The Prodigal's father was done horribly wrong. - Why wasn't that an issue?

[St. SteVen]

To the Prodigal, his father was worth more to him dead than alive. (ouch)
But the father complied to his wishes in giving him his full inheritance, which he squandered.

When the prodigal finally returns home, we find the father watching for him.
The father actually ran to meet him. Instead of scolding him, the prodigal gets a loving embrace
and is invited back with full authority returned to him.

Discussion questions:
- Why no warnings given when the son left home?
- Why no scolding upon his return?
- Why was the son returned to full authority?
- Why a celebration upon his return?

Luke 15:20-24 NIV
So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him
and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son,
threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him.
Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.
24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again;
he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

 

[Lambano]

The Prodigal's father was done horribly wrong. - Why wasn't that an issue?​

Because the father chose to not make it an issue.

(I've heard more than one commentary say that the father was acting more like the Prodigal Son's mother.)

 

[St. SteVen]

(I've heard more than one commentary that the father was acting more like the Prodigal Son's mother.)

That reminds me of this topic.

God the Mother. (the maternal qualities of God)

Say what? --- We refer to God as Father, and we should... But what about the maternal qualities of our heavenly parent? - Other-centered - Self-giving - Co-suffering - Self-sacrificial Thanks to Wm. Paul Young for the list. [

www.christianityboard.com

 

[Deborah_]

The father doesn't act as a normal father would in such circumstances.

That's the whole point.

Jesus is showing us what God is like.

 

[St. SteVen]

The father doesn't act as a normal father would in such circumstances.

That's the whole point.

Jesus is showing us what God is like.

Shouldn't that be an example to human fathers?
That's the way I understand it.

 

[Wick Stick]

Shouldn't that be an example to human fathers?
That's the way I understand it.

You could use it that way and I wouldn't object. I don't think that was the intended lesson, though.

This is a telling of the story of Israel, Judah, and God. Israel is the Prodigal. Upon their return, their brother Judah holds them in contempt.

 

[Bob]

Thank you for the questions. Many of those who responded have it just right.

Here is the Apostle Paul regarding someone choosing to live in sin (who should know better):
1 Corinthians 5—
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife.
2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.
3 For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. 4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

There may be some additional passages in the Bible, to the effect that if a person chooses a life of sin, God will allow that person to pursue it to the fullest, that the person may experience folly and eventually repent.
Blessings.

 

[Lambano]

You could use it that way and I wouldn't object. I don't think that was the intended lesson, though.

This is a telling of the story of Israel, Judah, and God. Israel is the Prodigal. Upon their return, their brother Judah holds them in contempt.

Maybe the parable of the Good Samaritan might address that. The context in chapter 15 is 'Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”' Then Jesus responds with the parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son.

 

[Wick Stick]

Maybe the parable of the Good Samaritan might address that. The context in chapter 15 is 'Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”' Then Jesus responds with the parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son.

I might be thick, but I don't see a contradiction there. Are the Pharisees not emblematic of Judah? Are the Lost Sheep not Israel everywhere else in Scripture?

 

[Lambano]

I might be thick, but I don't see a contradiction there. Are the Pharisees not emblematic of Judah? Are the Lost Sheep not Israel everywhere else in Scripture?

That's so far out in left field (and hooking towards the foul pole) that it's worth exploring.

 

[Reggie Belafonte]

To the Prodigal, his father was worth more to him dead than alive. (ouch)
But the father complied to his wishes in giving him his full inheritance, which he squandered.

When the prodigal finally returns home, we find the father watching for him.
The father actually ran to meet him. Instead of scolding him, the prodigal gets a loving embrace
and is invited back with full authority returned to him.

Discussion questions:
- Why no warnings given when the son left home?
- Why no scolding upon his return?
- Why was the son returned to full authority?
- Why a celebration upon his return?

Luke 15:20-24 NIV
So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him
and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son,
threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him.
Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.
24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again;
he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

He was not given full authority at all ! he lost his inheritance and was below to his younger brother.

He squandered all he had and became a Slave, but was back home ? so that was a good thing to come back.
He was a moron and always will been seen as such ! and set as an example to all !

That's how it is in reality ! such disregard to God and everyone and not to mention himself, is set out for what it truly is in fact !
But the moronic dog came back.
The fool did not come back in glory at all !
That's the world that is full of Delusions and deceptions, the trip that he was in love with ! but when all that failed due to squandering etc like a moronic stupid pathetic low life Mutt.
People like that are typical due to being Lost !
They only destroy everything because they are cursed ! but the dog came back only when he was totaly destroyed with no options but to crawl back like the Mutt that he was !
Then he could be an example to all ! of what happens to the Godless !
So such was of good ends to have such a fool back ! So others can have a better understanding of such ignorance.
He would have to fit into line once again. he did not want to fit into line, but ran out hadf nothing left to hock off and came back knowing full well he was not going to inherit. but that he would come under the same roof. he is a laughing stock but an example of reality to all. No one is looking up to him at all in fact. but he is home. serving as an example !
He knew they were right !
He had to eat humble pie ! he payed the price ! and lost his standing. but he had to repent ! then he could build himself back up. as it is with anyone. what does not kill you, can be posible to make one stronger ?

 

[Wick Stick]

That's so far out in left field (and hooking towards the foul pole) that it's worth exploring.

Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

I know my theology is weird by the standards of orthodoxy. I also haven't had anybody seriously impeach it in some time. I suppose the loyal opposition would have to understand it first, which doesn't seem to happen much...

 

[Beebster]

You could use it that way and I wouldn't object. I don't think that was the intended lesson, though.

This is a telling of the story of Israel, Judah, and God. Israel is the Prodigal. Upon their return, their brother Judah holds them in contempt.

I think it's about Judah, and the Gentiles. Just like The Rich Man and Lazarus.
Although you could say Israel (those of the promise) and Judah.

 

[St. SteVen]

Maybe the parable of the Good Samaritan might address that. The context in chapter 15 is 'Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”' Then Jesus responds with the parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son.

I might be thick, but I don't see a contradiction there. Are the Pharisees not emblematic of Judah? Are the Lost Sheep not Israel everywhere else in Scripture?

I think the Good Samaritan is an example of a multiple meaning that transcends the political/spiritual. (Israel)
Just as the Good Samaritan has broader meaning, so too I think the Prodigal father.
(as an example of human fatherhood)

 

[n2thelight]

To the Prodigal, his father was worth more to him dead than alive. (ouch)
But the father complied to his wishes in giving him his full inheritance, which he squandered.

When the prodigal finally returns home, we find the father watching for him.
The father actually ran to meet him. Instead of scolding him, the prodigal gets a loving embrace
and is invited back with full authority returned to him.

Discussion questions:
- Why no warnings given when the son left home?
- Why no scolding upon his return?
- Why was the son returned to full authority?
- Why a celebration upon his return?

Luke 15:20-24 NIV
So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him
and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son,
threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him.
Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.
24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again;
he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

He was lost ,and found his way back home...

 

[St. SteVen]

He was lost ,and found his way back home...

Thanks.
Here's something we should consider.
Was he lost before he left home?

 

[Wick Stick]

I think it's about Judah, and the Gentiles.

Potato, Potahto. The Gentiles are adopted and become the new Israel.

Just like The Rich Man and Lazarus.
Although you could say Israel (those of the promise) and Judah.

The Promise to Abraham was "I will make you a father of nations." The adoption of Gentiles fulfils that promise.

 

[Azim]

Thanks.
Here's something we should consider.
Was he lost before he left home?

Perhaps the son's heart became lost, and why he desired to leave, hoping to find it in another place. Our heart is where are our treasures are, and the son realized after losing his material wealth, his real treasure and heart was with his father.

 

[Wick Stick]

Perhaps the son's heart became lost, and why he desired to leave, hoping to find it in another place. Our heart is where are our treasures are, and the son realized after losing his material wealth, his real treasure and heart was with his father.

Perhaps he started out as a wayward little brat, and had to learn a little humility before he became something better. :)

 

[n2thelight]

Thanks.
Here's something we should consider.
Was he lost before he left home?

I don't think so, IMO, He had it all, but found out the ways of the world wasn't what he thought it would be...Hard times he had ,but he said I will return back to my Father.

Think it's showing with repentance ,we can all return home....