Read Pro. 17:17
I have three sons and it used to irritate me that they could get along with their friends but they fought constantly among themselves. This proverb says that a brother is born for adversity. The word adversity means trouble, rival, tightness. You don't find too many brothers in the Bible getting along. Cain and Abel sure didn't and neither did Jacob and Esau or Joseph and his brothers. There is a lot of competition between brothers, even more than between sisters, although there are always exceptions. God set it up that way so that they would challenge each other to go further and not be satisfied. Usually the first born is the leader/lion where the second born is the follower/golden retriever. These characteristics grate each other but can be a useful combination when they are mature and seasoned. My sons have grown to love each other and love being together. They are all so different: the lion, the golden retriever, and the otter. Needless to say, we have interesting reunions.
Friends on the other hand love at all times. They can look over faults better because they don't live together and don't have to share so much of life together. Jonathan and David were the epitome of friendship. Jonathan gave David his inheritance and laid down his life to make sure David got his destiny. They fought together side-by-side and didn't compete.
Lord, thank you that you call us your friend.
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