraham in Canaan
Abraham returned to Canaan 〃very rich in cattle； in silver； and in gold。〃
Lot was still with him； and again they came to Bethel； and pitched their
tents by the altar which they had before erected。 They soon found that
increased possessions brought increased trouble。 In the midst of hardships
and trials they had dwelt together in harmony； but in their prosperity there
was danger of strife between them。 The pasturage was not sufficient for the
flocks and herds of both； and the frequent disputes among the herdsmen were
brought for settlement to their masters。 It was evident that they must
separate。 Abraham was Lot's senior in years； and his superior in relation；
in wealth； and in position； yet he was the first to propose plans for
preserving peace。 Although the whole land had been given him by God Himself；
he courteously waived this right。
〃Let there be no strife；〃 he said； 〃between me and thee； and between my
herdmen and thy herdmen； for we be brethren。 Is not the whole land before
thee？ separate thyself； I pray thee； from me： if thou wilt take the left
hand； then I will go to the right； or if thou depart to the right hand； then
I will go to the left。〃
Here the noble； unselfish spirit of Abraham was displayed。 How many under
similar circumstances would； at all hazards； cling to their individual
rights and preferences！ How many households have thus been rent asunder！ How
many churches have been divided； making the cause of truth a byword and a
reproach among the wicked！ 〃Let there be no strife between me and thee；〃
said Abraham； 〃for we be brethren；〃 not only by natural relationship； but as
worshipers of the true God。 The children of God the world over are one
family； and the same spirit of love and conciliation should govern them。 〃Be
kindly
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affectioned one to another with brotherly love； in honor preferring one
another〃 （Romans 12：10）； is the teaching of our Saviour。 The cultivation of
a uniform courtesy； a willingness to do to others as we would wish them to
do to us； would annihilate half the ills of life。 The spirit of
self…aggrandizement is the spirit of Satan； but the heart in which the love
of Christ is cherished； will possess that charity which seeketh not her own。
Such will heed the divine injunction； 〃Look not every man on his own things；
but every man also on the things of others。〃 Philippians 2：4。
Although Lot owed his prosperity to his connection with Abraham； he
manifested no gratitude to his benefactor。 Courtesy would have dictated that
he yield the choice to Abraham； but instead of this he selfishly endeavored
to grasp all its advantages。 He 〃lifted up his eyes； and beheld all the
plain of Jordan； that it was well watered everywhere； 。 。 。 even as the
garden of the Lord； like the land of Egypt； as thou comest unto Zoar。〃 The
most fertile region in all Palestine was the Jordan Valley； reminding the
beholders of the lost Paradise and equaling the beauty and productiveness of
the Nile…enriched plains they had so lately left。 There were cities also；
wealthy and beautiful； inviting to profitable traffic in their crowded
marts。 Dazzled with visions of worldly gain； Lot overlooked the moral and
spiritual evils that would be encountered there。 The inhabitants of the
plain were 〃sinners before the Lord exceedingly；〃 but of this he was
ignorant； or； knowing； gave it but little weight。 He 〃chose him all the
plain of Jordan；〃 and 〃pitched his tent toward Sodom。〃 How little did he
foresee the terrible results of that selfish choice！
After the separation from Lot； Abraham again received from the Lord a
promise of the whole country。 Soon after this he removed to Hebron； pitching
his tent under the oaks of Mamre and erecting beside it an altar to the
Lord。 In the free air of those upland plains； with their olive groves and
vineyards； their fields of waving grain； and the wide pasture grounds of the
encircling hills； he dwelt； well content with his simple； patriarchal life；
and leaving to Lot the perilous luxury of the vale of Sodom。
Abraham was honored by the surrounding nations as a mighty prince and a wise
and able chief。 He did not shut away his influence from his neighbors。 His
life and character； in their marked contrast with those of the worshipers of
idols； exerted a
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telling influence in favor of the true faith。 His allegiance to God was
unswerving； while his affability and benevolence inspired confidence and
friendship and his unaffected greatness commanded respect and honor。
His religion was not held as a precious treasure to be jealously guarded and
enjoyed solely by the possessor。 True religion cannot be thus held； for such
a spirit is contrary to the principles of the gospel。 While Christ is
dwelling in the heart it is impossible to con
