By: Obed Pineda
Exalted father. Father of a multitude. Father of faith. Friend of God. There is no question that when any of these references are used by a preacher in a sermon, the diligent Bible student instantly identifies the person upon whom these honorable epithets were bestowed. In fact, chances are that even a person who is not well versed in Scripture has at some time heard Abraham referred to as the father of faith. The legacy left behind by father Abraham elevates itself above all others as the Holy Spirit declares that “‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called the friend of God” (James 2:23, emphasis added). It must be noted that this truth was uttered by God to comfort and strengthen Israel during turbulent times, reassuring them “you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend” (Isaiah 41:8, emphasis added). The powerful bond shared between Jehovah God and Abraham is revealed by the inspired quill of King Solomon as he penned, “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24, emphasis added). It must be understood that the reality that God refers to Abraham, in several passages of Holy Writ, as His friend proves that Abraham, too, was friendly to God. In other words, their relationship was reciprocal between one another. Like the proverb declares, Abraham proved himself a friend to Jehovah God. It is well known that a friend is proven when his trust is manifested. One who does not trust a man, does not embrace him in friendship. It may be that this may be a consequence sprouted from an unfortunate decision made by that person, who was not a friend to begin with. Remember, the proverb unveils a true friend as one who receives and gives trust equally. It is this righteous action that forges the bonds of trust between two beings. Thus to learn that God trusted Abraham as a friend, lauds the magnificent truth that Abraham trusted God in an equal manner. Hence the Master’s declaration, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14, emphasis added). With these sacred words, the Lord challenges His followers to trust Him. It is an invitation similar to the one made by His Father to Abraham. Holy Writ promulgates, “now the Lord had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1, emphasis added). The Lord Jesus, too, invites “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:37-38, emphasis added). Observe the parallel invitations made from heaven. Father and Son both make an invitation to man. This is significant because a friend is not one who obligates his friend to do something against his will. Our God extends His hand in friendship, welcoming anyone who willingly wants to join Him. He respects the free will man, thus not imposing His will upon anyone. If Jehovah would have forced Abraham to do His will, then Abraham would have been His conquered subject rather than His willing servant. Thus, Jesus emulates His Father in extending His hand in friendship to His disciples, allowing us to chose freely. Secondly, both Father and Son ask to be trusted by man. The Hebrew amanuensis enlightens this fact as he instructs that “by faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8, emphasis added). Let us not forget that trust is indispensable to a friendship; it must be given and taken. In Genesis 12:1, we read of Jehovah God giving His trust to Abraham by choosing Him to receive the promises. It is often ignored that Abraham was not the only son of Terah nor was he the sole inhabitant of the land. For this reason, it is undeniable that the Lord trusted Abraham first by selecting him from amongst his peers and brethren. Thus, when Scripture heralds that Abraham “believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness” it validates that he took God’s word and trusted Him (Genesis 15:6, emphasis added). It is fascinating when the Holy Spirit further details that “Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran” (Genesis 12:4, emphasis added). Abraham’s profound conviction in the promises made to him by the Lord are emphasized within this pericope of Scripture. His trust that He who made the promise is faithful became contagious to Lot, for he was indeed free to remain in the land that he already knew with his family. Yet, Scripture teaches that “Lot went with him” manifesting that it was by choice and not subjugation. Lot’s voluntary choice to follow his uncle, even though he could not provide a location of where they were headed, demonstrates just how rooted Abram’s trust was in His friend. It is remarkable to observe that Abraham’s conviction convinced Lot to follow him even though they were no clear answers. However, this indelible act of faith radiates even more when the Spirit of God unveils Abraham’s age. Seventy-five! Abraham was seventy-five years old when he was called by God and asked to start all over. We can all agree that the longer we reside in a city, the more challenging it becomes to leave it behind. Thus, when one must move, it becomes a difficult experience, depending on the length of time invested in that place. However, for Abraham it was not simply leaving the place he knew for so long; it was leaving behind his father’s inheritance. Scripture explains “so the days of Terah were two hundred and five years, and Terah died in Haran” (Genesis 11:32, emphasis added). When Abram chose to follow the Lord, he also chose to leave behind his father. Like the Master’s calling, Abraham loved God more than his father Terah because he chose to trust God more than Terah. Thus, this wise and holy decision was pivotal in placing Abraham on the Lord’s anvil, ready to be forged into the father of faith by His friend’s hammer. To be continued…