Friends--Genesis 2

• "I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up all alone. It's not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people that make you feel all alone.” - Robin Williams.

• "It is better to be alone than in bad company." - George Washington.

Was Eve a "friend" to Adam? 

• Companionship:
  • Genesis 2:18 states, "And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him."¹² This highlights the core purpose of Eve's creation: to provide Adam with companionship.³ This fundamental aspect of their relationship aligns with a key element of friendship.
  • The idea of "help meet" suggests a partnership, a mutual support system, which is also a characteristic of strong friendships.⁴
• Partnership:

• "Then the Lord God said": This emphasizes that the creation of Eve was a deliberate act of divine purpose.
• "It is not good that the man should be alone":
  • This reveals a fundamental aspect of human nature: the need for companionship.
  • It highlights that even in a perfect environment, Adam lacked something essential.
  • This "alone" is not simply physical, but also emotional, and relational.
• "I will make him a helper fit for him":
  • "Helper" (Hebrew: ezer) doesn't imply subservience. Rather, it suggests someone who provides strength, support, and aid. In many cases in the old testament, God is described as an "ezer" or helper.
  • "Fit for him" (Hebrew: kenegdo) indicates a counterpart, someone who complements and corresponds to Adam. It signifies a relationship of equality and mutual respect. It is a concept of someone who is "facing him" or his equal.

• Emotional Aloneness:
  • Adam, in his state before Eve, lacked a being with whom he could share his inner world. He had no one to experience mutual feelings, to offer or receive emotional support, or to share the wonder of creation in a truly reciprocal way.
  • This speaks to the fundamental human need for emotional connection and intimacy.
• Relational Aloneness:
  • While Adam had a relationship with God, he lacked a peer, a counterpart. He couldn't experience the give-and-take of a human relationship, the sense of belonging that comes from shared experience.
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• Implications:
  • This understanding of "aloneness" has profound implications for how we view relationships. It underscores the importance of:
    • Meaningful connection: We are not meant to live in isolation, but to cultivate deep and fulfilling relationships.
    • Mutual support: We need others to walk alongside us, to offer encouragement, and to share our burdens.
    • Community: We thrive in environments where we feel a sense of belonging and connection.

In essence, Genesis 2:18 reveals that human flourishing requires more than just physical presence. It requires emotional and relational connection, a sense of belonging, and the experience of mutual love and support.

A SERMON . PROVERBS 18. 24 . "A MAN THAT HATH FRIENDS MUST SHEW HIMSELF FRIENDLY : AND THERE IS A FRIEND THAT STICKETH CLOSER THAN A BROTHER . " 

Key Aspects of Their Relationship:

• A Covenant of Friendship:
  • Their bond was established quickly and deeply. 1 Samuel 18:1 describes how "the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul."
  • They made a covenant, a formal agreement, demonstrating their commitment to each other. This signifies a profound level of trust and loyalty.
• Loyalty in the Face of Conflict:
  • Jonathan was the son of King Saul, who became increasingly jealous and threatened by David's popularity.
  • Despite this, Jonathan remained loyal to David, even when it put him at odds with his own father. He repeatedly risked his life to protect David.
• Selfless Love and Sacrifice:
  • Jonathan recognized that David was destined to be king, even though he himself was the heir to the throne.
  • He willingly relinquished his claim to the throne, demonstrating a remarkable act of selflessness.

• Proverbs 17:17 in the King James Version (KJV) reads:

  • "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

  • "A friend loveth at all times":
    • This emphasizes the constant and unwavering nature of genuine friendship. True friends don't just appear when things are going well; they remain loyal and supportive through both good times and bad.
  • "and a brother is born for adversity":
    • This part highlights the special role of family, particularly brothers, in times of trouble. It suggests that family ties are meant to provide strength and support during difficult circumstances.
    • It also hints that through hardship, a kind of brotherhood can be formed.

  In essence, Proverbs 17:17 teaches us about:

  • The importance of steadfast loyalty in friendships.
  • The inherent support that family should provide.
  • The value of having people in our lives who will stand by us through thick and thin.

  Expanding on Proverbs 17:17:

  • "Loveth at all times":
    • This isn't just about feeling affection; it's about acting with love. It implies consistent support, even when it's inconvenient.
    • It suggests a love that endures through disagreements, mistakes, and personal flaws.
    • It signifies a love that is not conditional.
  • "A brother is born for adversity":
    • This emphasizes the inherent strength of familial bonds. In ancient Hebrew culture, family ties were paramount.
    • "Born for adversity" implies that a brother's role is not just about shared joy, but about providing a bulwark against life's challenges.
    • This can also be understood metaphorically. True friends can become like family, providing that same level of unwavering support.

  Friendship in the Book of Proverbs:

  Proverbs offers a wealth of wisdom on the subject of friendship, providing both positive and negative examples:

  Choosing Wise Friends:

  • • Proverbs 13:20: "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed."¹ This highlights the importance of surrounding oneself with people who will encourage positive growth.
    • Proverbs warns against associating with those who are prone to anger, gossip, or other negative behaviors.
  • The Value of Counsel:
    • Proverbs 27:9: "Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel." True friends offer honest and helpful advice.
    • Proverbs emphasizes the importance of seeking counsel from trusted friends.
  • The Dangers of Flattery:
    • Proverbs 28:23: "He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue." True friends² will offer honest correction, even if it's difficult.
    • Flattery is shown as a sign of a false friend.
  • Loyalty and Trust:
    • Proverbs 18:24: "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."³ This suggests that friendship requires effort and that some friendships can be even stronger than family ties.
    • Proverbs emphasizes the importance of being trustworthy and reliable.