The sins of Judah were numerous. Even a casual glance at the books of the Prophets reveals that truth clearly. But there is a curious, and perhaps overlooked point mentioned in Lamentations 1:2, “…All her friends have dealt treacherously with her; they have become her enemies.” The list of Judah’s sins included friendship with nations like Egypt and Assyria (Jer. 2:18). When trouble came, God’s people would run to their pagan friends for aid. Only to learn that Egypt and Assyria were no friends at all. They failed Israel, corrupted Israel, betrayed Israel, and ultimately would help Israel along the road to their own destruction.
Judah’s terrible choice of friendship cautions us in our own. Unlike them, we should avoid friends…
- Who pull us away from God. Remember Deuteronomy 13:6-8. If your brother, child, spouse, or closest friend entices you saying “let us go and serve other gods…. You shall not consent to him or listen to him.”
- Who influence us to behave unrighteously. Solomon said, “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray” (Pro. 12:26). Remember, “Evil company corrupts good habits” (1 Cor. 15:33).
- Who are unreliable. Job learned this lesson on the most difficult day of his life. He said, “To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend…” but “My brothers have dealt deceitfully like a brook…” (Job 6:14-17).
- Who are untrustworthy. David wrote, “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me” (Ps. 41:9).
- Who forsake you. Remember 2 Timothy 4:10? “For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world.”
Friendship is a great blessing – there is great value to be found in close friendships, especially the “friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Pro. 18:24). But they can also be harmful if chosen poorly. Look for friends like Johnathan (1 Sam. 18:1-3), not Egypt and Assyria.