FRIENDS OR ACQUAINTANCES? – by Raphael ben Levi
“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Prov. 18:24)
Some years ago my wife invited an old school friend over for coffee who happened to be on holiday in our area. It had been 40 years, yet when they met it was as though they had never been apart! How precious to have someone like this in your life, a true friend that time cannot separate. It reminded me of a story attributed to Rabbi Hayyim (Halberstam) of Zans, Poland (1793–1876).
Once there were two friends whose souls were entwined with a deep bond of brotherly affection. Even though they lived far apart, their love never waned. In those days, one of them was falsely accused of a crime, convicted and sentenced to death. The king issued a proclamation that everyone in the land must attend this criminal’s execution.
When his friend came to the execution, he recognised him and immediately cried out in anguish, “Leave that man alone! I was the person who committed the crime.” The result was mayhem. The execution was stopped and the matter was brought before the king who summoned both men and asked them the truth of the matter. Only one of them could have committed the crime, so why was the other one willing to die in vain? The friend of the condemned man answered the king, “I know that my friend did not commit any crime. I know his character. He could not possibly have done it. Thus, I must conclude that this is nothing but a miscarriage of justice. My life depends on my friend’s life. It is better that I die and not see his death. In fact, if I have received such punishment as having to see my friend’s death, I must myself be deserving of death.” The other man replied in a similar fashion.
When the king saw the great love between these two men, he immediately released them with a request: “You are such great friends I would like you to take me into your circle of friendship with that amount of love. I also wish to become that kind of friend to you.”
Only one person in the Tanakh is referred to as a ‘friend of God’ – the patriarch Abraham (2 Chron.20:7; Isa.41:8; James.2:23). God Himself made the following statement, “But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend…” (Isa. 41:8)
Friendship with God is available to the whosoever through Yeshua by personal invitation. Unlike acquaintanceship it bears a rich and eternal reward, but it comes at a price which only a small remnant are willing to pay. May God grant us the grace to be among the few.
Raphael ben Levi
www.mekudeshet.co.za
