 10-04-2007, 12:10 PM
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LovingNeighbor
 
Joined on 02-10-2006
Washington
Posts 397
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Return of the Son - The Message of the Bible
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Return of the Son
For the Torah
By Lovingneighbor 2006-7
This Study is on the books of the Torah also called 'Instruction'. In these books we have written the studies:
Efrayim - B'reisheet
As a Child - Shemot
Betrothed - Vayikra
His House - Bamidbar
Prepare Your Children - Devarim
In this years study of the Torah we have written the studies Efrayim, As a Child, Betrothed, His House, and Prepare Your Children. As I meditated on these titles I couldn't help but think of the story of the prodigal son. Efrayim was at one time in his Father's house but then took his inheritance which is his land or flesh and left his Father's house which is the model of sin. but hen he realizes he is wrong and makes the decision to return home. Not because he deserves it which he states when he realizes he doesn't even deserve to be a son but if he could just be a servant in his Father's house. Unlike many Christians and messianics who beliee they have right to be kings and priests and all of that, we see that that is not the pattern with the prosigal son. He comes back humbly, just like Ya'akov does with Esau. He doesn't put forth his gift and then expect forgiveness. This kind of pride is dangerous. Let's read the account of the prodigal son and see if we can see Efrayim as the prodigal son and Yahudah as the other.
Luk 15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
Luk 15:12 And the younger of them said to his Father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me. And He divided unto them his living.
Luk 15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
Luk 15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
Luk 15:15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
Luk 15:16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
This first set of scriptures is interesting because firt the man had two sons which we see this story in many parables, the one was the younger and that could represent Efrayim who was younger that Yahudah. The younger asked for his inhertance to leave the presence of his father's house and his brother. This is like Efrayim taking the 9 tribes which were promised to him from the prophecy he received earlier. Then he took them and left his father's house being Yahrushalayim and went up north. While up there he wasted away his inheritance being both the 10 tribes by taking them into idolatry and his inheritance is also the Torah which he wasted away or diminished. He wasted all it says which is like going into utter wickedness and thus the famine in the land or in the flesh was a famine of the word fo Elohim or the torah. They were being lawless or torahless. He joined himself to idols which were the citizens of the far off land. This goes into the saying if you bring a idol into your house you become like unto it. So the idol worshippers are idols themselves and thus citizens of a dead vain people. They feed the unclean and the abomination. This is lieksaying they encourage things that make desolate their houses. These are anti torah lifestyles. So he ate the food of swine because he also had become like unto them. This is like the curse of lo ammi. not myy people that came upon Efrayim. Next it says that no man gave unto him. This is like the other curse of lo ruchamah no mercy. He spent all he had which means he forgot his holy days, and commandment keeping and when he became empty and vain there was no mercy because as it says in the torah.
Jon 2:8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
So let's look at the next portion of the story
Luk 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
Luk 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before you,
Luk 15:19 And am no more worthy to be called your son: make me as one of your hired servants.
Luk 15:20 And he arose, and came to his Father. But when he was yet a great way off, his Father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Luk 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight, and am no more worthy to be called your son.
Luk 15:22 But the Father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
Luk 15:23 And bring here the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
Luk 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
The first thing of interest is it says when he came to himself. This phrase reminds me of the lo ammi curse and the forgetting of holy days, and new moons, the curse was to forget who you were. A big movement to return to Torah is happening and I don't think it's a coincidence. people all over are waking up to want to learn Torah but I would venture to say many of them are relearning it. Their bloodline had forgotten it and as the old saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. They are desiring it with zeal and excitement. Then he talks about the hired servants, these are spoken of again when Messiah says in Yochanan or John 10:12 about the hired servants watching over the flock but will flee when the wolf comes. These are like the Torah teachers of men and the pharisees, they were left in charge of th flock and they have received their wages in the honor of men but they don't care for the flock other than what benefit they receive from them. This is alot like the preachers and book writers who do these things for gain and honor. This is likened my the Master to those who make big prayers infront of people, they have received their reward which is the meaning of the root word of the hired servant. in both Hbrew and greek the word for Hired Servant comes from the root of reward. They are doing what they are doing for gain. Does this sound familiar? What if you were promised punishment and death and not life would you still be interested in learning and living Torah. How many would fall away because they have sold the wages or reward to get people to join. They have sold salvation and forgiveness of sin, and mansions in heaven and future rewards as the enticement to bring hired servants to the house of Elohim. But even these hired servants have more than one without anything. The bread enough to spare is the word fo Elohim. Even the word they have if doing it for gain is food for them and better than having nothing. Because the word of Elohim is a treasure and food for the hungry. So he proclaims he will arise. This word is the same word used about Messiah being ressurected it the Greek word anistaymee G450 translated here as shall rise again
Mat 20:19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
This same word is used in this verse about rising up in judgment and was the result of the hearing of the gospel which is specifially repent for the kingdom is near. Though there are many misconceptions of what the gospel is there is one real definition of what it is:
Mar 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
This is the same gospel that Yochannan or John the baptist was preaching:
Mat 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
Mat 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
I preface this point with this definition so you can see what is really being said and happening with Nineveh. The men shall rise up or be ressurected or born again through repentance or receiving of the gospel.
Mat 12:41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Yonah; and, behold, a greater than Yonah is here.
So in the above story of the prodigal son he confesses his sin and rises up this is likened to Efrayim receiving the gospel and repenting and being born again. He says he will return to his Father and there again he will confess his sins. Many in Christianity think that just because they said sorry they will show up to the Father and things will be OK. But we learn in this pattern that just because we recognize our sin and repent we will still be judged int he future. So as Yochanan said to the pharisees go and bring back fruits of repentance. It wasn't good enough to just show up saying they were sorry. Like the prodigal son sitting in the pig pen saying sorry and then not getting up and returning to his Father. This is like those who think in the scriptures they have eternal life but they arenot living the scriptures. They read them and have them but don't bear the fruit of repentance so they are cas downas a tree not bearing fruit. We must get up and return to the father. This walk home is learning the Torah and living by it. It is the way back and when we keep Torah we are walking back like AEfrayim remembering the Torah is remembering the way home. There is no other home and no other way than Torah. This is why Messiah is called the way and it also says none come to th Father but through him.
Next he admits in the pig pen he is not worthy to be called a son. Beacause if as Messiah said you were Avraham's son's you would have Avraham's works. The tree is known by it's fruit so He recognizes he does not have the right works to be called a son. He then hopes to maybe even be a hired servant. But what wages does he hope for. Mercy I think. To just be in the presence of his Father again. To draw near in any way. This is beginning. Next it says he arose. Now this is a big deal because this is where many are lost. They found the information, realized they were not doing well without Elohim and promised to do right, then sat there in the pigpen and went back to having nothing. Maybe they will sit and wait to be raptured out of the pigpen or wait for the father to come get them out. Will they lie and say they are full and they are not. Will they disciple the pigs and create a pig ministry so that they can dole out the food to the pigs. Will they feed the pigs when they themselves are starving. This is where many Christian and Messianic ministries are in my opinion. They imagine they are more than hungry, and naked, and filthy. They starve while preteding to be the keeper of the food to others that are as filthy as them. The point is he arose and left the pigpen. many Messianic people just put on a kippah and keep practising Chrisitanity with their new found understaning that they are renewed because they came to themselves. But Torah does cause you to come to yourself to see how wicked you are and to motivate you to change.
Luk 15:20 And he arose, and came to his Father. But when he was yet a great way off, his Father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
This is also an interesting insert, it pictures the mercy of our Father who once we did all we can, the shema ( love YHWH with all your heart, soul, and strength, even if this is not good enough He will then make up the difference to those who do their best.
Luk 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight, and am no more worthy to be called your son.
Notice the son confesses again before the Father. He doesn't say well I already confessed so where is my reward. He like Ya'akov knowing his sin and repenting before meeting Esau and already having set apart the price of his sin and offering still bowed before his feet and asked for forgiveness and grace. We see the same thing here. He didn't say I walked along way back look at my work I hve done to deserve my reward. This is where people get confused by the verses about not by works lest men should boast. You certainly can't boast if your wicked. so to fulfill the commandment should we seek to be wicked. of course not, we should not boast but should have the righteousness so that the one we have wronged can see the fruit. Should a tree that can bear fruit not bear fruit lest it might boast or would it be cast down because it should have bore fruit. The fruit is required so since all you are doing is what is required of you where should you boast. This is the heart of the matter.
Luk 17:7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
Luk 17:8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird yourself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward you shall eat and drink?
Luk 17:9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.
Luk 17:10 So likewise you, when you shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
So as we see here the son doesn't preclaim his forgiveness or position which he no longer has, but he must walk back having the fruit of repentance but then let the Father decide if he is allowed back, punished or rewarded and this is exactly what he does.
Luk 15:22 But the Father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
we see it here in the beginning of the sentence. He says he's not worthy, and the it says BUT the father said bring forth the best robe. So he came back humble leaving the judgment up to the judge who he wronged and then was given not took the reward. See the same people who tell you not lest anyone should boast based on works, boast themselves of already possesing salvation and reward. Through their little prayer in one work sitting in the pigpen they have boasted in their reward, they show up to claim their robe not to ask for forgiveness.
So let's look at the robe, the best robe is what? the robe represents righteousness and the best robe is the robe of the high priest. This shows us that to be covered by the high preist is the best clothing you can have. He did his part and was then covered by the high priest and by the sacrifice of Yahushua. He stood naked or unrighteous before his Father and was clothed. This pattern follows all through the scripture and the pharisees who thought they were doing Elohim's ministry, and thought they were righteous and right, wouldn't humble themselves knowing they were naked and ashamed.
Heb 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of Elohim;
Rev 3:15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot: I would you were cold or hot.
Rev 3:16 So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue you out of my mouth.
Rev 3:17 Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev 3:18 I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eyesalve, that you may see.
Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
The ring may be symbolic of either the house of the Father as a signet, or could be likened to a wedding ring, and the shoes are a covering and seperation from the earth. Shoes are an interesting thing in the scripture be it is what keeps us from the earth. Shoes are mercy to the feet an the Torah is mercy from the evils and filthyness of the world. It is also a covering of the things we do in the flesh as a model of the earthly ten commandments or toes. Ultimatley his body , hands and feet were arrayed and changed. This is the model of the two witnesses of the the ten commandments, the hands and feet and the whole body being righteous.
Luk 15:23 And bring here the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
Here we see and interesting thing also the sacrifice or death of a fatted calf. When we compare what the older son who may be a model of Yahudah says we see a difference in the story
Luk 15:29 And he answering said to his Father, Lo, these many years do I serve you, neither transgressed I at any time your commandment: and yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
Notice he asks for a kid which is a goat, so maybe this helps us identify the two sons, one is a calf or bullock and one is a goat.
Jer 31:18 I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God.
Zec 10:3 Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.
So we see also that the kid is used for the sin offering and attonement like the scapegoat. And our sin offering comes from the goats also being from Yahudah.
Luk 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
His son was dead and lost, death is the wages of sin and when he became Loammi not my people and forgot the Torah his inheritance he was like the idols of the other nations a dead thing and he was lost because that is not wherehe belonged. Ia lso think it's interesting that the regathering is noted by a time of oy and celebration which would fit exactly into Sukkot the final ingathering. You can estimate this may be the time of the reuniting of Yahudah and Efrayim.
Luk 15:25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
Luk 15:26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
Luk 15:27 And he said unto him, Your brother is come; and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.
This also makes me see the death of the fatted calf as sinful Efrayim who is like a dumb beast is no more a dumb beast but a whole and healed man again.
Luk 15:28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his Father out, and intreated him.
Luk 15:29 And he answering said to his Father, Lo, these many years do I serve you, neither transgressed I at any time your commandment: and yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
Here we see that Yahudah is jealous and still didn't recognize their own sin for which they needed the kid to be slain. They also admit they haven't received the kid or sin offering. Messiah. They hadn't at this point recognized that their Father had already given them a kid but the didn't see him and in the same way they said they never sinned and so if they could not see the sin offering that was sent to them and they didn't admit their sin, then their sin remains with them but the Father's response was that He was always with them.
Luk 15:30 But as soon as this your son was come, which has devoured your living with harlots, you have killed for him the fatted calf.
Luk 15:31 And he said unto him, Son, you are ever with me, and all that I have is yours.
Luk 15:32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this your brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
This last portion not only talks about Efrayim but also about the return of Yahushua their brother who was dead and then raised again and that was lost likeYosef and then revealed and found fo them. This awkwardness I think is alot like when Yosef said "I am Yosef" Though it may seem like a time to make joy, it was really a time shock. So what do we see in this great parable of the son who is returning? Let's take it back to the study titles. Efrayim as a child dwelt with his father, then went away and was betrothed which means he had a set and appointed time to return to His house. The house of his Father. Prepare your children for this by teaching them the Torah, this is knowing who's house they live in and how to return to it if you get lost. The whole story of Efrayim encompasses the story of man. They went astray and have to find their way home. This is a process and they through just this parable can learn about how that process should go. Confessing and repenting and walking back returning to the way home the Torah. Then coming humbly and again confessing before the Father and receiving whatever the Father will give you. Putting to death the dumb beast you used to be and acting again like a son by having the works of your Father. Not being jealous to see your brothers being righteous and rewarded like cain and Hevel or Abel. But examining your own offering. This message should cause us to know the path of peace and whether you are a son thinking of leaving your Father's house, lost realizing your life is vain, a son thinking of coming back, on the path to learning the way, or one who thinks your already there when your not and being blind to your own sin. There is a message for everyone in the parable of the prodigal son. The return of the son is what the Bible is all about. Prepare your children because someday they may go astray and it's the foundation of Torah that you teach them now that will guide them back home when they are lost.
Luk 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
Luk 15:5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
Luk 15:6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
Luk 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
May we return to our Father's house so he may Rejoice in the return of His son. Shalom
A disciple should diligently search for the truth and humbly deny and reconsider it's possession.
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