Genesis 12: A Family Pattern Begins During a Famine that Sets the Stage for the Messiah
Hard times cause our faith to be tested. Will we trust the Lord to provide or will we try to navigate the trial through our own strength? Thankfully in North America, we haven’t suffered from any major national famine since the 1930’s. But that doesn’t mean it can’t happen again. If it were to come, what lengths would you go to, to save yourself, your family, and your possessions?
Abram had traveled through Canaan toward the Negev when a severe famine struck the land, so he continued southwest to the land of Egypt.
“When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife, Sarai, ‘Look, I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, “This is his wife.” They will kill me but let you live. 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.’ When Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. Pharaoh’s officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh, so the woman was taken to Pharaoh’s household. He treated Abram well because of her, and Abram acquired flocks and herds, male and female donkeys, male and female slaves, and camels.
But the Lord struck Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife, Sarai. So Pharaoh sent for Abram and said, ‘What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? 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!’ Then Pharaoh gave his men orders about him, and they sent him away with his wife and all he had.” Genesis 12:11-20
Though Abram sinned against the Lord by not trusting Him to provide and protect him, God still extended His grace by keeping Pharaoh from touching Sarai. He shone His favour upon this couple by nourishing them through the famine and even acquiring more possessions.
As you read this passage, are there any familiar parts that stand out to you? This story is very similar to something that would happen to Abram’s grandson, Jacob’s family, years later.
A famine struck every land on earth during the days of Jacob. Eleven of his sons lived near him in Canaan at the time while another son, Joseph, was governor over all of Egypt.
“Every land came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, for the famine was severe in every land.” (Genesis 41:57)
Jacob, Joseph’s father, sent his sons to Egypt to collect grain to feed the family.
“When the news reached Pharaoh’s palace, ‘Joseph’s brothers have come,’ Pharaoh and his servants were pleased. Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Tell your brothers, “Do this: Load your animals and go on back to the land of Canaan. Get your father and your families, and come back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you can eat from the richness of the land.”’” (Genesis 45:16-18)
The family came and settled in the richest part of the land, and remained there for four centuries.
“Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation eventually died. But the Israelites were fruitful, increased rapidly, multiplied, and became extremely numerous so that the land was filled with them.
A new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt. He said to his people, ‘Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and powerful than we are. Come, let’s deal shrewdly with them; otherwise they will multiply further, and when war breaks out, they will join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.’” (Exodus 1:6-10)
Like Abram, Jacob’s family multiplied greatly while in Egypt. Where Abram’s wealth, possessions, and servants multiplied, Jacob’s grandchildren and their children grew numerous. This eventually caught the attention of the new Pharaoh.
In Abram’s time, that Pharaoh endured severe plagues for taking Abram’s wife as his own. Now the Pharoh in Israel’s time would also experience severe plagues while holding God’s “bride” back from leaving.
“[Pharaoh] summoned Moses and Aaron during the night and said, ‘Get out immediately from among my people, both you and the Israelites, and go, worship the Lord as you have said. Take even your flocks and your herds as you asked and leave, and also bless me.’
The Israelites acted on Moses’s word and asked the Egyptians for silver and gold items and for clothing. And the Lord gave the people such favor with the Egyptians that they gave them what they requested. In this way they plundered the Egyptians.” (Exodus 12:31-32, 35-36)
- The Lord protected Abram from the famine and graciously sent him back to Canaan with more than he had arrived with in Egypt. Jacob’s family which later became known as the nation of Israel left Canaan to survive the famine in Egypt and also left the country with far more than they brought with them
- Abram received his bride back from Pharaoh. God received His “bride” from Pharaoh (The prophets referred to Israel as God’s bride/wife)
- Both Pharaohs faced severe plagues by keeping what wasn’t rightfully theirs. The first one was ignorant; the second was rebellious
Since Israel fled Egypt in Moses’ time, the nation was told by God to never return there. Though some did during the exile, majority stayed away, until a prophecy was fulfilled by Hosea that said, “Out of Egypt I called my Son,” (Hosea 11:1) who was the Messiah, Jesus Christ. When He was two years old, His family fled to Egypt because of a “spiritual famine” in Israel. King Herod of Bethlehem killed every baby two and under in hopes that one of them was the Messiah so he could continue to hold power over the area he governed. An angel warned Jesus’ earthly guardian, Joseph, to take Jesus’ mother, Mary, and Jesus, and flee to Egypt until he told them it was safe to return. So when Jesus and His family went, no one would have expected them to be there.
“After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, because those who intended to kill the child are dead.’ So he got up, took the child and his mother, and entered the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned in a dream, he withdrew to the region of Galilee. Then he went and settled in a town called Nazareth to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.” (Matthew 2:19-23)
Though Jesus didn’t necessarily benefit from His time in Egypt that we know of, we certainly benefitted from Him! Our freedom and spiritual prosperity flowed from His life, death, and resurrection! “Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3)
Every story strand in the Old Testament is eventually fulfilled in the New Testament, and all point to Jesus Christ. In your life and in mine, we all go through periods of famine, most often the spiritual kind. They are uncomfortable and challenge our faith. But if we keep our eyes on the Lord through it all, we will have His favour. He will provide in ways we don’t expect. He’ll sustain us and battle against our enemies with His justice. Then, when the drought is over, He will raise us up with greater value than we had before. Holy Spirit does amazing work in us through our times of suffering. It is here where our hearts are most exposed to Him. It’s where we see our need for a Saviour. It’s where we cry out in dependence and desperation. And it is here where we understand Jesus as our Redeemer.
Are you in a season of famine? Wait and watch expectantly for the Lord to provide. He will meet your need when you seek Him with all your heart. Trust in Him. Deliverance is coming.
