Abraham is one of the most significant figures in the Bible and is known as the father of the Jewish people. He is also revered by Christians and Muslims as a model of faith. In Isaiah 41:8, God refers to Abraham as “my friend.” This remarkable description provides insight into Abraham’s special relationship with God.
There are several reasons why Abraham was called a friend of God:
1. Abraham’s faith and obedience to God’s call
God called Abraham, then Abram, to leave his homeland and go to the land that God would show him (Genesis 12:1). This was a radical command, but Abraham obeyed in faith. Leaving his family and all that was familiar demonstrated Abraham’s trust in God’s guidance and plan. Abraham continued to follow God’s leading throughout his life, even when God’s promises seemed unlikely. His willingness to follow God’s direction set him apart as a man of remarkable faith.
2. Abraham’s close relationship with God
God often spoke directly to Abraham and made promises to him, such as promising to make his descendants a great nation (Genesis 12:2). Abraham frequently built altars to worship God and prayed to Him. He was honest with God about his thoughts and feelings. Their conversations reveal the depth of friendship between them. Abraham made it a priority to foster his friendship with God.
3. Abraham’s righteousness and obedience
Abraham is held up as an exemplar of righteousness. He obeyed God’s commands and instruction. Genesis 26:5 states that, “Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” His desire was to please God and live according to His ways. Abraham’s obedience demonstrated his commitment to God.
4. Abraham’s role as the father of God’s chosen people
God promised Abraham that He would make a great nation from his offspring. The covenant God made with Abraham was foundational to the development of the Jewish nation. Abraham is the patriarch of Israel. His devotion to God began the lineage that would lead to Jesus Christ’s birth and the fulfillment of God’s ultimate plan of salvation for the world. Therefore, Abraham holds a very significant role in God’s redemptive plan.
5. Abraham’s hospitality and kindness
Abraham generously welcomed strangers and showed compassion to others. For example, when three men appeared near Abraham’s tent, he hastened to prepare a meal for them (Genesis 18). He pleaded with God to spare the righteous in Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:22-33). His treatment of others demonstrated his kind, generous spirit.
6. Abraham interceded in prayer for others
On several occasions, Abraham prayed to God on behalf of others. He prayed earnestly for Abimelech when God curse his household with infertility because he had taken Sarah into his harem (Genesis 20). He also prayed that his son Ishmael would live and be blessed by God (Genesis 17:18). Abraham’s prayer life exhibited his care for others.
7. Abraham trusted God’s provision and deliverance
When God called Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, his promised son, Abraham obeyed trusting that God would somehow provide (Genesis 22). When God rescued Abraham’s nephew Lot from danger, Abraham praised God for his deliverance (Genesis 14:18-20). Even when things seemed impossible, Abraham trusted in God’s faithfulness.
8. Abraham was chosen and called by God
Out of all the people in the world, God sovereignly chose Abraham to initiate His redemptive plan. Abraham did nothing to merit this selection but was simply the beneficiary of God’s gracious choice and calling. This undeserved favor likely contributed to Abraham’s profound gratitude and friendship with God.
In summary, Abraham responded to God’s call in faith, pursued an intimate friendship with God, lived righteously, fulfilled his role in God’s covenant plan, treated others kindly, prayed fervently, trusted God’s provision, and was chosen by God for a special purpose. This exemplary life of devotion and obedience set Abraham apart as a friend of God and the father of faith to many.
Abraham’s friendship with God began with faith but was cultivated through quiet acts of obedience and perseverance. We can follow Abraham’s example and draw close to God by trusting Him in all things, talking openly with Him, walking in His ways, caring for others, interceding in prayer, relying on Him for provision, and living out the purpose He has called us to.
Though imperfect, Abraham sought after God persistently. This earned him the remarkable distinction of being called God’s friend. As James 2:23 states, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called a friend of God.” We too can nurture a close bond with God when we live and trust in Him as Abraham did.
Key Bible Verses about Abraham’s Friendship with God
Here are some key Bible verses that provide insight into Abraham’s special relationship with God:
- Isaiah 41:8 – “But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend.”
- James 2:23 – “And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness’—and he was called a friend of God.”
- 2 Chronicles 20:7 – “Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?”
- Genesis 12:1-3 – “Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
- Genesis 15:5-6 – “And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.”
- Genesis 18:17 – “The Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?”
- Genesis 22:15-18 – “And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”
These verses highlight key aspects of Abraham’s faith, righteousness, obedience, intimacy with God, and importance in God’s covenant plan. Together, they provide a picture of how Abraham walked with God in a manner that merited the designation of being God’s friend.
Lessons Christians Can Learn from Abraham’s Friendship with God
As the father of faith, Abraham’s life provides many valuable lessons for Christians today on what it means to walk with God. Here are some key lessons to take away:
- Obey God even when His commands don’t make sense. Trust that He sees the big picture.
- Don’t compromise in your obedience to God. Keep following Him wholeheartedly.
- Nurture your friendship with God through prayer, worship, studying Scripture, and listening to His voice.
- Act justly and live righteously as an outworking of your faith.
- Step out in faith to fulfill God’s calling on your life.
- Trust God to be faithful to His promises, even when circumstances seem impossible.
- Treat others, even strangers, with kindness and generosity.
- Pray for others and intercede on their behalf.
- Depend on God’s faithful provision and deliverance in all things.
Abraham was far from perfect, yet provides an outstanding example of what friendship with God looks like. As we seek to become friends of God as Abraham was, we can follow his model of faith, obedience, righteousness, closeness with God, kindness, prayer, and trust in God’s steadfast love and promises.
How Christians Can Become Friends of God
While Abraham’s experience was unique, Christians today can also pursue close friendship with God. Here are some ways believers can become friends of God:
- Trust in Christ – Having faith in Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross makes a friendship with God possible (John 15:15).
- Obey God’s commands – Doing what God says demonstrates our love for Him (John 15:14).
- Spend time with God – Through prayer, Bible reading, fasting, etc., we nurture our relationship with God.
- Repent of sin – Avoiding sin and repenting when we fail keeps our fellowship with God close.
- Pursue holiness – As we grow in godly character, we draw nearer to God and become more like Christ.
- Serve others – Loving and serving others shows we are friends of God (James 2:23).
- Share the Gospel – Leading others to faith pleases God and aligns us with His priorities.
- Develop intimacy with God – Through worship, prayer, and studying Scripture, we build an intimate bond with God.
- Rely on the Spirit – The Holy Spirit cultivates godly virtues in us to help us follow Jesus faithfully.
While we cannot earn our way into God’s favor, nurturing an intimate friendship with God is possible through faith and diligently pursuing Him.
Attributes of Being a Friend of God
What does it look like in practical terms to be a friend of God today? Some key attributes include:
- Obedience to God’s Word and will
- Trust in God’s goodness and faithfulness
- Enjoys spending time with God in prayer, worship, etc.
- Desires to please and honor God with life
- Repents from sin and pursues holiness
- Demonstrates the fruits of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, etc.
- Loves others through kindness, compassion, forgiveness
- Has intimacy with God and knows His heart
- Seeks to make disciples and expand God’s kingdom
- Walks in step with the Holy Spirit’s leading and empowerment
While we will never relate to God with the same level of closeness that Abraham did, God’s desire is for all believers to pursue this type of vibrant, intimate friendship with Him.
The Benefits of Being a Friend of God
Pursuing intimate friendship with God brings many blessings and benefits, including:
- Experiencing God’s presence, love, comfort, and guidance
- Growing in Christlike maturity and bearing the fruits of the Spirit
- Confidence in God’s help and deliverance through trials
- Freedom from sin and shame
- Hope in God’s precious promises for the future
- The privilege of making disciples and expanding God’s kingdom
- Fulfillment in becoming the person God designed us to be
- Strength to faithfully follow Jesus all our days
Abraham experienced incredible blessings in his walk with God, and these continued on to his descendants. The invitation is open for believers today to embrace all the benefits of being called a friend of God.
Conclusion
Abraham’s deep faith, obedience, and trust in God provide a model for believers aspiring to become friends of God. While Abraham’s level of intimacy with God was unique, Christians can also nurture a close bond through faith in Christ, following God’s Word, pursing holiness, developing spiritual disciplines, repenting of sin, serving others, making disciples, and relying on the Holy Spirit. As we seek God wholeheartedly, we can experience the blessings of being called His friends and fulfilling our divinely appointed purpose in His kingdom.
