Lesson 2: Learning From Failure

A. INTRODUCTION

1. Abram was the Friend of God, also called A Man of Faith, but was also a man of failure.

2. God called Abram to the land. "Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him" (12:4). But God didn’t call him to Egypt. (silence).

3. Two strengths. Two things reflected Abram’s relationship with God. "Pitched his tent . . . builded an altar unto the Lord, and called on the name of the Lord" (Gen. 12:8).

a. Altar - forgiveness of sin.

b. Tent - separation from the world.

4. Two problems. Why Abram left the Promised Land.

a. The enemy - Canaanites in the land (v.6).

b. Famine (v.10).

5. Two omissions. The story is silent. In Egypt, Abram did not live in a tent, nor did he call on God.

6. Two compromises. Abram asked his wife to lie (v.13) and he also took a bribe (v.16).

B. TWO SETS OF STEPS

Downward

1. No tent or altar - No communication

2. Eyes on enemy & famine - No faith

3. Call Sarai his sister - No sin

4. Home in Egypt - No compromise

Upward

1. Leave Egypt (13:1) - Repent

2. Recognize wife (13:2) - Restoration

3. See God (13:4) - Prayer

4. Return to tent & altar (13:3-4) - Communion

C. TWELVE PRINCIPLES TO TAKE AWAY

1. Our faith grows cold when we don’t constantly rekindle the things symbolized by the tent and altar, i.e., separation and communion. There was no tent or altar in Egypt.

2. Just because we obey God once and receive a special blessing, doesn’t keep us from backsliding in the future.

3. Since Egypt is a symbol of the world in Scriptures, it is always down; "Abram went down into Egypt" (v.10). "Abram went up out of Egypt" (13:1).

4. We get in trouble by accepting temporary solutions rather than searching for biblical solutions. "The famine was grievous in the land" (v.10).

5. Even when our fears are reasonable, we should not abandon one’s principles. "The Egyptians will see thee . . . they will kill me, but they will save thee alive" (v.12). Egyptian women faded early and did not wear a veil, but women from Asia were dark, wore veils and were desired by Egyptians. Sarai was 65 years old at the time.

6. Some of our problems may not be as severe as we fantasize. The Canaanites did not go to Egypt.

7. A half-lie that is not the whole truth is wholly wrong when we deceive another. Technically Sarai was Abram’s biological half-sister (20:12); she was the daughter of his father, but not his mother.

8. When we backslide, God doesn’t always punish us with outward poverty; our greatest punishment is inward. "Pharaoh entreated Abram to wealth because of Sarai" (12:16 ELT).

9. Most backsliders don’t repent by their own decision; God has to intervene to bring them back to Himself. "The Lord plagued Pharaoh" (v.17). "Pharaoh commanded his soldiers to accompany Abram out of Egypt" (13:20 ELT).

10. Some things we pick up out of fellowship with God will cause us problems for the rest of our life. "Abram’s wife . . . had a handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar" (16:1).

11. In order to restore fellowship with God, we have to go back to the place where we lost it. (Abram), "Went on his journeys . . . unto Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning . . . unto the place of the altar" (13:3,4).

12. We pray best - not when we get caught - but when we fully repent . . . restore . . . and return. "Abram called on the name of the Lord" (13:14).

*****

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.

To get Dr. Towns’ Home Page for books, www.elmertowns.com.