13And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.
Luke 15:13-14 NKJV
So the Prodigal settled in his idea of paradise and quickly began meeting new friends. Of course, there was a newbie in town and they wanted to enjoy what he had to offer them One can imagine the boozy evenings in the sleazy bars of ancient Palestine. Hot evenings, no lack of young ladies who wanted to ply their trade with this new chap.
It is not known how long the Prodigal was in Palestine before the money ran out but, many believe that it wasn't all that long, probably a few weeks or a month tops' It was only a short time and shows his bad stewardship in spending his money so unwisely. When he arrived he had thought it was paradise but now, it was more like hell itself. Everyone pushing people around as they tried to get food because of the famine. It was every man for himself.
His friends had left him after enjoying the money he spent on them. How much they had loved him when he was spending his money but, it was different now, they had gone on to the next newbie. When people are down on their luck they can become do desperate that they will do anything to be able to survive and fit in. The Prodigal hired himself out to someone who was rich and successful. He was probably a gentile. He had the Prodigal doing looking after his pigs. Now, to a Jew, this was very bad but, 'must needs'. He was so low that he would settle for anything. He was so hungry that even the pig slop seemed like 10oz steak.
He knew that he had blown it, lack of sleep told him this and the burning hunger within. He decided that he would take the chance of going home to his father and ask if he could have a job in exchange for food and a bed. He set off in hope that all would go well. This would not be an easy task. Friends and neighbours would know that he had failed and come running back to His father.
However, he need not have worried, his father had been looking for him since he left. He probably hadn't have been standing there looking for him all the time but, every time he went outside he would have scanned the horizon looking for signs of his return. When he did see him, he raced off and hugged his son. The son's rehearsed statement of repentance had been wasted, the father didn't need it, he was so grateful to have him back. There would be someone who was not so pleased to welcome him him though.
If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:
'Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.
In Jesus' Name. Amen'
Copyright 2026 Grahame Howard.
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk
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