Well I haven’t got to the Prodigal Son story in the New Testament yet, but today’s Old Testament reading talks all about what to do with disobedient sons – take them to court, denounce them, then get into a posse and stone him to death outside the city walls.

Thank you God that I was born in the NT. Thank Jesus that I am washed clean of all my youthful disobedience, in God’s eyes at least (my dad will never get rid of the grey hairs I caused him) Thank God that I can ask for forgiveness for my sins as soon as I repent.

These verses also have “various laws” which include strange and inexplicable things like “Do not wear cloth made by weaving linen and wool together”. It also advocates kindness to fellow Israelites and gives rules for sexual purity and instructions on how to keep a military camp clean.

Dear Father God, Thank you that you are my father and that you love me and were happy when I came back to you, rather than judging my under the rules of your old testament. Please help me to be what you want me to be. Please help me to teach my children your ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen.