Chapter 2: 6
Fear and its reasons (2)

Here are two other main reasons for Abraham’s fear and his decision to go down to Egypt, and to claim that Sarah was his sister.

The second reason: The wickedness of the people

When Abimelech asked Abraham why he lied and said that Sarah was his sister, Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will kill me on account of my wife.” (Genesis 20:11)

For Abraham looked around him and found that the people residing in that place don’t know God, don’t worship Him, and don’t fear Him.  And when He observed their behaviors and habits he got scared and felt he was facing danger and death.

And this is what happens with us many times when evil surrounds us everywhere, we fear for ourselves, our spouses, and our children.  But we have to believe that even though the fear of God might not be present in a certain place, God Himself exists in every place.   “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”(2 Chronicles 16:9)

Sometimes when we realize that immorality, inequality, and corruption are spreading in all places, (moral corruption, discrimination, injustice, iniquity, marital dishonesty, rebellion, spread of drugs, suicide, and killing) we are besieged with fright for ourselves, our wives, our husbands, our boys and girls, our future, and our lives.

However, we are trusting that the Lord who kept Joseph blameless in the land of Egypt, protected Daniel from the defilement of Babylon, guarded the three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, Nehemiah, and others, is able to preserve us from the corruption and brutality of this current cruel world.

Even though the fear of God is in not found in the hearts of many people, we are confident that God’s authority prevails over humanity.

The Lord, who rescued Peter from Herod, the three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego from Nebuchadnezzar’s rage, and Mordecai from Haman’s evil, is competent to deliver us anywhere and anytime. Ponder what the singer said in the Psalms, “The LORD is on my side I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 118:6).  And rejoice with the apostle Paul said: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8: 31).

The third reason: Lack of faith

If we reflect on the dialogue that went on between Abraham and Sarah before they went down to Egypt, we can conclude that Abraham’s faith started to grow weaker.  And this disadvantage was the main reason for his fear. “Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. Please say you are my sister.” (Genesis 12: 12-13)

When we are consumed with ourselves and are busy protecting our lives, we fall into the trap of fear and lack of faith. “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.”  (Proverbs 29: 25)

We cannot blame the pressures of this world and the wickedness of people as the main reasons for our fear.  But in truth the main reason is our lack of faith.  For Abraham looked at himself, felt his weakness because he was almost 80 years old, didn’t have any sons or family that could help him and protect him, and he was also responsible for Sarah, moreover, he was a stranger, therefore, he panicked. Hence, Abraham panicked and started loosing his faith when he was depending on himself and his might.

For the Lord who called you, O Abraham, is able to protect you and keep you from any evil.  He is your companion throughout your journey, and your guardian.  So do not depend on yourself but rather on your God.

This might happen to us when we focus on ourselves and our qualifications.   We find ourselves foreigners in this world, or maybe our financial resources are low or we lack self esteem, so we start to fear.  Nevertheless, let us not focus our eyes on ourselves and our capabilities, but rather center our eyes on God’s love and abilities.

Magdy Samuel