Patriarchs and Kings

10Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. 11As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are.12When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. 13Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.”

14When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very beautiful woman. 15And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. 16He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.

17But the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai. 18So Pharaoh summoned Abram. “What have you done to me?” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife?19Why 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!”20Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had. (Genesis 12:10-20)

Thoughts: Three times a similar story is related.  Once in Genesis 12:10-20; once in Genesis 20:1-18; and then a third with Isaac in Genesis 26:1-16. 
The differences is the first two were with Abraham- once in Egypt with Pharaoh, another in the Negev with Abimelech.  Isaac also copied his father with another king named Abimelech.  Abimelech appears to be more of a title.  The pattern is that Abrham/Isaac leave their land because of a famine to go to a different land.  The beautiful wife is said to be a sister when she is not a full sister- but a relative.  In the end the king gives the patriarch a lot of things in honor of his wife.  The king gets sick and asks the patriarch to pray for them and is healed. 
    Why three similar stories.  It is a reminder that the Patriarchs are more powerful than the greatest kings of the region with God's help.  Abraham did it twice because it worked for him producing great wealth.  Isaac copied his father.  God found a way to bless the patriarchs even in the midst of famine. 

Prayer: Lord, when there is scarcity, bless that your name alone may be praised.