Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso
"There was at that time a terrible famine in the land: and so Abram went on down to Egypt to live." (Genesis 12:10)
Tests throughout our life can teach us to think clearly and to constantly trust in God. When famine struck, Abram went to Egypt where there was food. Why would there be a famine in the land to which God had just called Abram?
This was a test of Abram’s faith, and Abram passed. He didn’t question God’s leading when facing this difficulty. Many believers find that when they determine to follow God, they immediately encounter great obstacles and question themselves.
The next time you face such a test, don’t try to second-guess what God is doing. Use the intelligence God gave you, as Abram did when he temporarily moved to Egypt, and waited for new and right opportunities.
Tests show us that making one good decision may not always prevent another bad decision. Having trusted God and moved to Egypt for a while, Abram immediately made a bad choice.
Acting out of fear, he asked Sarai to tell a half-truth and say that she was his sister. She was his half sister, but she was also his wife (see Genesis 20:11-12).
Abram’s intention was to deceive the Egyptians. He feared that if they knew the truth, they would kill him to get Sarai. She would have been a desirable addition to Pharaoh’s harem because of her wealth, beauty, and potential for political alliance.
As Sarai’s brother, Abram would have been given a place of honor. As her husband, however, his life would be in danger, because Sarai could not enter Pharaoh’s harem unless Abram was dead.
So Abram lost faith in God’s protection, even after all God had promised him, and told a half-truth. This shows how lying compounds the effects of sin. When he lied, Abram’s problems multiplied. Because of his lie, his tests became real trials. Would you trust in God?
Ia manuia,
failauga p. anoa'i
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