The Prodigal's Restlessness and Rebellion, v11-13.

THE SON'S DISCONTENTMENT continued:

3. The discontentment stemmed from his desire for that which was not to be found in his father's house. That which took man out of Paradise takes the sinner away from God and His house and His word. His lust, his sinful appetites. Natural man would live far from God. The further the better. When we see men turn their backs upon God and His house it bodes ill and shows they are controlled by sin.

II. THE SON'S DEMAND

1. He calls him father but does not act as a son. A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? Malachi 1:6. He is seeking to be free of his father's rule and company. He sees no good nor any hope of good in his father's household.

He thought that he could manage his affairs better than his father. He felt more wise than his father.

2. His desire is born of his carnal nature. Sinners would part with Heaven in order to gain the world and gratify their sinful lusts. "Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you," John 6:26-27.

3. His demand testifies to his blindness. "Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider," Isa 1:2-3.

Poor foolish boy, he did not know the value of that which he cast away nor did he realise the danger he embraced. This spirit of resistance to the blessings of the gospel is what made Christ weep over Jerusalem. "And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes," Luke 19:41-42. "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" Matthew 23:37.