A Step of Departure

We have stood on the first, second and third steps with Abram, our father of faith. We have been helped in our minds and hearts to climb the, Down, Deceit, and Death steps. We are down to the final step, with Abram and thus with the celebrating of our decade of treasures by our Faithful God. It is his Departure step.

In a real and living way, this final step must be the most difficult, yet the most freeing of all. In the full knowledge that we are being guided, watched over and kept by our Holy Spirit, so that these downs in our lives do not become our downfall, we move with Abram, our father of faith. It is what I call the freedom move. Our God is forever Trustworthy and Faithful.

When Pharaoh gave orders to his officials to send away Abram, his returned wife Sarai and his household, this was kind of sudden and unplanned. This was now Pharaoh’s decision to send them away in a most disturbing way.

• Was the famine over? Was there now food to be found in abundance so that Abram could afford to leave at this time?

• Was the relationship between Pharaoh and Abram the same as when he and his people welcomed Abram and his household to stay in Egypt?

• Was the understanding the same as when Pharaoh allowed Abram to work in his place and acquire wealth?

• Was Abram leaving as a victorious man, knowing that Pharaoh and all Egypt saw him as a liar and deceiver?

I tell you, the departure must leave a bitter taste in the mouths of Pharaoh and all Egypt, as they see this foreigner Abram, as a person whom they welcomed, but who was most dishonest. The Egyptians would remember this Hebrew and his family, whom they rescued, but who totally deceived them saying that he was not married to the woman, when in fact, he was.

Do you not see this as being a terrible downtime for Abram, as he is seen by Pharaoh as the cause of all the serious diseases, which his God had inflicted on Pharaoh and his household? Pharaoh makes no bones about blaming all the suffering in his palace upon Abram’s lie. When Pharaoh summons Abram that day, this is what he says to Abram. What have you done to me? 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? Genesis 12: 18 – 19a

Abram never confessed a thing, never revealed this fact and was going on in this vein, when God Himself intervened. God made it plain to Pharaoh, most undoubtedly so. Only then, through the disastrously heavy Hand of God upon his family, Pharaoh, realizing the error of his ways, promptly returns Sarai to Abram. Listen to these dismissing, chasing, putting out, words. Listen to Pharaoh’s voice of fear, anger and dismissal. Here is your wife. Take her and go! Genesis 12: 19b

Pharaoh has no good experience with this servant of God. His opinion of him must be really terrible. Pharaoh sends Abram away, just to get rid of him. To him, this man of the One, True Living God, is a curse in his domain. Before this servant of the Lord came, he and his entire household were well and fine. All the suffering, pain, sorrow and distress came with this servant of God. No! He has to be put out. What a departure!

It is true that Abram, though suddenly kicked out of Egypt, leaves with wealth, all that he has acquired while working in Egypt. He is blessed with sheep and cattle; male and female donkeys; menservants and maidservants; and cattle. Yes, he is quite a rich man now, leaving with far more than he had when he first made that down step into Egypt. But he leaves in poor standing and graces with Pharaoh. What a departure!

May the Lord help us to see beyond our own understanding of departure and know that He is still present with us.

Look at your father of faith. This downward step was not his downfall, neither is it yours.

We have made the climb to these four steps. Steps in Jesus, in the path of obedience to Him, always take us onward and upwards, even though they may be down steps. We have moved, regardless of how hesitantly and slowly this has been, through, Down, Deceit, Death and Departure steps. We have been given proof that not one step was a downfall for Abram, nor for us. Who can tell God how to handle our steps? Let us bow before our awesome God.

Holy God, in our journeys of faith, we too have to take down steps. As long as we are under Your control, as long as we are faithful to You, give us the courage and sense to meet each step knowing that our down step does not bring downfall. Holy God, Saviour Jesus, Ever present Holy Spirit, let not this word be lost to us and in us. To You we give all that we have and all that we are. Thank You, O Holy God. Amen!