Pictures from the Prodigal: The Pharisee's Pride (3)

Pride’s Partners

Usually when pride is present, it is usually not alone. It has certain partners in crime which help to further its feelings within the heart of an individual. These partners are present in the eldest brother’s speech.

Anger. “And he was angry…” (v. 28). When one things of anger, that one may focus on the idea of this EXPLOSION of anger which is often violent but this was not the case. The word the Bible uses to portray that is idea is the word “wrath.” This was a simmering, boiling anger. This type of anger is quiet and often seeks revenge against the one whom a person is angry. This was the first reaction which the eldest brother had toward the prodigal.

Bitterness. Have you ever met a person who, no matter what was happening, was always unhappy. The eldest son saw everyone taking part in the festivities but would not enter in. Instead, he chose to stand on the sidelines and sulk.

Jealousy. It seems the eldest brother was possessed with the famous “green-eyed monster.” He was jealous of the youngest son’s reception. “I’ve been with you all this time but look at how you treat him!”

Selfishness. “…never gave me a kid…” but you did “…for him!” This individual was no different from his youngest brother. The youngest said, “Give me…” but the eldest said, “You never gave me…”

Contempt. He refers to his brother as “…this THY son…”. He refused to call the prodigal “my brother” but rather saw him as “thy son.” He had a blatant disrespect for his returning brother.

Strife. He said the youngest son “…devoured thy living with harlots.” Wait a moment. The parable speaks of the youngest son spending all that he had on “riotous living.” Riotous living can occur a number of ways. At what point does the narrative speak of this being spent on harlots/prostitutes. It is possible that the prodigal did spend much of his money that way but how would his oldest brother know about it? The only information that he was given by the servant was that the youngest son had returned and there was merrymaking occurring because of that. This eldest brother seems to be trying to drive a wedge between the father and his newly returned son.

These are the partners to pride.