Abraham in Egypt.

Substance of a Sermon by Brother Chaitanya. References: Genesis 12:7-10, Genesis 13:6, 10-13, Genesis 19:1-3, 30.

[ Recorded by P. Ben, at YMCA, Secunderabad, Feb. 8, 2015.]
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Abraham (Abram) progressed after Terah dies- spiritual progress closely tied with death to the fleshly instincts. The tent and altar of Abraham signifies his pilgrim character and priestly privilege. Pitching his tent with Bethel on the west and Hai on the east is what Christians ought to do. As pilgrims we ought to look to the house of God (Bethel), the worldly ruins left behind (Hai). We cannot enjoy the privilege of priesthood without being pilgrims first.

Abraham loses the test of faith- the trial of famine and looks to Egypt (world), goes to Egypt. We want to progress in the things of God without losing our grip of the world- a subtle hypocrisy to which the saints of all ages have succumbed. Abraham went a little further from Bethel- the beginning of all spiritual weakness. Alas! Egypt has robbed us of our spiritual senses. Abraham loses his courage in Egypt -fears for the safety of Sarah (Sarai). It is the same thing with us when we venture into the pleasures of this world- we lose courage. Abraham is rebuked by Egypt (Pharaoh) - our standing in this world ends only with humiliation.

Egypt gave Abraham two things- Hagar and wealth- bondage and cause of strife. Difficulties could not separate Abraham and lot, but wealth possessed from Egypt did! Our fellowship is threatened not by common hardships but by vested pecuniary interests. We need to be cautious about the management of church money- the failure of which had led to the first troubles in the church (Acts).

There is no explicit statement regarding Lot’s death in the scripture. Why? I believe that the man died long back, years before- the day he saw corruption as the ‘garden of the Lord’. Abraham’s place is fellowship with God by the plains of Mamre in Hebron. Our place is very critical- either with the Lord or in the world. Let us decide where our affections are- is it in things above, looking to ‘Bethel’ and fellowshipping in ‘Hebron’? Why waste years in playing a safe balance between God and world? This calls for deep introspection and mortifying of the flesh.

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