Sunday of Abram (Sermon)

The Groom who claims his Bride

Genesis 12:1-20

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Our text for this morning comes from the Old Testament Lesson. This Sunday of Abram we recall his call and the words found in verse 3, "I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Traditionally, we remember what God spoke to Abraham in Genesis 26:4 as he gives him the promise of Isaac being born, which says, "I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed."

This promises is recounted to Abram several times, but in all other cases the second part is forgotten, which maybe some of you have already forgotten as well. "him who dishonors you I will curse," and this is why we move to the second half on Genesis 12, and see the fulfillment.

The text follows Abram as he is called by God, to leave his family. We follow him through the promised Land. He then continues past the Negev to Egypt, because there is a famine in the land. In the Land of Egypt, he lies to pharaoh and his people, by telling them that his beautiful bride is not really his. He claims her only as a sister.

Pharaoh then dishonors Abram by taking Sarai as his own wife. Since Pharaoh has dishonored the bride of Abram, curses fall upon the land of Egypt. The people suffer because of this disrespect, disgrace, and abomination before The Lord. Pharaoh immediately recognizes the plagues that have befallen his house are because of God. Pharaoh confronts Abram for his lies. He confronts him, for his sin, and for leading pharaoh into sin.

This is a fabulous story for us to reflect upon. There are a couple of details that may be over looked. First, Abram gains a ton of possessions and wealth through this experience in Egypt. This could parallel the wealth the Israelites will later pillage from Egypt after the exodus.

Second, Abram rejects his wife because she is too pretty, or extremely beautiful. Abram wants to call Sarai his sister, not because he wants to cast her aside for a new or better model. He wants to cast her aside because he is not willing to die for her. Abraham, the man who is praised for not withholding his only Son, is not willing to lay down his life for his bride.

I would image that several of you may have recently given thought to the fact that marriage is connected with Christ and his church. Christ clothes his church with a perfect garment, he even cleanses her of ever spot, wrinkle, or blemish. Christ even lays down his life for his holy bride.

Abram is not here an example of Christ. He is the example of us. We have a beautiful treasure given to us, and we cast it aside for wealth. Or if not wealth, we will cast it aside rather than face persecution, or death. Even when we, not like Abram and Sarai, are called to share the good news of Jesus Christ and the Forgiveness of sins. We hold it back for ourselves. We are not willing to allow someone to know about this treasure, because we fear they will steal it from us.

Abram is set up as the example for us. He is the one who believed and righteousness was credited to him. He is the one who does not withhold his only son. He is the one who leaves everything, his family, his father, and obeys the call of God. He is supposed to be this great example.

Many people even like to point out how God increased his wealth. He had slaves and flocks when he left his father. He increases his wealth and possessions after leaving Egypt. He passes on a huge amount of wealth to Isaac.

But as we have seen, Abram is also a marvelous example of a sinner. He is a sinful man, who is called to father the nation of God's people. This sinner is still told that he will be blessed. He will even become a blessing to others. It is his offspring Jesus Christ who is the perfect one. Jesus is the only one to lead a perfect life. He is the one who lays down his life for you.

Amazing is the parallel. Jesus calls his bride through his many years of instruction. He claims the people of God to be his people. He claims them, not because they are pretty, but in spite of the fact that they are disgustingly ugly.

The religious authorities find his bride desirable. The government finds his bride desirable. Even Satan would claim Christ's bride for himself. But rather than discarding his bride, Christ claims her to be his own. He humbles himself to their power and strength. He is dragged outside of the town and killed. He is killed and these others may fight over ownership of Christ's bride. But Jesus does not stay dead. He is risen, and claims you to be his very own. He claims us to be his holy bride. He takes us from the power of Satan and all others who would try to claim us. He adorns us with his righteousness.

Think of how contrary Abram's words are to Christ.  “I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.”

Christ has laid down his life for your sake, and taken it up again so that you might also have life with him.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.