Prodigals, Hear the Shofar—It's Time to Come Home

Prodigals, Hear the Shofar—It’s Time to Come Home

I looked and saw the Lord blowing a shofar. I was puzzled because, although I understand there are many uses for the shofar, in my experience, the shofar is used mainly during worship. I asked the Lord what He was calling attention to as He was the one blowing it.

I heard the Lord say, “I am calling the prodigals. Many have been wandering and are having trouble finding their way back home. I sound the shofar so that they can find their way. The shofar is awakening memories that Satan has concealed of my goodness. It is time for them to awaken and come home.”

I am reminded of the old cowbell that parents would use to call their children home before we had cell phones. You’d hear that bell, and it was time to come home.

From a biblical standpoint, I immediately see the Father on the lookout for his son.

“With everything spent and nothing left, he grew hungry, because there was a severe famine in that land. So he begged a farmer in that country to hire him. The farmer hired him and sent him out to feed the pigs. The son was so famished, he was willing even to eat the slop given to the pigs, because no one would feed him a thing.

Humiliated, the son finally realized what he was doing, and he thought, “There are many workers at my father’s house who have all the food they want with plenty to spare. They lack nothing. Why am I here dying of hunger, feeding these pigs, and eating their slop?” I want to go back home to my father’s house, and I’ll say to him, “Father, I was wrong. I have sinned against you. I’ll never again be worthy to be called your son. Please, Father, just treat me like one of your employees.

So the young son set off for home. From a long distance away, his father saw him coming, dressed as a beggar, and great compassion swelled up in his heart for his son who was returning home. The father raced out to meet him, swept him up in his arms, hugged him dearly, and kissed him over and over with tender love.

Then the son said,” Father, I was wrong. I have sinned against you. I could never deserve to be called your son. Just let me be.”

The father interrupted and said, “Son, you’re home now” (Luke 15:11-21, TPT).

Over the years, many have developed a suspicious mindset about the prodigals. We want them to prove the change, walk the walk and talk the talk. I find it interesting that in the parable, the father welcomed the son with open arms and immediately began to celebrate. There was no testing period, just the acceptance that he had returned.

Why did Jesus tell the parable? I suspect there were many reasons, but when it comes to the Father:

— The revelation of the Father’s heart (God’s heart) for wayward children.

— To help us catch a vision for the return of the wanderers.

— To remind us that the return of one is a reason to celebrate.

— That we need the wisdom and revelation of the Father to welcome the son/daughter home.

— To remember that no one can wander so far away that they cannot come back.

As we look at the one who wandered away:

— The Father always leaves the light on so we can find our way back.

— The wanderer comes back dirty, but the Father offers safety, cleansing and family.

— Once we have been a son/daughter, we can never step into the role of a servant.

I see and hear the Lord blowing the shofar. It is time for the prodigals to come home. Since it is time for the prodigals to come home, it also means it is also time for the spiritual parents to get ready. How are you going to welcome the wanderers home? {eoa}

Ruth Hendrickson is an ordained pastor, itinerant speaker, ministry trainer and board-certified biblical counselor who has extensive experience in the development, training and oversight of emotional healing ministry teams, recovery ministries, prophetic ministry, prayer ministries and women’s ministry. In addition, she is a course facilitator for Patricia King Institute and Charisma courses. She writes for Elijah List and Charisma and has a podcast titled Real Truth with Ruth. Through biblically based teachings and practical applications infused with love and laughter, her goal is to introduce people not only to the living God who saves but also to the God who desires an intimate relationship with each one of us. Her latest book, Everyday Prophetic, will help you find the prophetic voice that God has given you. Visit her at her website at ruthhendrickson.org or find her on Facebook or YouTube, and listen to her podcast Real Truth with Ruth.