Schooling God

God needs your input. He/She/It resonates on all levels, but oscillates (vibrates) at a frequency of amplitude. (the squeaky wheel gets the oil) Let me explain.

In the 15th chapter of Luke, verse 1, Jesus is approached by "publicans (tax collectors) and sinners" who wished to hear him speak. There were also scribes and Pharisees there as well, who commented that "this man (Jesus) receiveth sinners, and eateth with them." Jesus then shares three stories, the last one being the Prodigal Son. All three revolve around redemption.

The overriding point of the three stories is that those who already believe and follow spiritual guidelines (pharisees and scribes) should rejoice that those who have been lost are now found. (the publicans and sinners) The way the story unfolds is the younger brother asks for his inheritance early and  proceeds to squander it in the most unseemly fashion. ("riotous living") The younger brother hits rock bottom and decides to return home because even his father's servants "have bread enough, and to spare, and I perish with hunger." The father (God) sees him coming, runs out to meet him, "and fell on his neck, and kissed him." The younger son then makes an honest and full confession of his misdeeds ("Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son). The upshot is, the father directs the servants to "bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry."

When the elder son returned from the fields, he heard music and dancing and asked a servant what was going on. Informed that his brother had returned and his father had killed a fatted calf in celebration of his homecoming, the older brother is "angry" and refuses to enter the house. Significantly, the father comes out to talk to his older son, "and entreated him." (entreat; to ask earnestly, beg, beseech, implore) The older son then responds with his grievances: "Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time your commandment: yet thou never gavest me a kid, (goat) that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf." The father then tries to placate the elder son with, "thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine." He ends by saying that "this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found." The story ends and we are left to our own devices to decide how the situation is resolved.

Many Christian apologetics make much of the older brother's resentment and bitter heart. Nonsense! If ever there was a place for resentment, this is the place. His anger was justified. And I think this is demonstrated by the father coming out to "entreat" him. I think it dawned on him (the father) that he hadn't fully appreciated his oldest sons efforts. Why hadn't he ever offered a goat to his son so he could enjoy a demonstration of his father's favor, let alone a fatted calf? In strictly human terms, try treating a self-actualized partner that way and see how long they stick around. Taking another for granted over a long period of time is a sure fire way of ending a relationship. No, the truth is, the father screwed up royally. When he heard the elder son's complaints, he could have acknowledge them there and then. He could have said, you are right, I have been amiss. Give me a chance to set things right. But for now, let us come together. Please, enhance your father's joy by joining us.

I am sure, to some, it seems blasphemous to "correct" God. Still, there is biblical basis. After reading the first 13 verses of Exodus, chapter 32, tell me Moses didn't "school" God. Verse 14 says; "And the Lord REPENTED of the EVIL which he thought to do unto his people." As I have said a number of times, I am not a Bible literalist, but believe the Bible is "wonderfully instructive." If there is to be a relationship with God, how can it be a one-way street? If we are to be co-creators, how is it that our voice cannot be heard? If we are valued, would not our opinion be valued as well? It is here, in the crucible of being heard (vibrational rate) the amplitude is established at a frequency where we resonate with God. Another term for this would be "praying." But do not come as a beggar before a king, but as a son before a loving father. And tell your father you aren't interested in your inheritance as much as you are in honoring and celebrating him now, before his metaphorical passing. To do so though, entails validation of loyalty to the degree, at least, as being lost. Call the servants. Send out runners to the neighbors...a second calf is about to be placed on the spit!