Cities of Refuge: Returning to GraceSample

 Day Two: The Father

When we look at the parable of the Prodigal Son (or the Lost Son as  some translations label it) the character of the father is one we should  not ignore. Of course Yeshua is using a human man as a symbol of our  heavenly Father so we should not take the allegory too far, but we can  learn a lot about the personality of Yahweh from this tale. 

First of all, the father has two sons and enough estate to split  between them, which means that he must have been wealthy. He had to have  been in some way wise with his own money or he would have none to  divide between his inheritors. Like the father in this tale, Yahweh is  rich beyond measure and always wise in his dealings. Ephesians 1:7-14  reminds us that our inheritance, through the blood of Yeshua, is  redemption, forgiveness, and rich grace and our very good Father allows  us the benefit of all these things even before we are made perfect in  his presence and are able to fully comprehend the vastness of such  marvelous riches. 

Secondly, he agreed to the younger son’s demand that his estate be  divided well before his death. This younger son, by Torah law, would  receive a third of the entire estate (the other 2/3 going to the oldest  son since he receives a double portion). So in order to comply with this  request the father must have gone to some length to liquidate assets in  order to go along with a scheme that he knew was in no way wise. We see  no pushback on his part, no lengthy lecture about how foolish such a  decision would be, just a simple acquiescence to the demand; probably  because the younger son knew full well the truth and the consequences of  his demand. Now of course we could say that the father was himself  reckless with his wealth, knowing his son well enough to guess that it  would be wasted on indulgence, but perhaps we can see a little bit of  Yahweh’s sovereignty at work here instead. 

Our Father knows the end from the beginning, he can see the lessons  that need to be learned, the honing that needs to occur, and the wisdom  that will be gleaned from failure. Since we know he works all things  together for the good of those who love him, we can be assured that even  our rebellion can be a vehicle through which we can become more  acquainted with his true character. For me personally, it was during the  time I was wandering that I most clearly saw the Eternal One wooing me  back to him, calling me home, and reminding me of his unconditional  faithfulness. And when I did finally repent, I had the privilege of  experiencing the beauty of his mercy and grace on my world-weary soul. 

The younger son had a lesson to learn, one that required some tough  love and some natural consequences. Yes, the father was putting himself  at risk. He risked being shamed by his neighbors for bowing to the  younger son’s demand. He risked a good portion of the wealth he’d  probably spent a lifetime accruing. He risked the chance that his  reckless child might never return home or would even die in his pursuit  of pleasure. He risked his relationship with the older son who was  offended by the father’s indulgence. But somehow he must have known that  in the end his risks would be worth it, for why else would he be  watching the road expectantly, if he did not think his lost child would  return? 

I am certainly grateful for a Father who loved me even when I  willfully ran to a “far-off country” and who continues to love me even  when I take side trips to places I know I should not go. He risked  everything for me, even his precious Son. He allows me the free will to  make my own decisions, even when those decisions may not be in my best  interest and yet does not withhold his love and goodness even when I am  pushing the boundaries and testing his patience. Just as I would never  stop loving my own children, even if they strayed far from my teaching  and from their spiritual heritage, our God’s love never fails. 

Even though he asks us to obey His laws, because his ways are good  and righteous and always for our benefit, his love is not based on the  condition of our obedience, it is based on who HE is and that, my  friends, is really Good News. Even when we break fellowship with him by  willfully pursuing our own way, he remains steadfast and compassionate  toward our brokenness and fallible nature.  

 Just as Yahweh promised unfaithful Israel in Hosea 14 that if they  would turn from their iniquity and return to him he would heal them and  lavish his goodness upon them, we can be assured that our Father is  always looking down the road, ready and expectant for our return, a  royal robe and ring in hand and an extravagant, undeserved feast  prepared for our return. He does not drag us into his Kingdom, nor does  he chase us down with a big stick demanding our obedience when we fail,  instead he invites us into his place of eternal refuge and waits with  arms wide open and with our names written upon his scarred hands. 

Questions for Consideration

When have you experienced Yahweh’s mercy most visibly in your life?  What lessons have you learned from the Lord allowing you to “have your  own way” during times of wandering? How did those experiences more  clearly reveal his character to you?

Take a few quiet moments to thank the God who knows the end from the  beginning for all the ways he has guided you and protected you, even  when you were unaware of his leading or were blinded by  self-centeredness. How does considering his vast knowledge inspire you  to look at things from a different perspective? 

If you are a parent, in what ways does this parable inspire you in  your relationship with your own children? How does it convict you?