Genesis 12:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

However, he did not pursue that path; the fear of punishment calmed his anger, and he sought only to do right by the righteous man. Ultimately, he realized it was unthinkable for one so divinely favored to be merely human: “And now here is your wife; take her and go.” Now that I comprehend she is not your sister but your spouse, take her; I have not violated your marital dignity or taken your wife from you—“Now here is your wife; take her and go.” What mind can fully appreciate this event? What tongue can properly express this miracle? A wife, radiant in beauty, offered to an Egyptian king—a man driven by passion—emerges unscathed, maintaining her purity. Such are the workings of God—they are wondrous and remarkable! When people lose hope in their situations, that is when God manifests His invincible power in all circumstances. Truly, it was strange and remarkable to witness the ‘man of desires’ among wild beasts, suffering no harm, as if he were with sheep, emerging unscathed (Dan. 14:31-42); to observe the three young men walking through the furnace as if in a meadow, untouched by the flames, and exiting unharmed (Dan. 3). In the same manner, this event is awe-inspiring: the wife of the just man faced no dishonor and escaped from the Egyptian king, that unrestrained ruler. All this was accomplished by God, who opens pathways even in the most impenetrable realms and can provide hope amid the most desperate circumstances. “And now behold your wife; take her and go.” In other words, do not think that we have wronged you; although our actions were taken in ignorance, we now recognize your divine protection. The wrath of God that came upon us has shown us how favored you are by the Almighty: “take your wife and go.” In the end, the righteous man became imposing to them, which is why they sought to send him off with all due respect, hoping to appease the Lord through their reverence for him. Do you see, beloved, how valuable patience is? Recall the words spoken by the patriarch as he approached Egypt: “I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance; when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife,’ and they will kill me while letting you live.” Thus, reflecting on these words, consider what has transpired now and marvel at the patience of the righteous man and the power of the merciful God, with what honor He leads the righteous man out of Egypt who entered with such fear and trepidation.

Typically, attractive women who are sought after by kings for marriage do not immediately engage in sexual relations with them. As noted in the book of Esther, the preparation of young women for the king involved a lengthy process of being anointed with oils and scents, lasting several months or even up to a year before they were joined with the king (Esther 2:12). During this period, Pharaoh suffered the afflictions mentioned in Scripture until he, distressed and disheartened, returned the woman to her husband. Conversely, Abimelech was explicitly prohibited from engaging with Sarah in his dream, prompting those who argue that Sarah did not evade dishonor to suggest that perhaps the king had already slept with her prior to dreaming. Yet, even disregarding the preparatory time mentioned earlier, could not God have caused Abimelech to fall into slumber and warned him through a divine vision before any union occurred?

Consider, for example, the occurrence in the Moor of Sitith, for the God of our holy Patriarchs is also our God. There was a young man named Celticius, who kidnapped a widow intending to remain celibate to take her as his wife. However, before they could engage physically, he fell asleep and was so frightened by a vision in his dream that he returned the untouched woman to the diligent bishop of Citifa, who had been searching for her. The individuals I refer to are still alive. The young man was baptized, and through this miracle, he converted to the Lord and rose to the episcopal rank with integrity and honor, while the woman continued in holy widowhood.

It is remarkable that even a man of such barbarity understands the natural law; even among non-speaking creatures, fidelity is often upheld, with some even honoring the sanctity of a singular union. This shows that the law of nature transcends written statutes. It is no surprise that the king of Egypt, who harbored no fear of mortals, trembled before God and sought to atone for an act of adultery with one who was outside his own laws. Upon discovering that Sarah was married, Pharaoh returned her to her husband and provided protection for Abraham, so that none of his subject could violate the husband’s rights or dishonor the wife.

This account serves to inspire a fervor for righteousness, as those who faithfully follow God are never harmed. Therefore, we ought to exalt God above all else; our loyalty to our homeland, affection for our families, or admiration for a spouse should not distract us from adhering to divine guidance. All of these blessings are bestowed by God, who is able to safeguard what He provides. The example of Abraham's faithfulness is truly notable, as he entered Egypt with a beautiful wife. The righteous man was indeed concerned for the sanctity of his marriage, yet his deeper commitment was to perfect obedience, ensuring that he did not prioritize the protection of his marital bond over divine mandates. For God’s sake, he relinquished everything and was rewarded with an abundance by God. Above all, God bestowed upon Abraham the honor that was precious to his wife. In striving to uphold divine commandments, even at the risk of his wife's dignity, God ensured the purity of their union was protected.