Topical Bible: Servant: Hired: The Father of the Prodigal Son

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In the parable of the Prodigal Son, found in Luke 15:11-32, Jesus presents a profound narrative that illustrates themes of repentance, forgiveness, and the boundless love of a father. Within this parable, the role of hired servants is briefly mentioned, providing insight into the social and economic structures of the time, as well as the character of the father.

The parable begins with a younger son demanding his share of the inheritance from his father, which he subsequently squanders in a distant country. After spending everything, a severe famine strikes, and the son finds himself in dire need. In his desperation, he hires himself out to a citizen of that country, who sends him to feed pigs. This lowly position highlights the son's fall from grace and the depth of his destitution.

Reflecting on his plight, the son recalls his father's hired servants, who have "more than enough bread" (Luke 15:17). This memory becomes a turning point, as he recognizes that even the hired servants in his father's house are better off than he is. The mention of these servants underscores the father's generosity and the well-ordered nature of his household. The father is portrayed as a man who not only provides for his family but also ensures that his hired workers are well cared for, reflecting a sense of justice and compassion.

Upon the son's return, the father’s reaction is one of overwhelming grace and forgiveness. He runs to meet his son, embraces him, and orders the best robe, a ring, and sandals to be brought for him. He also commands the fattened calf to be killed for a celebratory feast. The father's actions demonstrate a stark contrast to the son's expectations of being treated as a mere hired servant. Instead, the father restores him to the status of a beloved son, illustrating the depth of his love and mercy.

The role of the hired servants in this parable, though minor, serves to highlight the father's character. They are a testament to his fair and generous treatment of those in his employ, which stands in contrast to the harsh conditions the son faced in the foreign land. The father's household is depicted as a place of abundance and care, where even the lowest workers are treated with dignity.

In the broader context of the parable, the hired servants symbolize the potential for redemption and restoration. The father's willingness to welcome his wayward son back into the family fold, rather than relegating him to the status of a servant, mirrors the divine grace extended to repentant sinners. The parable thus serves as a powerful reminder of God's readiness to forgive and restore those who return to Him with a contrite heart.

The narrative of the Prodigal Son, with its mention of hired servants, offers a rich tapestry of theological insights. It underscores the themes of repentance, forgiveness, and the transformative power of a father's love, inviting believers to reflect on their own relationship with God and the boundless mercy available to all who seek it.

Nave's Topical Index

Luke 15:17,19
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Prodigal Son, and Other Stories.
... and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy
hired servants. ... 'But the father said to ... THE STORY OF THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT. ...
/.../anonymous/the good shepherd/chapter x the prodigal son.htm

The Prodigal Son.
... omitting the portion about being content with the position of a hired servant. Bengel
suggests that the father may have cut the prodigal's speech short by ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/xxiv the prodigal son.htm

The Prodigal and his Father
... as much to eat as one of the hired servants, whose ... son, and could not ask to be taken
as a servant. Beautifully, too, the father gives no verbal answer to the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the prodigal and his father.htm

Number one Thousand; Or, "Bread Enough and to Spare"
... we cannot find the exact counterpart of the "hired servants." I ... to have meant this,
that the very lowest menial servant employed by his father had bread to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/number one thousand or bread.htm

By what Steps we Can Ascend to the Heights of Love and what ...
... that prodigal who together with his father's substance had ... he had already been made
a servant, desires the ... remuneration, and says: "How many hired servants of ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter vii by what steps.htm

The Prodigal and his Brother.
... son, make me as one of thy hired servants." Any ... in love, entering heartily into his
father's meaning. A servant obeys mechanically, rising early because he must ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/xx the prodigal and his.htm

The Prodigal's Return
... I will say, Make me as one of thy hired servants.'" "Oh ... but thou shalt know him yet
to be thy Father and thy ... you the man who labels himself as a servant of hell ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the prodigals return.htm

B. The Second Stages. Chs. 13:22 to 17:10
... yet there is room.23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out ... be called thy son:
make me as one of thy hired servants.20 ... "He arose, and came to his father.". ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/b the second stages chs.htm

The Lesson Stories of Jesus.
... thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants ... home heard music and dancing, and called
to a servant to ask ... might make merry with my friends." But the father said ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxx the lesson stories.htm

Repentance,
... his subterfuges and excuses, and went to his father honestly, and ... thy son: make me
as one of thy hired servants""put ... Lord, here I am, to be a servant, to be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter i repentance.htm