The Prodigal Father Series

Verse 17 says the young man came to his senses. Does he realize what he has done? And what he needs to do? Is he now willing to endure the scorn of the Kezazah ceremony and come back to Dad who freely let him go so he would return home? Well, let’s see what his plan C is.

The last half of verse 17 says that he recognizes that he is starving to death but his father has the resources to feed his family and his laborers while paying them all. So, he recognizes what he really had with his Dad! That good—right?

Verse 18 says that he confesses his sin and repents. He’s going to go back home. Repent means to turn around or return. So he’s repentant! That’s good! Right?

Verse 18 also says that he is going to confess that he has sinned against his Dad and heaven. And in verse 19 he admits that he is not worthy to be called his son. So he confesses his sin!! That’s good! Right?

Verse 19 continues by saying that he asks to be made one of his Father’s hired men! He wants to work for his Dad to make restitution for the wrong and the insult he’s caused the family and the village! So he wants to make restitution to show that he is really repentant and that he has truly confessed his sin. This is good! Isn’t it?

NOPE—Its not! His plan C is the wrong plan!! His plan C shows he is no different now than when he demanded his share of the estate and left his Dad. He is still the prideful, self-sufficient prodigal he has always been. Let me explain.

The last half of verse 17 says that he is starving to death. He just wants to go home so he can eat. He doesn’t want his Dad. He only wants his father’s stuff for his personal benefit. Don’t believe me? Look at the last half of verse 18 again. Jesus, says that the prodigal makes a plan to tell his Dad that he has sinned against heaven and against his Dad. That sound’s good to us, but Jesus’ listeners would have known that this is a quote from Pharaoh in Exodus 10:16. Jesus’ listeners knew that Pharaoh was working Moses or manipulating him to get what he wanted. Pharaoh said the right thing to get the plagues to stop. But he didn’t mean what he said.

That is exactly what the prodigal is doing. He is rehearsing a plan to get his Dad to take him back as a laborer so he can earn enough money to replace what he lost. He knew that the village would never let him return, unless he could convince His Dad to do this. He will save himself by keeping the law of the village, working to recover what he lost. Grace is unnecessary. He can manage alone! Thank you very much. He is still self-sufficient. He is still trying to earn his worth and acceptance in the world. He is still trying to prove to himself that he can do it and thus prove to himself his value! He is still trying to get his self-worth apart from his Father. Listen to what New Testament scholar and missionary to the Middle East Ken Bailey says about this passage:

The prodigal’s self-confessed motive and goal are finding a way to eat. If he were a servant standing before a master, his plan would be disappointing and deeply flawed, yet somehow acceptable. But a son dealing with is compassionate and loving father, his projected solution is grossly inadequate. The prodigal thinks the problem is lost money. His anticipated solution trivializes the [true] problem, which is not merely a matter of broken law abut is about a broken relationship.