A man of many friends will come to ruin

.... but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).  The Hebrew seems to be somewhat obscure in the first stanza.  The NIV, for example,  translates it as “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,” while  the NKJV has “A man who has friends must himself be friendly.”  Certainly “unreliable” is not in the Hebrew, but according to many commentators carries the meaning. But taking this as accurate it seems to mean that if we are indiscriminate in our choice of friends, we may not be making true friends. I saw a meme to the effect that someone who had died had 5,000 friends on on facebook, but no one came to his funeral.  The prodigal son, had many “friends” until his money ran out and things got tough, at that point they all deserted him (Luke ).  There is an English maxim that sums this up when it talks about “fair weather friends.”

The meaning of the NKJV seems to be that if you want friends, you need to reach out to people and not expect others to take the initiative to become your friend.  But the Scripture also warns that “the righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray (Proverbs 12:26). Paul puts it this way “do not be deceived, bad companions corrupt good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33).  The word for friend in the second stanza has the sens of being stronger friend than the one in the first. The same word is used when Scripture calls Abraham the “friend of God”  (2 Chronicles 20:7).  A true friend will not be afraid to speak the truth in love when needed. Again Scripture has something to say about this “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Proverbs 27:6).

The saying “Blood is thicker than water”  comes to mind in relation to the second part. It is saying that relatives are more reliable than friends, but this is not always the case, and the proverb itself implies. I know, and you probably do too, families that never speak to each other and carry bitterness in their hearts. But there is a friend that stick closer than a brother. Jonathan and David come to mind, but the maxim fiends its greatest fulfillment in Christ who told His disciples  “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you”  (John 15:15).

Lord Jesus, You are indeed the friend that sticks closer than a brother. You are always there, always ready to listen, comfort and equip. We do need each other Lord, but we need to choose our earthly friends carefully. You did, and even then there was one who betrayed you.  We cannot be all things to all men Lord, You chose twelve, and even then in Your humanity there were three who appeared to be Your favourites. I need to think more about that Lord. But as the ascended Christ I am Your favourite, and so is every one who is reading this blog. I don't know how we can all be Your favourites but well, You are God, and we praise and thank You in Your precious Name Amen