Abram and Sarai in Egypt

A severe famine came over the land where Abram was living. Because the famine was so serious, Abram went down to Egypt to live there as a foreigner for a time.

As they came near Egypt, Abram spoke to Sarai his wife. He knew she was beautiful, and he was afraid. He thought the Egyptians might kill him and let her live if they knew she was his wife. So he asked Sarai to say that she was his sister, hoping this would go well for him and save his life.

When Abram came into Egypt, people saw that Sarai was very beautiful. Pharaoh's princes noticed her and praised her to Pharaoh. Then Sarai was taken into Pharaoh's house.

For Sarai's sake, Pharaoh treated Abram well, and Abram had sheep, cattle, donkeys, servants, and camels. But the Lord afflicted Pharaoh and his household with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife.

Pharaoh called Abram and asked why he had not said that Sarai was his wife. Pharaoh said that because Abram had called her his sister, he had taken her to be his wife. Then Pharaoh told Abram to take Sarai and go, and he ordered men to escort Abram away with his wife and everything he had. What does this story show about the trouble that fear and deceit can bring?