New Revelation
Is there anything better than new revelation? When something becomes clear and so very understandable. I sure do. This epiphany came this past Sunday morning as we streamed church. Right here in tiny house, Holy Spirit delivered a wollop! Ready?
The Prodigal Son
I have always loved the story of the lost son – probably because I was the lost daughter for years. But, thanks to a praying grandmother and mother, I came back and have never, ever looked back. The Bible story of the prodigal son is found in Luke 15.
I have written about this true story too. You can read that here. Another one here.
I think most of us know the story so I’m going to cut right to the remarkable.
And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. Luke 15.20
Why did he run?
I know the Father was thrilled to see his son walking down the path – I get that. Did he wait every single day for his son to come home? Was his faith that strong he knew his son would return? I mean, he was waiting with a royal robe and a signet ring. THAT is faith, amen?
This is a Jewish man with Jewish kids – the son knew how deplorable it was for him to be eating in the pig pen – I mean, Jews and pigs? Never in a million.
The Law and the Jews
Here is where the revelation, the epiphany, the a-ha moment comes. Let’s look back on Hebraic law in Deuteronomy.
18 “If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and, though they discipline him, will not listen to them, 19 then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gate of the place where he lives, 20 and they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’ 21 Then all the men of the city shall stone him to death with stones. So you shall purge the evil from your midst, and all Israel shall hear, and fear. Deuteronomy 21.18-21
Hebrew law did not mess around. If you had a rebellious child? One who did the things the son did in Luke? It was the duty of the elders of the city to stone him to death.
The Father was protecting his son
His prodigal son. He ran to him, threw the robe on him – to (perhaps) hide him from the elders and get him home quickly – yes, because he was thrilled to see him, but, also, to save his son from being stoned.
O! Glory!
Does this not make perfect sense? It sure did to me.
When I came to my senses, slopping in the world’s pigpen, my heavenly Father ran to me, with a royal robe and His signet ring to protect me from the onslaught of the world. He wrapped me up and got me home to Him – He had a plan and a purpose for me and He was going to see me through it.
That causes me to shout, sing, and do the happy, hallelujah dance! I love Him so!
Now, it’s your turn…
What causes you to shout, sing, and do a happy, hallelujah dance?
For while i was still a sinner Jesus Christ died for me and that’s why he sought for me and saved me. I’m longer lost and hopeless as i have Christ the hope of glory.
Amen, Tom. Once I was blind but now I see!
I LOVE this! And I knew the “Jewish law” but had never put these things together. Thank the Lord for opening this up to you so you in turn could share with your readers! Great stuff! I love the story ……I was definitely a prodigal and I am the mother of two and grandmother of many. What makes me do a hallelujah dance? I would say……..nothing specific comes to mid BUT I do a hallelujah dance when great music is playing loudly and my feet cannot stand still. Music does it for me every time. (This did make me remember a few years back when we suffered a horrible drought here and when the rain finally came I got out in it and danced and danced!)……..
Music is such a catalyst, isn’t it? I feel a dance coming on now!!!
Love this never knew the background information. Yes, anytime God removes the blinders from our eyes. When he uses me in a Devine intervention excites me. A friend posted this and it really hit home for me. The reason I’m old and wise is because God protected me when I was young and stupid. Of course God already knows the end.
Boy oh boy, isn’t that the truth!!!
Thanks, Susie! That was a revelation for me. Love you
So interesting, eh?
Susan, this is beautiful. I never put those two passages of Scripture together before. I’ve always thought that the Father ran because of his love for his son. But that he wanted to protect him? Well, isn’t that just like God? Beautiful, my friend.
A true revelation of God’s protection!
Whoa! Good stuff!
I recently listened to a podcast that emphasized the son’s little rehearsed speech as an example of repentance that’s maybe not quite as deep as it could be.
BUT our acceptance and welcome from the father is not dependent upon our perfect repentance. Sometimes repentance is as simple as coming home..
As simple as coming home. Amen. I’m so glad He ran to meet me at a country altar in October 1992. I love Him so.
This is one of my favorite parables in the Bible. The father actually RAN. What a beautiful picture of our Father God running towards us. May we let ourselves be caught by his love. Thanks, Susan!
He did run to protect his wayward boy – just like The Father ran after me.
Susan,
Isn’t it amazing when scripture just smacks you upside the head with a “Wow!” moment?! I’d never thought of this aspect, but it makes perfect sense. The Father is not only excited, He’s tremendously protective. I am still waiting with robe and ring in hand for my son to come down the path back home….and you bet, I’ll run to him…awesome post!
Blessings,
Bev xx
And, if you call me? I’ll run with you!!!!!!!!!
Wow! What a wallop! I’ve never paid any attention to that passage before from the Old Testament. I love that idea of my Father running towards me (again and again, if necessary) to cover my sins and hide my shame.
I mean, right? How I love Him.
The prodigal son has always been one of my favorite Bible stories. Maybe because I could see myself as the prodigal daughter too. Thank you for sharing your epiphany. I never added those things up as you did. Love those aha! moments!!!
Laurie, I had help this time – a pastor we streamed this past Sunday – but what an eye opener!!!
Wow! What a priceless revelation, Susan! How could I have missed that insight and understanding! Thanks so much for sharing this!
Good news always is meant to be shared!!!
Always, Pam!!! xo
Oh yes…. Love and Faith played a part in the Fathers’ patient waiting season –but it was Daddy God who raised up and caused Him to run!!! God’s Protection and Redemption and a Willingness to Fight for us undoes me every time!
And what makes me run/dance? Answered Prayer… Miracles… Worship… whenever Joy and Hope join together!
xoxo
~Karrilee~
That story is such a beautiful story! Love this post
Have you ever linked the running to the Deuteronomy scripture?
Yes! He sure did have faith. I like that he waited with the robe and ring. He didn’t hesitate either, he saw his son and ran straight away I am sure.
What a beautiful picture of our Father, eh? Thanks for visiting, Steve.