Quote:
Originally Posted by Socialite
MB, thank you, that's what I was saying. Even then, it was a tad speculative on my part, but it's how I see the story unfolding. And it's me that I see in that story. But I think of the audience Jesus had -- sinners and Pharisees. I can't help but think that each of them played a part in the story... and through their characters, Jesus was again proclaiming the Kingdom of God, and describing what it's like.
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I think "scheming" is a stretch for the passage. It implies a very, perverse and negative connotation, IMO. Anyway, that is how I view the term.
Yes, he rehearsed what he was going to say, but you give the impression by saying,
"I actually believe the younger son was scheming when he came back, knowing he could get "better stuff" and this is the climax of the Story.", as though he had no remorse for what he had done and had plans to waltz back into the good graces of his home because, after all, it's better than a pig pen.
I see him preparing a speech whilst wrestling with the issue of how he would obtain the "trust" he felt he had lost between himself and his father. He had to, somehow, find a way to prove to his father that he was truly mindful of what he had done - fully realized it and wanted to never go that route again.
His father did receive him before his "speech", but he still felt compelled to show his remorse. His father must know it! That doesn't seem like "scheming" as I took your post.
I rather view it as trying to obtain "trust" that was lost. How did his father know he wouldn't do it again?
By him saying, "Father,
I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son", he is pointing out that he is fully aware that he has, first of all, sinned against God and broken commandment/covenant/rules [
] -
Exodus 20:12 "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."
And by this, he allows that he is not worthy to be called his son. He understands that what he has done can only be undone IF his father truly and, implicitly, understands he meant what he said from his heart.
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