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Response
In Isaiah 41:8, God speaks to Israel, referring to them as the “descendants of Abraham my friend.” Abraham’s friendship with God is also acknowledged by King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:7 and by the apostle James in James 2:23. Therefore, Abraham was honored by being recognized as a “friend of God.”
In a literal sense, Isaiah 41:8 could be interpreted as “Abraham, who loved Me.” Abraham demonstrated his love for God through his faith coupled with obedience (Genesis 12:1,4;15:6). He was more than just an acquaintance of God or a mere companion; he was a friend of God.
Friendship entails a mutual relationship between two individuals who share a bond of affection. Friends are characterized by:
– knowing and understanding each other
– liking each other
– having common interests
– desiring to spend time together
– supporting and safeguarding each other
Friendship is enduring. The Scriptures affirm that “a friend loves at all times” «A friend loveth at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. », (Proverbs 17:17), even during challenging times.
Abraham’s friendship with God was founded on God’s eternal covenant with Abraham and Abraham’s faith in embracing it:
“I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:2-3;cf: Genesis 15:1-21).
As the physical descendants of Abraham, the people of Israel were guaranteedGod’s continued protection. After reminding Israel that their ancestor Abraham was His friend, God said,
“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
All who rage against you
will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
will be as nothing and perish” (Isaiah 41:10-11).
As the spiritual descendants of Abraham «Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. », (Galatians 3:7), believers in Jesus Christ can also be assured of God’s presence and protection. We are also God’s friends through the One who loved us and died for us «Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. », (John 15:13). As friends of God, we know Him and are known by Him. We trust Him. We share His interests. We want to spend time with Him in Bible reading and prayer. When God asks us to do or not do something, we try our best to please Him.
The beautiful thing is that those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior are already more than friends of God. They are adopted into the family of God and are children of God: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:3-5;ESV).
That is how special.We belong to God. We are members of His family, and we are secure in our position. He will never reject or forsake us. Jesus is the “friend who sticks closer than a brother” «A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: And there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.», (Proverbs 18:24). Beyond being servants or friends, we are part of God’s family and will dwell with Him in His home for eternity «In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. », (John 14:2).
