But the Lord afflicted Pharaoh 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? 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 go.” And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him, and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had. – Genesis 12:17-20
This passage is an incredible glimpse into the future of Israel. This is how the Exodus of Israel should have occurred except then the Lord chose to reveal Himself through the rejection of revelation on the part of Pharaoh (Exo 4:21; 7:3; 14:4). A similar encounter between God and a king will occur in the special revelation of a dream (Gen 20) but Pharaoh here only receives plagues. That God gave both plagues and special revelation to Pharaoh to redeem His people only further condemns Egypt.
The example and illustration of Pharaoh letting go the bride of Abraham is representative of the church. Though Israel’s exodus works as another albeit negative example, this example shows the beauty and value of the bride in the eyes of the Gentile world.