In Luke 15:11-32, we read the story of the prodigal son. It is a
story about a wealthy landowner and his two sons.
The
youngest son comes to the father, one day, and wants his share of the
inheritance so that he can leave home. After turning the holdings into cash, he
heads out to parts unknown.
The
story tells that this rebellious son wastes all his money and in desperation,
finds a job feeding pigs - not a place for a good Jewish boy to be.
After
hunger sets in, he realizes that the best place in the world for him was at
Father’s house. He leaves the “pig pen” and heads for home.
The
oldest son being firstborn would have inherited 2/3 of the assets (a double
portion) and the youngest son received a single portion.
When
the son left home several things would have occurred.
We
pick up the story when the wayward son is nearing home. The account in
scripture says “but while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and
was moved with pity. He ran and threw his arms around him and kissed him
warmly”. The father was watching for his son. Why?
Custom
in that day demanded that the offender not be allowed to return and it was the
duty of the village to stone or beat the offender so that he would not reach
the wronged person. This father who could never get the son out of his heart
hoped for the return but knew what fate awaited him.
The
father would have had to gather his long robes up around his ankles in order to
run fast to save his son before the people killed him. Exposing his ankles was
a very humiliating thing to do- much like Queen Elizabeth running unbecomingly.
Honourable men of the day would move about with slowness and dignity –actions
befitting their status in society. The younger son gave a rehearsed speech
citing a repentant heart and asked that a lowly job be given to him.
The
father responded by calling for a robe to be brought to him. This robe would
have been one from the father’s belongings, as all the son’s clothing would
have been destroyed. The son now wore a robe of “position”. Shoes were placed
on his feet- a sign of “not” being a servant, and, a ring showing authority was
placed on his finger. The father gave full restoration to the son.
Now,
the father called for a feast. This meal is called “ the meal of
reconciliation”. Even in Israel today, reconciliation meals are held. The
offended families join for a meal and do not leave the room until full
restoration of relationship occurs. This could be from a death caused by
carelessness or property falsely taken. The two families would choose to work
out a total reconciliation over a meal. Hours go by until both parties are able
to forgive. It is not uncommon to read an ad in the Israeli paper today stating
that so and so has shared a meal (a shulchan) and the relationship is restored.
Now, as in ancient times, the offending incident is never to be mentioned
again.
The
prodigal son story tells of this kind of meal. This is why the action of the
oldest son is so sad. He is told that the son has returned and that a shulchan
is being prepared. The fatted calf is to be killed and cooked. Many scholars in
the Hebraic Roots studies tell us that this calf was very special being raised
for sacrifice in the Temple on behalf of the family.
The
son refuses to honour the meal. The Father pleads with the son to join them. He
says” Son, you are always with me and everything I have is yours.” Translating
that into our language, we would say” Son, we have never needed to mend our
relationship. All is loving between you and me.”
Why was the elder son so angry? Perhaps
because when he heard of the “shulchan”, he knew that the youngest son would be
back in the position of receiving an inheritance when the father died. Greed is
a deadly thing. It also could have been that he had seen the suffering and
shame that the father had lived with after the youngest son had left.
This
parable that Jesus told has deep meaning. It can refer to Israel who is “the
firstborn” and the rightful inheritor of a double portion from The Most High: a
Jew (His firstborn) who could be jealous that the Most High (Father) is giving
honours to another. (Romans 11:11) It could also show the depth of love our
Heavenly Father will go to reconcile us to Himself. 2 Corinthians 5:18 “And it is all from God, who through the
Messiah has reconciled us to Himself and has given us the work of that
reconciliation..”
We,
like the prodigal son, must return to Father’s house and repent and we will
find the Father running to meet us with arms extended in love.
Next
month, we will look at the question “Was Jesus really a Rabbi?” It explains
where Jesus was the missing years between his Temple visit and the beginning of
his ministry. Was he in America?
Shalom!
