Genesis 14-15
Abram makes a moral decision after rescuing Lot amidst a war of kings. This passage is our first introduction of war in ancient times. Rather than profiting, we see Abram choose honor in an unethical world. This verse should be read with Job 3-4.
Summary
A war breaks out between two sets of kings. King Group 4 includes Amraphel (king of Shinar), Arioch (king of Ellasar), Ched-or-laomer (king of Elam), and Tidal (king of Goiim). King Group 5 includes Bera (king of Sodom), Birsha (king of Gomorrah), Shinab (king of Admah), Shemeber (king of Zeboiim), and Zoar (the king of Bela).
The king group of four went out to conquer the lands. They defeated the Rephaites, Zuzites, Emites, Horites, Amalekites, and Amorites. King Group 5 confronted King Group 4 in the Valley of Siddim. King Group 4 won the battle, and during that battle, Bera and Birsha ran away. The rest fled to the mountains. King Group 4 took everything Bera and Birsha owned, including Lot and his men and all that they owned (Remember that Lot settled in Sodom, where Bera was king).
One of the men told Abram, and Abram formed a small army. He led his men to where Lot was captured, and surprise attacked the enemy. Abram rescued Lot and gave him back everything that was taken from him. Bera and Melchizedek (king of Salem) met with Abram when he returned from battle. Melchizedek, who was also a priest for God Most High, simply came to praise Abram and offer bread and wine. Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of the things he brough back from battle.
Contrarily, Bera, king of Sodom and one of the kings that fled during the war, asked Abram for his men back. Bera told Abram he could keep the goods, but he just wanted his men back. Abram told him he wouldn’t keep his goods, because he didn’t want to be accused of becoming rich by taking Bera’s share.
Later, God appeared to Abram and promised him that he will protect him and give him a great reward. Abram was concerned that he wouldn’t have an heir to inherit his legacy. God reassured Abram that he would have plenty of descendants. Some of his descendants will come from a nation where they will be slaves for 400 years. It may not be in his lifetime, but they will ultimately settle in Abram’s land.
Sidebar
Abram says to the king of Sodom, “…I would not take a thread or a sandal-thong or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’” (Genesis 14:23). Abram’s tone in this reading is contemptous and annoyed. He doesn’t respect Bera, and why should he? Bera ran away from battle and allowed his men to be taken by the enemy only to demand them back. Not to mention, Sodom was known to be a morally depraved city and Bera was its inadequate leader. Abram did not want to be associated with profiting from Sodom’s corruption.
Abram’s position was a righteous one. Today, there are unfortunate examples of situations where someone gains financial benefit from an action that they are aware is unethical or morally questionable, essentially putting personal profit ahead of their ethics.
Bernie Madoff of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC admitted to stealing billions of dollars from his clients to benefit himself and his family in March of 2009.
In January 2022, the founder of Theranos, Elizabeth Holmes, was found guilty of fraudulently marketing blood testing technology that didn’t work, raising millions of dollars from investors. Holmes was considered the youngest self-made billionaire in the U.S. in 2015 according to Times magazine.
Jen Shah of the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City was found guilty in January 2023 of defrauding thousands of people, mostly elderly, in a telemarketing scam. Shah, along with other housewives on the show, flaunted her wealth and status on national television.
Intention
Try to always lead by example. Prioritize principles like honesty, transparency, fairness, respect, accountability, and integrity in the workplace. If you are starting a business, create a culture where ethical behavior is encouraged and make decisions that consider the impact on all employees and clients.
