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.
Spiritual alignment in relationships will keep us in God’s purpose and protection. Abram who was later renamed as Abraham was instructed by the Lord to migrate to an “unknown destination”. “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you (Genesis 12:1). Abraham packed everything he had and journeyed to the Promised Land. The Lord must have guided them with a map of spiritual enlightening as he traversed through the towns until they reached Canaan. When he reached Canaan, the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” (Genesis 12:6-7). Later, he sojourned at Negev which is at the outskirts of Canaan and there was a severe famine. Abraham’s journey of obedience from his homeland took an unexpected turn when they faced scarcity and deprivation. Therefore, he decided to move to Egypt but did not consult the Lord or wait for God’s next direction.
Abraham was afraid that the Egyptians would kill him and take his wife, hence he lied that she was his sister. The sixty-five-year-old Sarah was an attractive doe hence, the Pharaoh took her to be his concubine, but the Lord inflicted Pharaoh and his household with a serious disease because of Abraham’s wife. Sarah was protected and returned to her home as the Lord intervened. However, it was during this demonic distraction that Abraham added men and female servants to his wealth. He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels. (Genesis 12:16). Later, Sarah made a very costly blunder and gave Hagar, the Egyptian slave, to Abraham. To Hagar was born Ishmael, the riotous and rebellious generation. (Genesis 16:1).
Relationships determine our spiritual alignment:
- Devalue: Misalignment in relationships will devalue us spiritually and socially. The lie of Abraham brought undue favour in the eyes of Pharaoh but there was spiritual degeneration and moral decay. Abraham was esteemed by the pagan nation at the cost of his character and virtue. Misaligned relationships will lower our spiritual standards and devalue our social morals.
- Danger: Misaligned relationships will put us and our close family and friends in danger. Had not the Lord protected Sarah she would have been abused by Pharaoh. Wrong relationships will distract us into dangerous dunghills. Misaligned relationships will endanger us and our household.
- Dregs: Misaligned relationships will drag us into disobedience and leave dregs and dribs. Men and female slaves were the Pharoah’s gift to Abraham. Meandering away from God’s plan brought the attractive slave girl and dropped a twisted idea in the heart of Sarah. Wandering away from God’s territories not only caused trouble to his wife, but also brought travesty even after he left Egypt. Misaligned relationships leave dregs.
Spiritual alignment in relationships will lead us to our divine destiny.
Genesis 12:20 Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had.
Prayer: Father God, keep me spiritually awake and alert not to partner or depend on relationships that are outside the divine alignment. Amen.
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