Two of the ancients who are spoken about in the Hebrew Scriptures as being friends of God are Abraham and David.

Abram (usually known by his later name, Abraham) was the first patriarch. He is described as a friend of God in Isaiah 41:8. Since friendship is usually a term used to describe a high level of trust and intimacy; it is surprising to think that Abraham's relationship with God would be termed in this manner.

Abraham may have been a great leader, however, he was a liar and a deceiver. When he traveled to Egypt, he lied to the Pharoah about his relationship with his wife telling him that she was his sister. This deception was so deep rooted in the family tree that his son used the same ruse many years later when he entered Philistia many years later to escape a famine in his country. Yet, Abraham was considered a 'friend of God.'

And then there is that King David! An adulterer who committed murder to cover his adultery! There it is - he was called 'a man after God's own heart'. While the word, 'friend' is never used to describe David's relationship with God, David is looked upon as an example of a man who had an intimate relationship with the Divine.

So there is hope for us - weak, sinful, fallen, broken people. There is a possibility of imperfect people having an intimate relationship with Divine Perfection.