Jubilees, considered deuterocanonical (meaning it's included in some versions of the Bible but not others), gives us some incredible detail about Abraham's life, filling in gaps and offering a unique perspective.
Specifically, let's look at Jubilees 14. Abraham has just won a major victory, rescuing his nephew Lot and a whole host of others from a coalition of kings. He's basically a war hero at this point!
And then the king of Sodom shows up. Think about Sodom for a second. Not exactly known for its ethical behavior. This king bows before Abraham and says, "Our Lord Abram, give unto us the souls which thou hast rescued, but let the booty be thine."
In other words, "Keep all the stuff, just give us our people back." A pretty tempting offer, wouldn't you say? Imagine all the riches Abraham could have claimed after such a victory. It would have been easy to justify taking at least some of it.
But what does Abraham do?
He replies with an oath: "I lift up my hands to the Most High God, that from a thread to a shoe-latchet I shall not take aught that is thine, lest thou shouldst say I have made Abram rich."
Wow. Talk about integrity! He refuses to profit from this victory, even in the smallest way. He doesn't want anyone to be able to say that he became wealthy because of the king of Sodom. He credits his success to God alone.
There's just one exception. "Save only what the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me--Aner, Eschol, and Mamre. These will take their portion." He makes sure his allies, those who fought alongside him, are taken care of. He’s not only pious, but also loyal and just.
It's a powerful moment, isn't it? It shows us Abraham's unwavering commitment to ethical behavior, even when faced with immense temptation. He understands that true wealth isn't about material possessions, but about his relationship with God.
The story doesn’t end there. Jubilees 14 continues: "After these things, in the fourth year of this week, on the new moon of the third month, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a dream, saying..." This sets the stage for even more divine revelations and tests for Abraham.
This small passage gives us a peek into the heart of Abraham. It's a reminder that even in moments of triumph, we should strive to act with integrity and gratitude. It's a lesson that resonates just as powerfully today as it did thousands of years ago. What does this story teach us about how we should act in our own lives? How can we strive to embody Abraham's ethical example?