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Thread: Prodigal Son

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    Prodigal Son

    11 Then He said: "A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with [a]prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the [b]pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

    17 "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants." '

    20 "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

    22 "But the father said to his servants, [c]'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry.

    25 "Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.'

    Okay, now here's what I want to focus on and get your opinions on:

    How did the older son find out his brother was back? He heard music and dancing, meaning dad went out and hired a band, brought in guests to celebrate, and essentially bought catering. The older son specifically asked one of the servants, who also knew the younger son was back.

    So what I'm wondering is what is the significance of the dad not telling anything to the oldest son, leaving him out in the cold? You would think he would be one of the first people who was told, not completely forgotten about.

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    Senior Member Smitty's Avatar
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    It looks like the elder son had been working in the fields all day. Perhaps the prodigal returned home in the morning. This would have given the Father ample time to prepare for the celebration before the older son returned from the fields at the end of the day. Case in point, the younger son typifies the repentant sinner while the eldest son illustrates the scribes and Pharisees. Notice that the older son was consumed with a jealous rage. He refused to participate in the welcoming home party that the Father had arranged. This older brother also refused to acknowledge the younger son as his brother, saying to the Father, "this younger son of yours." Again, this older son represents a picture of the scribes and pharisees. The older son resented the Father showing any mercy to His wayward younger brother. Just as the scribes and pharisees were religious hypocrites and guilty sinners, the eldest brothers pride blinded him to see just how far he himself was distant from God. Perhaps, if this older son had been willing to repent and acknowledge his sin of pride, resentment, and jealousy, then the Fathers heart would have also been gladdened to have cause for another great celebration because of the older brother repented of his own hypocritical, judgmental attitude.
    If you put God First, you have Him at Last.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Smitty View Post
    It looks like the elder son had been working in the fields all day. Perhaps the prodigal returned home in the morning. This would have given the Father ample time to prepare for the celebration before the older son returned from the fields at the end of the day. Case in point, the younger son typifies the repentant sinner while the eldest son illustrates the scribes and Pharisees. Notice that the older son was consumed with a jealous rage. He refused to participate in the welcoming home party that the Father had arranged. This older brother also refused to acknowledge the younger son as his brother, saying to the Father, "this younger son of yours." Again, this older son represents a picture of the scribes and pharisees. The older son resented the Father showing any mercy to His wayward younger brother. Just as the scribes and pharisees were religious hypocrites and guilty sinners, the eldest brothers pride blinded him to see just how far he himself was distant from God. Perhaps, if this older son had been willing to repent and acknowledge his sin of pride, resentment, and jealousy, then the Fathers heart would have also been gladdened to have cause for another great celebration because of the older brother repented of his own hypocritical, judgmental attitude.
    Thanks, Smitty, I had thought similarly about the older son working all day, but I then wondered why the Dad couldn't send someone to tell the older son to leave work early that day, bathe and put on his nice clothes for a party. Dad obviously sent for a band and guests, as word couldn't travel as quickly then, so why not tell the older son first-ish?

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    Senior Member Smitty's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Josh View Post
    Thanks, Smitty, I had thought similarly about the older son working all day, but I then wondered why the Dad couldn't send someone to tell the older son to leave work early that day, bathe and put on his nice clothes for a party. Dad obviously sent for a band and guests, as word couldn't travel as quickly then, so why not tell the older son first-ish?
    That a great question. I don't have an answer. But it's something to think about.
    If you put God First, you have Him at Last.

  6. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by Josh View Post

    ..... He heard music and dancing, meaning dad went out and hired a band, brought in guests to celebrate, and essentially bought catering. The older son specifically asked one of the servants, who also knew the younger son was back.

    So what I'm wondering is what is the significance of the dad not telling anything to the oldest son, leaving him out in the cold? You would think he would be one of the first people who was told, not completely forgotten about.
    It does not say what time is was when the younger son showed up, it very well could have been in the late afternoon.

    It also does not say that the father hired musicians or brought in caterers.

    Many cultures or "country folk" do all of their own music, and feast preparations.

    The fatted calf was already killed but may not yet have been cooked/prepared.

    I don't think that the elder son was "left out in the cold" about it.







    .
    This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity (futility) of their mind, having the understanding darkened...
    (Ephesians 4:17-18)

    Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly...
    (Psalm 1)

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