Evening star., 1932-04-23

Abrams faith was tested by famine
shortly after he reached the Promised
Land. Moved by the economic pressure
of the drought, he sought the fertile
fields of Egypt. In making this move,
there is no record that he was gulded
by Jehovah. In fact, this may account
ior the spirit of fear that caused Abram
to persuade his wife, Sarai to agree
with him that if their relationship
should be asked in Egypt, they would
claim that they were brother and sister.
This was partially true, for Terah was
their father, but they had different
mothers. This evident lapse Of con-
fidence in Gods sustaining and pro-
tecting power came near proving fatal.
Egyptian officials were attracted by
the beauty of S2rai, with the result
that Pharaoh sought her hand from
Abram By their deception both Saral
and Abrar. as well as Lot, received
generous gifts from the ruler OF Egypt.
Arrangements were made for the mar
riage of Pharaoh and Sarai. About the
time the matrimonial event was to take
place and Sarai was to be added to the
harem of the Pharaoh providentlal
illness of the Egyptian ruler interfered
with the plans of the court Convinced
and that in some manner Abram and
Sarai had received him, he sent for
them. Abram, when he was brought
face to face with the Pharaoh, realized
his sin. In his danger, in all probabil-
itv. Abram sought help from Jehovah,
his friend, whose provi6entisl aid prob
ably prevented the Egyptian official
from taking offense. In fact, he did
not demand the return of his gifts. that
had added to the wealth of Abram and
Lot.
Given the protection of Pharoah,
Abram returned to Palestine with an in
crease of his focks and possessions.
They returned through the southern
part of the land until they reached
Bethel where Abraham had first
erected an altar to Jehovah, Once
more they worshiped Him. Peril, pri-
vation. and relationship had united Lot
and Abram. They had returned before
the effects of the drought and famine
had disappeared from the land Pros
perity threatened their peace. The in
crease of their herds made it difficult
for the herdsmen of Abrsm and Lot to
find pssturage and water for their
focks especially on the rocky heights of
Bethel Differences over the question
If water rights threatened to destroy the
fellowship and peace that existed be-
tween Abram and Lot.
Abrams Peace Offer.
While the statesmen are investigating
the crisis in Manchuria, the mission
aries in japan have called the nations
of the world to recognize the possible
peril in the present situation in the
Far East. They have asked for the
practical application of the principles
of the Lord Jesus as the way to solve
the Chinese and japanese differences
OF the moment. When the noise of
the strife reached the ears Of Abram,
he Immediately took action to prevent
the differences that existed between
the herdsmen becoming the basis of
difficulty between his nephew and him
self The influence Of his communion
with God was revealed in his suggestion
to Lot Let there be no strife be-
tween US. because we are brethren"
If the same spirit should move the
Conference on Disarmament, its deci-
sions will remove one of the greatest
burdens from the shoulders of hu-
manity.
Abram was not thinking of his riches,
for he is the first man mentioned in
the Bible as being rich. He vas in
different to his financial standing for
he was thinking Of the bad influence
that differences between Lot and him.
self would have on the members Of
other races. who than dwelt in the
land. He saw that the good effect that
their religious life had exerted upon
these people would disappear, if they
allowed the quarrels of their herdsmen