03/22/2017 FRIEND
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 that seemed to have a special relationship with GOD. One of those people was 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:
O our GOD, didn’t you drive out the heathen who lived in this land when your people arrived? And didn’t you give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? [Living Bible translation]
The King James version of this verse not only refers to Abraham as being GOD’s friend, but mentions that Abraham was GOD’s friend “forever,” suggesting that they were not only “friends” but “best friends.” Just image being that close to GOD!
Isaiah 41:8, is a 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 the above passage from the book of James, believed to have been written by the brother of JESUS, James also refers to Abraham as GOD’s friend. James’s letter provides some evidence as to why Abraham and GOD were in fact friends. James states that Abraham believed GOD.
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 fit 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 sometimes seemed to be blind allegiance and strong faith their child had in a best friend.
Abraham had an even greater blind allegiance and faith in his friend, GOD.