Genesis 12:10-20 -- Sarai and Pharoah

Genesis 12:10 Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. 11 As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.”
14 When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very beautiful woman.15 And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. 16 He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.
17 But the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai. 18 So Pharaoh summoned Abram. “What have you done to me?” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!” 20 Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had.

So, you may think, why did Abram lie to Pharaoh and  tell him Sarai was his sister?  Now Abram was afraid of Pharaoh's men, that they would kill him and take Sarai.  Though, he forgot what God had promised him before: "I will make you into a great nation." If he is dead, how will he become a great nation?  Now, keep in mind that Abram did not lie to Pharaoh.  Sarai was his sister.  His half-sister.  Remember God had not yet commanded the people to not marry close relations.  Though Abram was wrong in not telling Pharaoh the whole truth, and not trusting in God's promise.  He may be chosen of God (like all Christians) but that does not mean he does not sin.

As a result of this sin, Abram did gain riches, earthy riches.  God can use our sinful behavior to bring about good for his people.  He would rather us not sin, but he knows the hearts and minds of men, and knows that sinning is a natural part of man, ever since the fall.

Pharaoh seemed to suffer from Abram's sin, while Abram prospered.  This somehow does not seem fair, does it?  Once Pharaoh found out about Sarai being Abram's wife, they were kicked out of Egypt.  I bet Pharaoh would not be so kind as to let them back in either.  The Bible does not say how Pharaoh found out, but I bet he was furious when he did.