One of the threads of Truth that runs through Torah portions #vayera and #chayeisarah concerns the limits of the power of righteous people to change the world.

Abraham was God's friend, but he couldn't save Sodom. Lot was a righteous man, but he lost his family in trying to save that wicked city.

In order to preserve and cement God's promise, Abraham had to be willing to give it all up. In the end, he had to be content with the sun setting on his and Sarah's time in the world and its rising on Isaac's and Rebekah's.

The greatest men and women of God were also the humblest. They did what they could and they moved on, trusting in YHWH to complete the work he started.