He Breathes After You (2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23; John 15:14-15)

FRIEND

2 Chronicles 20:7 refers  to , "... the seed of Abraham, Thy friend forever.", and again,

Isaiah 41:8 says, "But thou, Israel, (art) My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham, My friend..." 

The concept of friendship has an endearing quality that conjures up an array of usually very positive; pleasant and fun-filled memories, but there are deeper associations with the word, especially when it relates to being a "friend" of God.

These scripture references are quoted in James 2:23, where it says, "...Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God."

The first thing to note, is that scripture identifies what is required to be considered "the friend of God", which is believing God [i.e., recognizing His faithfulness as our Father, to do exactly what He told us, which grants us authority (righteousness), and produces faithfulness in us as we behave like Him]. (see "Our Loving Father", and "What You Believe and What You Do about it")

There are, however, a group of words in the scriptures, which portray an interesting word picture of the meaning of being a "friend"- especially of God.

LOVE

The specific word used in these two OT passages is  most commonly translated "love", and can range in meaning from something intimately desired to a very general affection or desire for things. [eg., "I love peanut butter" ; "I love cars" ; "I love movies" ; etc..].

What is very interesting, is that when the LXX translates these two passages, it uses two different words to convey separate, though related meanings.

In Isaiah 41:8, Abraham is a "friend", that is loved (agapao) of God, meaning that he is "precious" to the Father.

In 2 Chronicles 20:7, Abraham is the friend that is loved (philos) of God, meaning that he gives the Father "pleasure".

[ see "You Are Precious To God" for a word study on the different meanings of the words for "love" ]

The original meaning, of this very common Hebrew word, is "to breathe after" anything, hence to long after or desire. [The meaning is partially derived from the "breathy" effect produced when this word is pronounced in the Hebrew.]

Just as Abraham, we too are "the friends" of God, because we do what He says ( John 15:14-15), and we believe that He is who He says He is. We too are both "precious" to our Father; and we give Him "pleasure", because we believe Him. 

What is even more intimately conveyed, is that our Father "breathes after" us with longing and desire, for the intimate fellowship of those that "give him pleasure", and are "precious" to Him.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours.