"During his stay in Egypt, Abraham gave evidence that he was not free from human
weakness and imperfection. In concealing the fact that Sarah was his wife, he
betrayed a distrust of the divine care, a lack of that lofty faith and courage
so often and nobly exemplified in his life. Sarah was fair to look upon, and he
doubted not that the dusky Egyptians would covet the beautiful stranger, and
that in order to secure her, they would not scruple to slay her husband. He
reasoned that he was not guilty of falsehood in representing Sarah as his
sister, for she was the daughter of his father, though not of his mother. But
this concealment of the real relation between them was deception. No deviation
from strict integrity can meet God's approval. Through Abraham's lack of faith,
Sarah was placed in great peril. The king of Egypt, being informed of her
beauty, caused her to be taken to his palace, intending to make her his wife.
But the Lord, in His great mercy, protected Sarah by sending judgments upon the
royal household. By this means the monarch learned the truth in the matter, and,
indignant at the deception practiced upon him, he reproved Abraham and restored
to him his wife, saying, What is this that thou hast done unto me? . . . 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." Genesis 12:19
Patriarchs & Prophets p.130 E.G.W.