09/09/2024
THE PRODIGAL SON: His Own Side of The Story
PART ONE: The Demand for the Inheritance
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In the days of our fathers, the structure of the family was sacred and deeply rooted in tradition. Sons, particularly the eldest, were expected to follow in their father's footsteps, taking care of the family estate and ensuring the continuity of the household. The inheritance, which would normally be divided upon the fatherâs death, was a measure of security for the family, not just a means for personal gain.
In our tradition, inheritance is something one should receive only upon the fatherâs passing, but I could not wait. I felt as though I deserved the freedom to use what was rightfully mine and live life by my own rules. I approached my father, and with great confidence, I asked for my share of the inheritance.
It was not entirely uncommon for a father to divide his inheritance before his death, though it was certainly unorthodox, especially for the younger son to request it. In our Jewish tradition, the law stated that the eldest son received a double portion of the inheritance, meaning I would only receive a third of the estate, as per Deuteronomy 21:17. But even that one-third represented a significant portion of wealth, enough to sustain a life of luxury if handled wisely.
I was young, ambitious, and filled with dreams that extended far beyond the walls of my father's estate. My mind was full of wonder, my heart restless. Why should I remain here, working day after day, when I knew the world outside held so much more for me? I looked at my father and saw a man who had wealth and success, yet it seemed distant to meâa future too far away. I wanted my share, not out of disrespect but out of a desire to carve my own path.
I yearned for more than the fields and the life of a landowner. My thoughts were filled with the stories Iâd heard from travelers who spoke of bustling cities, far-off lands, and the pleasures and opportunities that lay beyond the horizon. These thoughts consumed me to the point where I could no longer bear the routine of life under my father's roof.
I approached my father, not without hesitation, but with a firm conviction that I deserved the chance to live on my own terms. âFather,â I said, âgive me the share of the estate that belongs to me.â In this culture, such a request could be seen as a deep insult, almost as if I were wishing my father dead. Yet, my father did not chastise me. Instead, he looked at me with sorrow in his eyes, perhaps foreseeing the path I was choosing, but he agreed nonetheless. He divided his property between me and my elder brother, giving me the freedom I so desperately sought.
Many in my village would call my actions audacious, even selfish. But in my heart, I truly believed that this wealth would allow me to experience life to its fullest. My intention was not to dishonor my father but to embrace my independence, to grow through my adventures. I desired to escape the familiar and explore the unknown, trusting that I had all I needed for success.
When my father agreed to give me my portion, I was relieved and filled with excitement. I set off with confidence, assured that I had made the right decision. I believed that by stepping out, I would find happiness, meaning, and a life worthy of the wealth I had inherited.
I justified my actions to myself, thinking that the inheritance was mine by right and that I had the ability to build a life that would make my father proud. I saw it not as selfishness, but as an opportunity to prove myself in the world. The restrictions of home, the responsibilities of familyâthey felt like chains to me. I wanted to break free, to explore, and to live a life full of excitement and possibility.
And so, I gathered all I hadâriches, clothes, and a heart full of dreamsâand left my fatherâs house, heading toward a distant country where no one knew my name and where I could write my own story.
To be continued...
(C) Sunday Elesi, 2024.