"Abraham's bosom" is found in Luke 16:19-31.
What then is Abraham’s bosom? Why was it not God’s bosom?
To whom was that parable given? Jesus was teaching his disciples, all of whom were Jewish.
Verses just before Jesus uttered it, gave us a clue about who he was talking about with that parable of the rich man and Lazarus..
He said…
”Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him. And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.” (Luke 16:14-15 NASB)
So Jesus used a “rich man” as part of his illustration. He used a beggar by contrast to picture the spiritually impoverished “lost sheep” to whom he was sent….these barely got crumbs falling from the rich man’s table.
Both died and changed places…..the rich man lost his place, and the beggar attained, it in “Abraham’s bosom”. Since the Jews had no belief in an immortal soul, those in “hades” (the grave) were not literally alive, but symbolically and spiritually dead and finding themselves in altered circumstances. “Gnashing of their teeth” followed their fall from God’s favour.
[quote@William Barton]"Bosom" is Greek πολκοις = "upper part of chest." Figuratively it can indicate "inner circle, place of honor and safety." (Oxford Greek Dictionary).[/quote]
Yes, the “bosom” position was one of favor, as those reclining at a meal, only one could occupy the “bosom” position of the host. The apostle John usually reclined there, as a close associate of his Master….one he was especially fond of.
The fact that it was Abraham’s bosom and not God’s, revealed that it was the Jewish Pharisees that he was alluding to….sons of Abraham…..holding the favored position in the nation, but they lost it when they rejected their Messiah. The beggar gained it by accepting Jesus as their Savior.
If we go where Abraham is now, then I suppose we are secure in heaven, since he is Father of the faith.
Abraham did not have a hope of going to heaven.....God’s early servants did not have any beliefs about heaven and hell...only life and death...and those concepts were biblical...but immortal souls and strange destinations for them did not originate from among God’s people....or from Scripture.....they are entirely pagan adoptions.
Hebrews 11 is a glowing commendation of all those faithful ones of old who died without receiving the fulfilment of the promises that knew were sure to come about....on earth.
It concludes by saying.....
“And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.” (Heb 11:39-40 ESV)
So those of God’s faithful ancient servants were not going to see the promises fulfilled before the ones who died after Christ opened the way to heaven....that was only for the elect. No one who died before Jesus, receives a heavenly reward, as only those taken into the new covenant can go there as “kings and priests” ruling in his kingdom. (Rev 20:6) These are the one who experience “the first resurrection”.
The ancient ones will come back to life on earth when Jesus calls all the dead from their graves. (John 5:28-29) Reinstating his first purpose for the human race was always on God’s agenda.....they will all receive everlasting life in paradise on earth. (Rev 21:2-4)
