> General Discussions
prodigal son
rocky:
--- Quote from: Joey Porter on January 03, 2007, 10:27:34 PM ---
--- Quote from: rocky on January 03, 2007, 02:06:05 AM ---I have always thot of the prodigal son as representing the elect, those shown mercy rather than hardening, vessel of honor rather than dishonor.
If this is the case, then who does the older son represent. I've always thot of the older son as representing the many called.
But then i read this verse regarding the older son,
Luk 15:31 "Now he said to him, 'Child, you are always with me, and all mine is yours.
Luk 15:32 Yet we must be merry and rejoice, seeing that this your brother was dead and revives, and was lost and was found.'"
Kinda of strange that the older son had full inheritance (all mine in yours), yet never went the route of destruction.
So this makes me think that maybe the prodigal son represents the called, and those who go by the broad road to destrction (Lake of Fire).
any thoughts??
--- End quote ---
The verse that you underlined has always thrown a bit of a wrench into my view of the parable, which seems to be the same as yours. That is, if the stay at home son represents the called, the one who will be cast into outer darkness, the one who will be weeping and gnashing hist teeth, looking at the kingdom from the outside, then why does his father tell him "you are always with me, and all that I have is yours?"
First of all, the stay at home son has to represent the many called who will not be in the kingdom, because it harmonizes with all of the other parables such as the 99 sheep, the faithful and wicked servants, the house on the sand or the rock, the rich man and Lazarus, and so forth.
There is only good one answer that I can surmise as to why the stay at home son is told that.
Ezekiel 14
4 Therefore speak to them and tell them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: When any Israelite sets up idols in his heart and puts a wicked stumbling block before his face and then goes to a prophet, I the LORD will answer him myself in keeping with his great idolatry.
2 Thessalonians 2
11For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
That's the best I can come up with. In this parable, Jesus is showing us how God will answer the called according to the idols that they have in their heart so that they remain complacent, because of their carnality and stubborness.
That could also be why in the parable of the wedding banquet, the man is speechless when he is asked why he is not wearing wedding clothes. Because, due the idols in his own heart, he was given over into thinkingthat he was on the narrow path to life, when in fact he was on the path to destruction.
--- End quote ---
I found this interesting this morning, by faith we are children of God. The inheritance is ours.
Gal 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
or another translation (NLT)
7 Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child.* And since you are his child, everything he has belongs to you.
this sounds similar to the verse re: the elder son in Matthew, everything I have is yours.
Both sons started out with the inheritancde (Christ), one waisted it (sounds like the foolish Galatians, reverting badk to self righteousness through law abiding), and one by faith stayed close to the father. One a martha, and one a mary.
Excellent points from all parties. And either way, like a post earlier said, we're missing the big picture of God's love. To me, one is through destruction/LOF, waisting Christ through law abiding; and one by faith. Either way all will confess Christ is LORD.
Slim:
I used to feel that this was unfair to the older son. I no longer do. I used to be like the older son in one way. I thought I was righteous. But I was not. I was proud and should have been ashamed. I was jealous and should have been grateful. The older son is very righteous. He acts like he is a perfect son without flaws. He resents the celebration the younger son gets because he is jealous. He should have been glad his brother returned and was not. His heart was NOT filled with love. The younger son came back humbled with a heart filled with love for his father and family. It is a journey we all take. For those of you who are righteous, I feel sorry for you. You are not. I am filled with joy that the prodigal son came back. He is me and he is every man and women. We all stray and we all sin. Thanks and praise be to Jesus, we are forgiven. We are all welcome back into the loving arms of God but we must be humbled before we "want" to return. That was the true miracle in the story. The prodigal son suddenly "wanted" to go back. His heart was changed. The older son had a hardened heart judging by his lack of rejoicing for his reunion with his long lost brother. That is my 2 cents for what it is worth.
Kat:
I can see a parallel between the story of the prodigal son and with the story of Joseph.
Joseph was living a good life with his Father, as was the younger brother with his father.
Both left there father, the circumstances were different, but they both ended up in a far off land, and they were dealing with a lot of trails and difficulties.
As the younger son 'came to himself' he went to his father, sounds like us coming to our senses, when God dragged us to Him.
In Joseph's story his father sent his brothers unknowingly, to seek help from their brother. It was a very difficult thing for them to except Joseph as being their ruler. There could be seen a parallel there as to the church most certainly will not want the elect to rule over them.
Now the older brother was complaining about what the Father had given the younger son.
Luk 15:31 And he said to him, Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.
If you notice, this is after the younger son had returned home and was received back unto the father, maybe this is a parallel to the reward of the first resurrection.
So this seems like to me the older brother is not happy about what he received.
It is the same as in the parable of the workers in the vineyard.
Mat 20:10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius.
Mat 20:11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house,
This unwillingness to forgive what we see as faults of others is also shown in the parable of the unmerciful servant.
Mat 18:32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
Mat 18:33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?'
Mat 18:34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.
Mat 18:35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."
I think all of these parables are showing the same thing, that the Father will reward as He sees fit,
And nobody should be bothered or jealous, because it is the Father who rewards as He so chooses.
mercy, peace,a nd love
Kat
DWIGHT:
Hello Joe and Slim,
I want to thank you both for your words of understanding. How wonderful that God's forgiveness has no bounds or limits. I just feel so unworthy as I know you both do too. Slim, especially now, knowing about your cancer must really put this into perspective. Brothers, our lives are so short like a vapour and then is gone so quickly. So what that we know all the doctrines and have all the knowledge that we can show the world our self-taught wisdom, without His love and mercy we are nothing. I thank God that He led me to you because quite frankly, I can't go on alone anymore. I need the body of Christ. I need your fellowship.....I need you!
Your brother,
Dwight,
ciy:
Someone may have said this, but the older son seems to represent the jewish people (jews by the flesh) and the prodigal represents the gentile people who went away but came to the knowledge of his father through experience. He who is first will be last. The jew in the flesh always had the opportunity but since he did not take it the prodigal son was grafted in. The older son respected his father out of his father's position and the prodigal respected his father out of love.
CIY
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version