What are parables? They are the pictures that paint a thousand words that are apt for application in many areas of life: emotional and spiritual as well as physical or social. These are closely related to proverbs, which were also known as “dark sayings” because our understanding is often dark and un-illuminated when reading them without further study or first-hand application and reflection of the Word. We are to understand these patterns of understanding holistically within context, or as a whole person, as it says in Deuteronomy 6 and the gospels.
The seven churches as the seven women of Isaiah 4:
The women are those who seem to desire covenant relationship with our bridegroom…but want to keep their own food (doctrine) and clothing (culture of unrighteousness). But they still want the label of “Christian” so they have respect and influence in the world.
Credit goes to the late Chuck Missler for this insight!
The parable of the lost son (or the prodigal son):
It can be speculated that the elder son might stand for what are now known as observant and believing Jews. And, as the loyal son, they didn’t realize they had their Father’s inheritance and could have enjoyed it the whole time but didn’t. The once disloyal but returning younger son could then be those who make YHWH their Elohim and His Word their salvation, both gentiles and exiled Israelites alike. When the older son sees the younger son enjoying their newly restored inheritance, they hate their younger brother, not because they didn’t have it but because they couldn’t bring themselves not to treat it as a mound of treasure that they have to guard, but not use or enjoy. Of course, this doesn’t mean every believing Jew exemplifies the older son – no more so than the modern Christian or follower of the Way exemplifies the younger son. Labels mean nothing. Actions show what you are and where you’re going. As the late Chuck Missler has quoted:
Truth is when word and deed come together as one.
The parable of the laborers in the vineyard:
The early workers cared more about what they would get compared to others versus the importance of what was given – something they didn’t deserve anyway! Even for them, it was a generosity to receive these wages. Appearance before others came before gratitude of what was received.
Additionally, those who put themselves first will realize that they are put last. Let YHWH put you where you should be! And humbly accept a lower or higher position knowing it is temporary and that others may be put over or under us later that we may not have treated well, perhaps because of their position and we showed partiality.
Understanding the divine nature of Yeshua haMashiach:
The deity of Yeshua, or as some translations refer to as “godhead”, is characterized as being the Word of YHWH. He is not a completely separate Elohim, but a coming from and created by YHWH as words are for us. Our words are both us and not exactly the same as who we entirely are, demonstrating all aspects of us at the same time. We came before our words. But our words exemplify us and originate with us. They are not associated with someone completely different. And this is especially true of our perfect and holy Creator than for us, since we sometimes speak inauthentically to our own character (such as lying or not knowing our own mind and heart).
For those who say that they honor, respect, and love YHWH but not His Son, is like saying “I respect you but not your words.” Or vice versa, if someone says that they honor, respect, and love Yeshua, but not the one that issued those words doesn’t make any sense at all and probably means His words are being taken out of context, making them say whatever someone would want them to.
