And the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing"?  For I have known him... (Gen 18,17.19)

Just what must have happened to Abraham that God Himself speaks of "knowing" him, which means a deep intimacy with a person? Such relationship does not come about randomly and easily; it requires mutual commitment, depth. Indeed, God spoke of few people in this way throughout the Bible, and mostly in the sense that He seeks this intimacy with a man but does not find it. Mostly, it is viewed from the opposite side, from man's side to God. But Abraham is explicitly declared by God Himself to be a friend (and God had it written down for us to notice well, even after nearly 4000 years!).

How did this happen? Was it because Abraham got to know something about God that God valued? Modern man has learned that the way of progress means new knowledge and technological development. So one might think that the key to God can be found by knowing more about Him. That in itself is certainly not to be dismissed, but it is also good to be aware that compared to students in today's theological faculties, Abraham did not know about God a whit. Or was his intimacy the result of having done something significant for God? After all, we value people who can do many things (especially what we cannot do ourselves). Therefore, some seek to find their way to God through service. But was that the reason for God's intimate friendship with Abraham?

We may respect those who know much or accomplish much, but when we seek friends, we don't decide by that; it is not the most important thing for an intimate relationship. We choose far more on the basis of whether there is inner understanding and respect between us. So friendships are made on the basis of qualities, not education or performance. And that is the key to understanding what must have happened to Abraham: being gradually transformed into the likeness of God. When he had traveled a substantial distance on this journey, God could be in perfect peace with him, rest with him, and even refuse to do things in the world without his knowledge.

God sought intimacy with man, but almost did not find it - until the sacrifice of man's redemption was accomplished and the Holy Spirit was sent upon the earth. Only then could there be a precious connection, a "koinonia" between God and man at the deepest level of consciousness - "the communion of the Spirit..." from Php 2:1.