Genesis 12:10-13:1

     Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt¹ to reside there as an alien², for the famine was severe in the land. When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, "I know well that you are a woman beautiful in appearance; and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'This is his wife'; then they will kill me, but they will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared on your account³." When Abram entered Egypt the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful⁴. When the officials of Pharaoh saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house⁵. And for her sake he dealt well with Abram; and he had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male and female slaves, female donkeys, and camels.
     But the LORD afflicted Pharaoh⁶ and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife. So Pharaoh called Abram, and said, "What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?⁷ Why did you say, 'She is my sister,' so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife, take her, and be gone." And Pharaoh gave his men orders concerning him; and they set him on the way, with his wife and all that he had. So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb⁸ .

^[1] He leaves the land of promise with no rebuke from God. Or do the events that follow show that he made an error?
^[2] Emphasizes his vulnerable state.
^[3] Fails to trust God to fulfill his promise and care for him.
^[4] And at over 65 years old!
^[5] Does this imply fornication?
^[6] God speaks clearly, but Pharaoh bears the punishment rather than Abram. Then again, Abram did get kicked out of Egypt. So while God doesn't lay a hand on Abram directly, Abram still feels his displeasure through Pharaoh.
^[7] Pharaoh apparently was able to interpret God's actions quite accurately.
^[8] Abram responds by going back to where he should be.


Take-home:  Whether or not Abram is considered "at fault" for this incident (my study Bible is much easier on him than I am, emphasizing his vulnerable state), it is clear that God is going to lengths to take care of Abram, regardless of what situation he gets into.  God will keep his promise.