Genesis12_9-10

Genesis 12:9-10

And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south. 

And there was a famine in the land; and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was grievous in the land.

Since human beings need food to sustain their lives, Abram had to journey toward the south. The area was a desert located in the southern part of Canaan. It is a difficult path for ordinary people to follow God, because it is easy to follow the ways of the world, where there is plenty of food and entertainment for the flesh and soul. Even though Abram responded to God’s calling and followed His instructions, he gradually entered a place near Egypt. In the Bible, Egypt represents the world controlled by Satan.

After Abram arrived there, there was a famine. It was an important test of Abram’s faith. As we know, Adam and Eve fell because of eating the forbidden fruit. Similarly, Abram faced temptation through the need for food. Without it, a person cannot survive for long. Food is one of the most essential provisions for human beings; in fact, it is as important to us as air.

Since the famine was grievous in the land, Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there. From a natural perspective, it was a normal and reasonable choice for him. Nevertheless, Abram was a man called by God who heard and believed His word. In fact, what he did resembles Adam’s mistake. God had told Adam not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but he did. This indicates that Adam did not have enough faith in God’s word. Similarly, Abram had some doubt in his mind.

If Abram had possessed strong and sufficient faith in God’s word, he would not have left the place God had promised to him. However, his flesh overcame his will, and he went down into Egypt to sojourn there.

In short, God cares about whether people believe and trust what He says to them.