With Eyes Wide Open - "The Ring" - Bethel Church Online

Bethel church Online – “The Ring” – Luke 15:20-23 – 5-12-2024

Luke 15:20-23 (NLT) 20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ 22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

Genesis 41:42 (NLT) 42 Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and placed it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in fine linen clothing and hung a gold chain around his neck.things or people in a circular shape or arrangement:

internet Ring: a small circular band, typically of precious metal and often set with one or more gemstones, worn on a finger as an ornament or a token of marriage, engagement, or authority.

Biblical: Ring: A circle, or a circular line, or any thing in the form of a circular line or hoop. Thus we say of men, they formed themselves into a ring, to see a wrestling match. Rings of gold were made for the ark. Ex. 25. Rings of gold or other material are worn on the fingers and sometimes in the ears, as ornaments.

Easton's
Ring
Used as an ornament to decorate the fingers, arms, wrists, and also the ears and the nose. Rings were used as a signet ( Genesis 38:18 ). They were given as a token of investment with authority ( Genesis 41:42 ; Esther 3:8-10 ; 8:2 ), and of favour and dignity ( Luke 15:22 ). They were generally worn by rich men ( James 2:2 ). They are mentioned by Isiah ( 3:21 ) among the adornments of Hebrew women.

smiths
Ring.
The ring was regarded as an indispensable article of a Hebrews attire, inasmuch as it contained his signet. It was hence the symbol of authority. ( Genesis 41:42 ; Esther 3:10 ) Rings were worn not only by men, but by women. ( Isaiah 3:21 ) We may conclude from ( Exodus 28:11 ) that the rings contained a stone engraven with a device or with the owners name. The custom appears also to have prevailed among the Jews of the apostolic age. ( James 2:2 )

"Put a ring on his hand" - Long ago, presenting a ring to someone was a sign of great affection and also a symbol of being placed in an office of authority; among the rich it was a sign of wealth and dignity. Pharaoh removed his signet ring and put it on Joseph's hand when installing him into office in Egypt (Genesis 41:42). In the book of Esther the King took off his ring, the royal signet by which the decrees of government were signed, and gave it to Mordecai (Esther 8:2). The ring showed Pharaoh's affection for Joseph and the King's affection for Mordecai and transferred to them all power and authority necessary for the promotions they received, one as Governor and the other as Prime Minister.

The ring placed on the hand of the Prodigal evidenced the great affection the Father had toward him. It also announced, once again, the transfer of inheritance which would ordinarily have gone to the first-born.

A ring is a sign of authority. When kings made decrees - they would melt wax and put the impression of their ring on it. Once they put the imprint of their ring on their orders it became law and could not be repealed / withdrawn.

The Prodigal Father is thus giving back the younger son the authority that he enjoyed as a son - thus restoring all his privileges. The younger son was wanting to offer to come back as a servant - but The Father accepted him back as a son - even though he came back dirty and perhaps stinking of pigs excreta.

The “ring” also held significant value. It wasn’t just a piece of jewelry. The ring likely was one of the father’s signet rings. In ancient times, a signet ring would often be used to seal official documents, representing the king’s authority and confirming tribal identity. By looking at the ring, you can tell what family legacy the person wearing it belongs to. This ring would have had more than just financial value; it symbolized the father’s authority and trust, effectively restoring the son’s position in the family. Given that a ring is a circle without a beginning or end, it can also be seen as a symbol of eternity, continuity, and completeness, which parallels the themes of endless love and grace throughout the parable.
Symbolized by authority, identity, and family heritage, they were used to seal documents, essentially serving as a signature. By giving the ring to the son, the father was bestowing trust and authority and reinstating his son fully into the family’s operations and decisions.
Esther 8:2 (NLT) 2 The king took off his signet ring—which he had taken back from Haman—and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed Mordecai to be in charge of Haman’s property.

Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) 12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Romans 6:13 (NLT) 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.