Author's Note: All previous volumes of this series are here. The first 56 volumes are compiled into the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." "Part Two," featuring volumes 57-113, was published in December.
Thanks for joining Part One of an occasional new special study topic about flawed biblical characters blessed by the Lord. “Special” because we have a guest co-writer who knows and loves the Word of God — my husband, David Adams. (Since this topic was his idea, I lovingly suggested he take action.)
Those who have spent time reading the Bible will notice that pivotal people chosen by God for His greater purpose were “blessed” with character flaws. Perhaps that is God’s way of having us relate to these flawed humans as they reflect our sins and shortcomings. So then, after we learn lessons from our failings and flaws — as did these biblical figures — God can use us as He did them to build and glorify His Kingdom on Earth.
With that in mind, let’s begin with a story about a soap-opera-worthy couple from the Hebrew Bible: Abram and Sarai (later renamed Abraham and Sarah).
Recorded in Genesis, the story begins with what is known as “The Call of Abram,” when the Lord “called” Abram into service with spectacular promises still impacting the geo-political-religious world:
“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you’” (Genesis 12: 1-3).
And then God “showed” Abram the land, and he acted accordingly:
“Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. The Lord appeared to Abram and said, ‘To your offspring I will give this land.’ So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him. From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord” (Genesis: 12:6-8).
When a famine struck the land, Abram and his wife Sarai left for Egypt, where food was plentiful. The Bible says Sarai was a “beautiful woman.” (Even at age 66, before face-lifts were invented.) And because Sarai was a stunner, Abram feared that Pharaoh would abduct Sarai and kill him upon entering Egypt. Therefore, Abram planned a lying scheme of self-preservation. He told Sarai:
“‘Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you’” (Genesis: 12:12-13).
Note that Abram did not trust God’s “Call to Abram” after the Lord said, “I will make you into a great nation.” Thus, knowing God’s promise, why would Abram think God would allow Pharaoh to kill him? But lacking trust, Abram took matters into his hands, and, as predicted, events unfolded to his benefit:
“And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her [Sarai], they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels” (Genesis 12:15-16).
Although Abram reaped monetary benefits for “sacrificing” his beautiful wife to Pharaoh, the Bible does not record what Sarai endured. So, for all the husbands reading this, what do you think about Abram’s behavior? Do you believe that God would have spared Abram’s life if he had resisted Sarai being taken into sexual servitude? (Reread the Lord’s “Call to Abram” before you answer.)
Fortunately, due to the Lord’s intervention, this sordid story ends on an upbeat note:
“But the LORD inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai. So Pharaoh summoned Abram. ‘What have you done to me?’ he said. ‘Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? Why did you say, “She is my sister,” so that I took her to be my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!’ Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had” (Genesis 12:17-20).
That passage raises the question: Why didn’t the angry Pharaoh kill Abram instead of ordering him “on his way” with his wife and “everything he had”? The question bolsters the argument that God would have protected Abram and Sarai even when they first entered Egypt, and Abram feared for his life.
I believe the answer is God’s mission, as stated in the “Call to Abram,” with God’s promises needed to be fulfilled through this couple chosen by Him — no matter how flawed Abram’s character or his lack of trust in God’s protection.
Although not stated in the Bible, one can assume that Sarai told her “husband” Pharaoh that Abram’s lies were why the “Lord inflicted serious diseases on his household.”
Due to Sarai’s beauty and whatever else she did to make Pharaoh happy before she revealed the truth, the result was fruitful:
“Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold” (Genesis 13:2).
Yes, this story reveals character flaws and raises ethical questions. Still, ultimately, the Lord chose Abraham with whom to make His Covenant. To him, God promised the “Promised Land” and to be Abraham’s God along with the God of his descendants:
“[God] He took him outside and said, ‘Look up at the sky and count the stars — if indeed you can count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be’” (Genesis 15:5).
Despite Abraham’s flaws and failings, ultimately, he proved that he trusted God in the most dramatic way — his willingness to sacrifice his son, Issac. (See Vol. 51 for the “Sacrificial connection between Abraham, Issac, and Jesus.”)
Stay tuned for a future “Part Two” of “Flawed Bible Characters Blessed by the Lord.” There are many, which is good news for us so that we can learn from them. And understand that God will be patient with us if we repent and do His will. Amen to that!
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. Her book, "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible," reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. "Part 2,” with the same title, reprints Vols. 57-113. Order it here.
Myra is also Executive Director of SignFromGod.org and the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit. Both are educational donor-supported ministries dedicated to building a permanent Shroud of Turin exhibit in Washington, D.C. See Shroud exhibit news and visit the life-sized Shroud replica in D.C. Contact: MyraAdams01@gmail.com
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