03/04/2020 FRIEND OF GOD
James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed GOD, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called GOD’s friend.
[New International translation]
BIBLICAL COMMENTS
There are a few people in the Bible who seem to have a special relationship with GOD. One of these people is Abraham. Abraham was called “GOD’s friend.” The fact that Abraham was GOD’s friend seems to have been “common knowledge” in the Bible.
In 2 Chronicles 20:7, King Jehoshaphat, one of the kings of Judah, the Southern part of the divided kingdom, states during one of his prayers:
Art not thou our GOD, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend forever? [King James translation]
In other words, Abraham was not only GOD’s friend but was GOD’s friend “forever,” suggesting that they were not just friendly but “best friends.” Just imagine being that close to GOD!
Isaiah 41:8, is another clear acknowledge by GOD, that Abraham was indeed “HIS friend.” In Isaiah, GOD speaking to HIS people states:
But, as for you, O Israel, you are mine, my chosen ones, for you are Abraham’s family, and he was MY friend. [Living Bible translation]
This suggests that the benefits of GOD’s friendship can reverberate from generation to generation. In other words, a best friend knows and cares about their best friend’s family too.
In the above scripture from James 2:23, believed to have been written by the brother of JESUS, also refers to Abraham as GOD’s friend. James’s letter provides additional evidence as to why Abraham and GOD were such good friends. James states that Abraham believed GOD. Isn’t that one of the characteristics of good friends? They believe in you?
Think about the people you call best friends in your childhood. When anything really exciting happened at school, wasn’t it your best friend you wanted to tell and get their reaction. When you wanted an opinion “that really mattered”---how you looked, whether a certain outfit fits you, what junior high school you might attend, what activities you were signing up for at school, wasn’t it your best friend you wanted to consult and compare notes. You believed your friend. You trusted them.
Many a frustrated parent has said: “If they told you to jump off a cliff, would you jump off too?!!?” over what seemed to be blind allegiance and willingness to follow in the footsteps of a best friend!
Abraham had an even greater blind allegiance and a stronger faith in his friend, GOD.