The Prodigal Son... Sons... Or Father?

[GoldenEagle]

I am a bit of both! I can well remember wanting, as a youngster, to get out on my own and I can equally remember turning to God for redemption.

It seems like that is not uncommon. Perhaps due to our rebellion in an early season of life and then consequently as we get older/”settle down” we need the reminder that we’re still sinners saved by God’s grace through Jesus.

It seems to me that our Father is literally leaning forward looking for us to come to Him. It took me 40 years to finally come to the realization of His saving grace and remember the feeling of total freedom I got at that moment.

Leaning is a great expression. (Side note anyone seen “While You Were Sleeping” – Sandra Bullock is asked twice if everything okay as guys are “leaning.”) The idea portrayed is interest and care. God leans his ear towards us. How beautiful is that?

Joe's verses say it all.

I agree. Those are great verses Joe

I am not sure what is meant by Prodigal Father?

Extravagant, Sacrificial, Yielding his rights.

What if our God is prodigal? - Extravagant and sacrificially giving in His Love towards us?

[gdemoss]

Thanks for the discussion, I have enjoyed it.

Gary

[OldShep]

From a simple man a simple answer.

I have been all, the son who had lots and blew it on the things of this world, the brother who was angry over the behavior of a younger child and the father who lost a son to the world for a while, who returned home and is now following Jesus.

ICL~~~Dennis.

[other one]

Reading through the thread, one thing stood out to me that might make a difference.

Golden, you made the statement that the younger son was restored..... and that's really not the case for the Father reminded the eldest son that at his death all that he had would his (the eldest son's).

Also, the Father didn't give the young son anything that would not have been his in the future anyway, so he really didn't do anything extra for the young son that would not have been his to begin with.

So when one says that the young son was restored, it's not a true description of the situation. We don't know the position of the young son in relation to his standing after the father dies...... and all belongs to the elder brother.

Now, one might think that the father did the young son a disservice by giving him his portion up front, but I don't think that is the case. Fathers know thir sons, and I don't see how the father wouldn't know what that son would do after his death... So the father gave the young son something in life that he would not have been able to give him after his death...... and that would be the young sons life.

It seems obvious to me that the elder brother would have just turned out the young brother and let him die on the streets not taking in the lessons that the younger brother had learned.

The father actually gave his young son the ability to live.

Problem is that we don't really know the rest of the story as Paul Harvey says... but I'm guessing that the young son will make the best hired hand the elder brother will ever have. And in time a real relationship as family.

How does that relate to the people being spoken to.... I think either the Pharasees, or the sinners, it is an offer of life. For all that the Father has will be or is the eldest sons and will be his to do with as he pleases. And we will be that younger brother that came back and will be working for the elder brother (Jesus) but safe and secure.

[He giveth more grace]

... I'm guessing that the young son will make the best hired hand the elder brother will ever have.

Come on, preach it, 'other one', I believe that too. The younger son being broken and humbled and perhaps a servant over heard the eldest and recounted it to the restored son. You are exactly right.

[Sevenseas]

Right. I’m sure people will have an issue with calling God prodigal. But understand what I mean...

But I propose that it be used this way…

Sorry, but I truly only see 'grab your attention' value in using that term that way.

Reason: the word prodigal is understood to mean WASTEFUL so I would disagree, understanding that the author of the articles is using

it to mean other than its intended meaning. I, don't need to understand God's love from a that viewpoint

Now, I have heard the love of God described as extravagant, IMO, if one wants to use an adjective before the love, I think that word

might be better understood

I have read the posts and I am reminded of an English Lit class wherein the novel is discussed and people are encouraged to contribute

their own understanding and what they think is BEHIND the story, ie motivation, psychology, parallels...for me, that does not work

as the operating system for exploration of the meanings here

So, I have got to say I disagree with the word prodigal in connection with the love of God. I am not comfortable with it and more, I do not

think it suitable. That, is my take on it ~

Me:ps...I do know that there can be layers of understanding in something, but I'm hesitant to fish for a hybrid specimen that does not reproduce.

GE: What do you mean?

Hybrid...resulting offspring of 2 different incompatible species...incompatible because they cannot reproduce. (horse and donkey = sterile mule)

In other words, I think it is stretching it to call the love of God prodigal

I seriously think that this parable is best explained as the love of a father (THE Father) FIRST and then I guess people can split the atom anyway they want after that

but I would most likely only agree with a couple of the other 'insights'

Don't mean to sound stuffy, but that is my take on it

[Sevenseas]

Okay what did you think of the post #14?

will get back to you on that...lack of time right now...

[Sevenseas]

You know, this was a parable but is appealing because it could be true. I think the stuffing is being kicked out of it to the detriment

of the main or central theme.

The FORGIVENESS and ACCEPTANCE of the Father to the son. I'm not sure Jesus is the elder brother or all those other

theories being tossed around either

That's just me thinking independently. Just not a crowd pleaser I guess

[MorningGlory]

... thanks for the pm and trailer

Trailer? What Trailer? I didn't get a Trailer? Does it sleep four?

[GoldenEagle]

From a simple man a simple answer.

I have been all, the son who had lots and blew it on the things of this world, the brother who was angry over the behavior of a younger child and the father who lost a son to the world for a while, who returned home and is now following Jesus.

ICL~~~Dennis.

Good perspective Dennis. Thanks for sharing.