I notice in Genesis 23 that Abraham refers to himself as a stranger and sojourner among the people of Canaan. To the Canaanites, Abraham is as wealthy and mighty as a prince. From Abraham's perspective, he has kept himself set apart and separate from the people around him. Throughout the Bible is this same refrain. The people of God may be in the midst of other people, but they are to keep themselves separate as strangers in a strange land.