More than just a ring

As I was reading the story of Abram further, God revealed something to me; at first glance I view the section in verses 14-20 in chapter 12 to be a moment of fear in Abram and Him losing sight of God’s promise in a way. This is something we can all relate to, the short-sightedness of mankind’s nature. In this section, we find them needing to take refuge in Egypt as a result of famine. Now the thing to note here is that due to his wife’s beauty, Abram believes that (with his own humanly knowledge) he should pretend that his wife is his sister. The reason behind this deception is of fair reason; he believes that the men of this country may seek to kill him in order to take his wife to be theirs. Now the first thing which pops out for me in this scripture is that since God, had already promised him that He would bless him with a seed which would inherit a specific land, was that then not God placing a seal of guarantee that He would be alive at least long enough to have that child? Human reasoning can get the best of us at times, as we may face one specific situation/impediment and we feel that we are done for. We forget that God has given us a promise that one day you will be queen; surely enough God would not allow you to die at least not until that crown has been placed on your head. I do not believe it to be a lack of faith however, but maybe a matter of misplaced reasoning. For if we look at the story of David, in the book of 1 Samuel, we find that King Saul attempted to kill him on several occurrences, but God was with Him, reason; God had anointed him to be the next future king. Hence, when God has made a promise He will keep it and we need to start fighting the urge to reason out a resolution with our own minds.

This however was not the lesson which God had for me. The other lesson in the story is God’s standpoint on marriage. As Abram was pretending to be the brother of his wife, the Pharaoh thus assumed that she was single, and was treating both well as a result of this. Now the scripture does not provide much detail concerning which lines were being crossed, but we could assume that there was courting of some sort as he (the pharaoh) was seeking to make Sarai his wife, as she was taken into his house. This would be the modern day dating or flirting equivalent; however with more constraints, I can only assume. As a result of this harmless situation as Abram had perceived, the pharaoh and his household is punished by God through the use of plagues.  Now the Lord has not yet set out His commandments at this stage in history, but this is an early indication as to what extent God would protect the marriage covenant from being tainted. While at the same times showing His disapproval of adultery in any form and under any circumstances. Thus revealing His stand point on the matter, and therefore if this was the stand which He took then though the pursuing party was the one being deceived into believing that she was available, God however still objected. This then demonstrates that the marriage covenant should be kept revered, even from the modern day “harmless flirting” notions. In God’s eyes your thoughts do count as sin. Thus to even entertain the flattering of any man while married other than your husband, or the sweet words of any woman while married other than your wife, is a disgrace with a consequence which you not only bring upon your own life but upon those who partake in it with you. It is thus imperative to always draw the lines and make them clearly know so as not to lead others into a sin they do not know of.  Believer, we are called to be holy and reflect holiness in every section of our lives, while making sure we do not lead others astray (1Peter 1:16, Leviticus 19:2). Therefore for those who are single respect the boundaries of the marriage covenant and do not simply excuse your desire to flirt or to go beyond that with “it’s not like they don’t want it if their marriage was not broken then they wouldn’t agree”.  To those who have entered into this covenant with God uphold it even when you are the one who is receiving the advances.

In essence the ring is more than just a ring to decorate the finger, but a covenant with God through Christ and those who wear them should hold that standard to high degree. Although there may be many lines society may create to make you believe certain behaviors are harmless and may even be acceptable at best, however the only standards which should be held are the ones we find written in the word rather than the ones seen on a tv screen. In all things honor God, through Christ seeking the clarification through the Holy Spirit.