1

Abram returned to Canaan from Egypt

2

[Genesis 13:1-2]

So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.

3

Abram was a man of great faith. Only obeying the word of God,

at the age of 75, he left his hometown and went to Canaan.

The people of Abram arrived safely in Canaan and built an altar to God and worshiped him.

4

After some time, drought and famine began in the land of Canaan. Because of the famine, Abram's faith began to weaken, and he had no courage to stay in the land God had promised.

5

Abram thought he could no longer live there. He decided to leave Canaan,

God's promised land. Abram and his companions went down to Egypt to avoid the famine.

6

When Egypt was seen far away, Abram had great fear of his wife Sarai.

So he made an unbelieving offer to Sarai.

"You are a very beautiful woman. When the Egyptians see you, they say,

'This woman is the wife of that man.' He will kill me and save you.

So you say to them, 'My sister.' Then, it will not happen to me, and I will be able to live because of you." Abram, whose faith was weakened, was very poor.

7

When Abram and his companions arrived in Egypt, Abram's idea was right.

Sarai was so beautiful in the eyes of the Egyptians.

Abram lied to them that Sarai was his sister.

8

So the servants of Pharaoh king of Egypt informed Pharaoh that Sarai was beautiful.

When he heard the servants, he called Sarai into his palace.

Against the beautiful appearance of Sarai, Pharaoh thought to make Sarai

one of his wives.

9

So he gave a great gift to Abram. Sheep and herds, and female donkeys and

male donkeys. And he gave him a male servant, a female servant, and a camel.

Abram quickly became a very rich man.

10

But he was in danger of losing his wife Sarai to Pharaoh because of his lies.

At this time, God, who knew all these situations, helped Abram and Sarai.

The Bible says that God caused this disaster to Pharaoh and his house.

<Genesis 12:17>

11

God worked directly to keep Abram's wife. God has made a great disaster to Pharaoh king of Egypt to keep what he promised to keep his descendants through Sarai Abram's wife.

12

Pharaoh realized that Sarai was Abram's wife. Pharaoh urged Abram to speak.

"Why have you deceived me, Sarai, your wife, as your sister?

Your wife is here, let her go."

13

Pharaoh also commanded his servants.

"Now, let Abram and his wife and his men and their possessions go out of this land."

As soon as God's disaster was afraid, Abram wanted to leave his land immediately.

14

Abram left Egypt with his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his possessions.

They arrived at Negev. Abram returned as a very rich man of cattle, silver and gold.

15

Abram went back to Bethel, where they lived in Negev.

They settled back where they had

set their tents before going to Egypt. And they gave thanks to the Lord God.

16

Because of the famine, Abram made a different decision than God's will.

Abram, whose faith was weakened, went down to Egypt,

where God did not want that land, and he had a great misfortune.

But God did not forget his promise to Abram and kept it to the end.

And he led him to return to Canaan, the promised land.

17

Today, we, like Abram, received God's amazing promise.

And, like Abram, unexpected difficulties may arise and the faith may shake.

At that time, our faith can become weak like Abram.

Today, we, like Abram, received God's amazing promise.

And, like Abram, unexpected difficulties may arise and the faith may shake.

At that time, our faith can become weak like Abram. But let us remember that God, who promised us, has not changed at all! I ask you to help God day by day and I hope that you will be able to live and live in thanksgiving and praise to God in any difficulty.

(This is the sample conclusion provided by CTM. Please feel free to change the conclusion to best suit the listeners of your sermon.)