Abraham, now there’s quite a fellow. He’s even listed in the hall of faithful in Hebrews. But he also pulled one of the dumbest stunts of all the personalities in Scripture.
Hard times! He had to prepare for a famine (nutritional depression). So gathering up his family, he lights out for Egypt and food.
Sometime, somewhere near Egypt, Abraham hatched a plot to protect himself at the possible disgrace of Sarah, his wife. “Honey, I’m real uptight about this Pharaoh fellow. I have a plan. When we meet him, you play like my sister—not my beloved wife.” Maybe Abraham went as far as declaring, “This charade provides for the best of all of us.” Phooey! Somehow, Pharaoh discovered the deceit. He was mad—big mad all over. Apparently, the Egyptian ruler’s morals embarrassed Abraham, and the Hebrew patriarch and family quickly exited Egypt upon the insistence of Pharaoh.
Hard times will test Christian morals. These days, months, maybe years of restrictions go totally against the grain of our lifestyle of available commodities and money to purchase needed items, and especially, wanted items.
Nobody can claim exemption from temptation. We are and will be living in a season as never before, and temptation can set off anyone toward theft, lying, and deceit. To paraphrase the Man in Black, “keep a close watch” on those morals. Heavenly Father expects of each of us a pure heart all the way through.
