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(with James 2:23): — Abraham was called the friend of God because he was so. The name does not occur in his life as given in the Book of Genesis, and it has been questioned whether it occurs anywhere else in Holy Scripture; for many have preferred to translate the word in Isaiah, and in 2 Chronicles 20:7, as "lover," or "beloved," rather than "friend." However this may be, it is quite certain that among the Jewish people Abraham was frequently spoken of as "the friend of God." At this present moment, among the Arabs and other Mohammedans, the name of Abraham is not often mentioned, but they speak of him as Khalil Allah, or the "friend of God," or more briefly as of Khalil, "the friend." Those tribes which boast of their descent from him through Ishmael, or through the sons of Keturah, greatly reverence the patriarch, and are wont to speak of him under the name which the Holy Spirit here ascribes to him. It is a noble title, not to be equalled by all the names of greatness which have been bestowed by princes, even if they should all meet in one. Patents of nobility are mere vanity when laid side by side with this transcendent honour. I think I hear you say, "Yes, it was indeed a high degree to which Abraham reached: so high that we cannot attain unto it." Think not so. We also may be called friends of God (John 15:14).

I. A TITLE TO BE WONDERED AT.

1. Admire and adore the condescending God, who thus makes of a man, like ourselves, His friend. In this case the august Friend displays His pure love, since He has nothing to gain. Surely God does not need friends. How sweet it is to mingle the current of our life with that of some choice bosom friend! Can God have a friend? Friend. ship cannot all be on one side. In this particular instance it is intended that we should know that while God was Abraham's Friend, this was not all; but Abraham was God's friend. He received and returned the friendship of God. Friendship creates a measure of equality between the persons concerned. I say not that absolute equality is at all necessary to friendship, for a great king may have a firm friend in one of the least of his subjects; but the tendency is towards an equalising of the two friends: the one comes down gladly, and the other rises up in sympathy. Friendship begets fellowship, and this bridges over the dividing gulf. We must keep our place, or we shall not be friends.

2. Note the singular excellence of Abraham. How could he have been God's friend had not grace wrought wonderfully in him? Although a plain man, dwelling in tents, the father of the faithful is always a right royal personage. A calm dignity surrounds him, and the sons of Heth and the kings of Egypt feel its power. His character is well balanced.

3. Note some of the points in which this Divine friendship showed itself.

(1) The Lord often visited Abraham.

(2) Secrets were disclosed.

(3) Compacts were entered into. On certain grand occasions we read: "The Lord made a covenant with Abram."(4) This friendship resulted in the bestowal of innumerable benefits. The life of Abraham was rich with mercies.

(5) Since Abraham was God's friend, God accepted his pleadings, and was moved by his influence.

(6) There was also between these friends a mutual love and delight. Abraham rejoiced in Jehovah! He was his shield, and his exceeding great reward, and the Lord Himself delighted to commune with Abraham. The serenity of the patriarch's life was caused by his constant joy in God.

(7) This friendship was maintained with great constancy. The Lord never forsook Abraham: even when the patriarch erred, the Lord remembered and rescued him. He did not cast him off in old age. Constancy is also seen on the human side of this renowned friendship. Abraham did not turn aside to worship any false god.

(8) The Lord kept His friendship to Abraham by favouring his posterity. That is what our text,, tells us. The Lord styled rebellious" Israel, "the seed of Abraham, My friend.

II. THE TITLE VINDICATED. Abraham was the friend of God in a truthful sense. There was great propriety and fulness of meaning in the name as applied to him.

1. Abraham's trust in God was implicit. He "staggered not at the promise through unbelief," for he knew that what the Lord had promised He was able also to perform.

2. There was joined to this implicit trust a practical confidence as to the accomplishment of everything that God had promised.

3. Abraham's obedience to God was unquestioning.

4. Abraham's desire for God's glory was uppermost at all times.

5. Abraham's communion with God was constant.

III. Regard this name as THE TITLE TO BE SOUGHT AFTER. Oh, that we may get to ourselves this good degree, this diploma, "friend of God"!

1. You must be fully reconciled to Him.

2. We must exercise a mutual choice. The God who has chosen you must be chosen by you.

3. There must be a conformity of heart, and will, and design, and character to God.

4. There must be a continual intercourse. The friend of God must not spend a day without God, and he must undertake no work apart from his God.

5. If we are to be friends of God, we must be co. partners with Him.

6. Friendship, if it exists, will breed mutual delight.

IV. THE TITLE TO BE UTILISED for practical purposes.

1. Here is a great encouragement to the people of God. See what possibilities lie before you!

2. Here is a solemn thought for those who would be friends of God. A man's friend must show himself friendly, and behave with tender care for his friend.

( C. H. Spurgeon.)

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KJV: But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.

WEB: "But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend,