The prodigal son

14/03/03

I am sure we all are familiar with Yeshua’s story of the prodigal son as recorded in Luke 15:11-32. If you will bear with me, I would like to relate this story somewhat differently.

Once upon a time there was a God-fearing man named Ya’acov, who had two wives and twelve sons. One day the two firstborn, Yehuda, the eldest of the unloved wife Leah, and Yoseph-Ephraim, although younger also a firstborn, of the beloved wife Rachel, came to their father and asked for their portions of the birthright. Ya’acov was a little reluctant to grant them their respective portions at that point, as they both were still quite immature and neither had really proven himself worthy of the honor, but because he loved them he eventually gave in to their wishes. Yoseph-Ephraim, however, was not happy with the arrangement and became jealous of Yehuda who, because of seniority, had leadership and more power and prestige in the family. Little by little Yoseph-Ephraim’s jealousy led to an open rebellion against the ways of his father’s house. He started to live only for himself, and desired the customs of the foreigners. His waywardness ultimately drove him further and further from the righteous ways of his father’s God and his family.

Yoseph-Ephraim decided to sell off all that he had, pack his bags and leave home for bigger and better things. Having received a goodly sum of money from his portion of the inheritance, he had the means to live it up, but after a few years of moving from place to place his life began to go downhill. He had to work to earn a living, and the pay he was offered was very scanty. Additionally, his addictions to alcohol, drugs, and sex had drained him of his youthful strength and resources. Finally things got so bad that a pig farmer took pity on him, and had him feed his herd. One day, while wallowing in the sty, he thought to himself that the pigs’ food was a delicacy compared to the leftovers he had been getting.

Yoseph-Ephraim had completely lost his perspective on life. After so many years he could hardly remember who he was and where he had come from. But when things really hit rock bottom, he suddenly had a dim recollection of his previous identity. It dawned on him that his father’s servants’ lot was much better than his present circumstances. He knew he was not worthy of being reinstated as a son in his family, but he was determined to ask his father’s forgiveness and see if he could work as a servant.

The journey back home was not an easy one, as he had to travel the same way that he came. He now had to face all the previous temptations, and turn away from the way of life that he had been accustomed to. Yoseph-Ephraim was a broken man, who was humbled through life circumstances; there was no other way for him, but to repent and return as a servant to his father’s house! Yoseph-Ephraim did not know of course whether his father was still alive, or whether he would even allow him to come anywhere near his property. However, nothing seemed to matter to him, except this faint glimmer of hope that he might be able to live under his father’s care once more.

The surroundings began to look more and more familiar to the returnee, as he drew closer and closer to home. Finally the house was in view, but his strength was almost completely drained. Weak-kneed, thirsty and hungry he staggered down the road. Suddenly, as if out of nowhere, his father was embracing him, with tears rolling down his face he was sobbing, whispering in his ears, “my son, my son, my son”. Yoseph Ephraim’s emaciated body was now under-girded by his father’s love. Two of Ya’acov’s servants lifted him and carried him back to the house. All the way down the road Yoseph-Ephraim could hear his father singing, “Ephraim, Ephraim my dear son, you were lost and now are found, you were dead but now you are alive, Oh Yoseph-Ephraim, my beloved.”

Ya’acov ordered his servants to prepare the best of all his calves for a festive celebration. Some went out to buy the most expensive and ornate of all garments for Yoseph-Ephraim. However, when Ya’acov put a very costly gold ring on his son’s finger, Yehuda could contain his anger no longer and lashed out at his father: “How can you do this? Yoseph-Ephraim is just as worthless as he was when he left. I have served you all these years, being faithful in all the duties of your household and you never once gave me such a party, let alone a gold ring! I bore your name and fought your battles against our enemies. I was even taken captive, tortured and almost killed! But what did I get out of it, but these scars and bitter wounds while this brother of mine squandered your wealth and was living it up with prostitutes and sinners!” Ya’acov tried to console Yehuda, reminding him that all that he had was his, and that Yoseph-Ephraim, who was buried in the tomb of humiliation, had risen from that grave of disgrace and had returned home. But because of what seemed to him so totally unjust, Yehuda could not accept or comprehend his father’s merciful ways and refused to come to the celebration.

Yoseph-Ephraim found it very difficult living under the shadow of his father’s comforting love and unconditional favor, while his brother’s envy and jealousy raged about him. Every day the burden to love his brother as his father loved him pressed on his heart like a giant rock. He thought that giving his brother gifts and displaying willingness to serve him would break through these barriers, but nothing was good enough.

What would it take to bring the two of them back together again as one in the family of Ya’acov? One day Yoseph-Ephraim remembered something that his father had taught them while they were still very young: “No greater love has a man than to give up his life for his brother.” He knew that this was the answer to the problem, but how does one give up his life for one’s brother? Can it be done, and if so how??? Perhaps the answer lies in the mighty right-hand of YHVH, Elohey Israel…
14/03/03