Before his name was changed by God to Abraham, Abram was a young man trying to make his way in the world. Unfortunately, as we learn in this Bible story, the means he employed to gain material success do not quite square with John's sense of morality......
Bible Reading: Genesis 12
11: And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: 12: Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. 13: Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee. 14: And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair. 15: The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. 16: And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels. 17: And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife. 18: And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife? 19: Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way. 20: And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.
John's Midrash
Let us assume that a man named Abe takes a trip to Las Vegas with his very beautiful wife Sarah. Abe realizes that other men will find Sarah’s charms very provocative indeed. He tells her that he is scared that he will be killed by the rough and tumble types that inhabit Vegas, and thus, he will introduce her, not as his wife, but as his sister.
They meet a very powerful and wealthy guy, let’s say Steve Wynn. Mr. Wynn immediately falls for the sexy “sister”; and in order to seal the deal as far as a sexual relationship goes, showers many expensive gifts upon the two “siblings”. After much treasure has exchanged hands, the authorities find out about this little arrangement, and it is time for the piper to be paid.
So who’s in trouble? In human terms, perhaps there is blame all around, but the lion’s share clearly must go to Abe. He is essentially offering Sarah’s sexual services to another man in exchange for material wealth. In his defense, he might point out that he believed that Mr. Wynn would murder him if he thought they married. Abe seems to believe that murdering him would be the only way Mr. Wynn could get Sarah. But the story gives no evidence that such a murder was inevitable; many wives are easily seduced away from their aged husbands by young, virile, and wealthy men. But even if Abe’s fears of being killed were justified, taking all the gifts and money from Mr. Wynn is clearly not only immoral, but also illegal.
Well so much for our addle-pated human sense of morality. As you shall see when you read Genesis 12, it is not the husband who is in trouble, nor his aquiescent wife; it is the wealthy and powerful man who is tricked by their lies and lured by the siren song of the fair wife’s sexuality. If our story of Abe, Sarah, and Mr. Wynn were to get the Biblical treatment, this is how it would end: Mr. Wynn is punished severely. Abe and Sarah, who have become fabulously wealthy through conning Mr. Wynn, are allowed to keep all their gifts, leave Vegas, and live happily ever after.