The Integrity Trap

But Abram said to the king of Sodom,

"I have raised my hand in an oath 

to Yahweh,

God Most High,

Creator of heaven and earth,

that I will not take a thread

or a sandal strap

or anything

that belongs to you,

so you can never say,

"I made Abram rich."

Genesis 14: 22 - 23

It seemed a gesture of good will.  After a battle, a retreat, and the loss of all possessions and people, Sodom was rescued by the servants of Abram.  "Give me the people," the king requested, but the spoils he offered to Abram.  

It seems more than fair.  It seems even gracious to my inexperienced modern ears, like a grateful expression of thanks for the gift of Abram's help.  

Maybe Bera had no right to make any demands at all.  Maybe he should have expected no more than to become the subjects of Abram, as one who has been conquered in battle.  

Abram certainly seemed to hear no gratitude in the offer.  Instead, he perceived it for the trap it probably was.  What was Bera really giving up in the deal?  His city had been under subjection for twelve years anyway.  A newcomer, an outsider, with a relatively small army, has startlingly emerged in victory.  

With Bera's "gift" he becomes stronger, well-known, a force to be considered; and he owes it all to Sodom. 

 It was a gift not worth the cost.    

Abram turned down the gift, the pressure, the slithering tentacles of control.

The original honest politician.

Too bad we can't find a few more today.