When we left off, Abram is ordered to leave Egypt by the Pharaoh, because he had his wife lie. He told his wife to tell the Pharaoh they were brother and sister, because he believed the Pharaoh would kill him and take her for his wife. After they told the lie, the Pharaoh took Abram’s wife, and gave Abram land and livestock making him a wealthy man. The Pharaoh is subjected to God’s wrath for marrying Abram’s wife. When the Pharaoh learns of Abram’s deception, he calls upon Abram and asks why he didn’t tell him Sarai was his wife. The Pharaoh then tells Abram to take his wife, all that he owns, and leave Egypt. I question the motives of Abram, or at least his ethics. I believe the ethics of any man favorably procuring his wife should be scrutinized.
This passage begins with Abram leaving Egypt towards Negev with his wife, his possessions, and Lot. Abram has acquired great wealth–livestock, silver, and gold–while in Egypt. Lot has also acquired livestock and people who follow him. While traveling together, the people of Abram and the people of Lot began to quarrel. To prevent fighting between the two, Abram and Lot agree to separate and each to go opposite ways. Lot sees that the land of Jordan is fertile, so he choses this land. Abram goes to live in the land of Canaan. God then says to Abram, after Lot parts ways, that all the land that he sees from where he is belongs to him and his offspring forever. Abram then builds an altar for the Lord.
