The Parable of the Prodigal Son and the two Houses of Yisra’El
Many of us have grown up reading the Parable of the Prodigal Son. We have all identified with this disobedient child, and we have been taught that the prodigal son is the common sinner while the Father is Elohim Almighty. But is this interpretation correct? If it is, then who is the other jealous son? Is there another way to understand this Parable? Today, we will delve into one of the most often used parables in Christianity, and in my opinion, one of the least understood.
Before we begin studying this Parable, it is essential to have a working knowledge of one of the most important, yet least discussed facts in the Bible, The Two Houses of Yisra’El, also known as The Divided Kingdom of Yisra’El. Some of you may already be familiar with this subject. Others may have heard about it somewhere. However, most Christians around the world lack a clear understanding of this historic event that profoundly changed everything in Scripture and the prophecies yet to be fulfilled concerning it. So, let us get down to it.
What Are These Two Houses of Yisra’El? A Brief Look at Biblical History
After Mosheh (Moses) led the twelve tribes of Yisra’El, the descendants of the twelve sons of Ya’akov (Jacob), out of Egypt, Elohim appeared to His People, Yisra’El, and gave them His Commandments, leading them to the Promised Land.
At that time, there was no human king over Yisra’El, for Elohim Himself reigned as King. After Mosheh’s death, Yehoshua (Joshua) acted as judge over Yisra’El, and many others followed during the time of the Judges, a period lasting roughly 450 years (Acts 13:20).
When Shemuel (Samuel) was judge, the people demanded a king to rule over them, much to the displeasure of both Shemuel and Elohim (1 Sam 8:5–8). After Sha’ul (Saul) reigned, David became king over all twelve tribes (2 Sam 5:3–5). Following David, Shelomo (Solomon) was anointed king. But when Solomon aged, his many foreign wives led him into sin against Elohim (1 Kings 11:4–7).
As punishment, the kingdom was divided: Jeroboam, Solomon’s servant, received ten tribes to rule in the north (the “House of Yisra’El”), and Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, ruled the tribes of Yahudah (Judah) and Binyamin in the south (the “House of Yahudah”) (1 Kings 11:30–31; 12:16–17; 12:23).
From this point forward, the kingdom remained divided. The northern House of Yisra’El rebelled continually and was eventually exiled by Assyria (2 Kings 17:6, 18, 23), scattered among the nations as prophesied (Hoshea 8:8; Jeremiah 31:10).
Although the southern House of Yahudah was somewhat more faithful, they also disobeyed Elohim and were taken captive to Babylon for 70 years before returning to their land (Jeremiah 29:10; Ezra 2:1; Nehemiah 7:6).
Today, most people known as “Jews” descend from the House of Yahudah. The House of Yisra’El has remained scattered among the nations, many unaware of their identity, worshiping false gods far from their inheritance (Deuteronomy 28:64; Nehemiah 1:8–9; Ezekiel 12:15).
Yet, Elohim has promised to bring His people back from the ends of the earth.
The Two Houses Throughout Scripture
The two houses are specifically mentioned throughout the Tanakh and Renewed Covenant (New Testament):
1 Kings 12:21, 2 Kings 23:27, Isaiah 5:7, Jeremiah 3:18; 31:31, Ezekiel 9:9, Hosea 11:12, Micah 1:5, Zechariah 8:13, Hebrews 8:8
The scattering and exile were prophesied long before they happened (Leviticus 26:33; Deuteronomy 4:27; Jeremiah 9:16; Ezekiel 20:23; 22:15).
Elohim has promised to gather His people and rebuild them (Deuteronomy 30:1–5; Isaiah 11:10–13; Jeremiah 3:12–15; Ezekiel 37).
Eventually, these two houses will become one people again (Ezekiel 37:16–19; Jeremiah 3:18; Hosea 1:11).
Yahusha Messiah was sent for the lost sheep of the House of Yisra’El (Matthew 15:24; John 11:52).
He will rule over both Houses forever (Luke 1:33).
Revisiting the Parable: Luke 15 and the Two Sons
Yahusha never told stories randomly. Every parable was loaded with prophetic depth, rooted deeply in the Torah and the Prophets.
Let’s break down Luqas (Luke) 15:11–32 in this context:
The Father = YaHuWaH “A certain man had two sons…” These represent the two Houses of Yisra’El: Yahudah (the elder) and Ephrayim (the younger).
The Younger Son = Ephrayim / House of Yisra’El
Asks for his inheritance and leaves → Hosea 7:8–9
Wastes his inheritance among the nations → 2 Kings 17:6
Becomes enslaved, feeding swine → Deuteronomy 4:27–28
Hungers, repents, and returns → Jeremiah 31:18–20
Is received joyfully by the Father → Hosea 14:1–2, Hebrews 8:10
The Older Son = Yahudah / House of Judah
Remained near the Father, kept the commands → Hosea 11:12
Becomes jealous at the younger’s return → Acts 11:2–18, Romans 11:11
The Father reassures him, “All that I have is yours.”
“For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” — Luqas (Luke) 15:24
This is not just the story of a wayward believer. It is the prophetic picture of the return of Ephrayim, the lost House of Yisra’El, coming back into covenant through Yahusha. And Yahudah, the older brother, must learn to rejoice in his return.
The Parable in Detail: Scriptural Insights
Luqas 15:11 And he said, A certain man (ABBA YaHuWaH) had two sons (The two Houses of Yisra’El – Hosea 1:10–11):
Luqas 15:12 And the younger of them (The House of Yisra’El/Ephrayim – Jeremiah 31:20) said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. (Elohim blessed them abundantly with their inheritance – Ezekiel 35:15)
Luqas 15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. (The House of Yisra’El sinned against Elohim, doing all that they pleased, and was finally exiled – 2 Kings 17:18)
Luqas 15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. (In Exile, the House of Yisra’El got scattered among the nations – Deuteronomy 4:27)
Luqas 15:15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. (Among the nations they have become slaves to other gods – Deuteronomy 4:28)
Luqas 15:16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. (They fell to the depths of uncleanness – Hosea 9:3)
Luqas 15:17–19 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. (They will finally understand their error and return to the Father – Jeremiah 31:16–19)
Luqas 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. (The Father showed His ways through Yahusha, to whomever was in error – John 14:24)
Luqas 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. (The House of Yisra’El is coming back to him with repentance – Acts 5:31)
Luqas 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: (The Father accepts the repenting House of Yisra’El, and gives them back their rightful position – Hosea 14)
Luqas 15:23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: (Yahusha was sent for the Lost of the House of Yisra’El – Matthew 15:24)
Luqas 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. (Through Yahusha the House of Yisra’El is alive again through a renewed covenant – Hebrews 8:10)
Luqas 15:25–28 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him. (The House of Yahudah has a hard time accepting that the Father could accept the children that had disobeyed Him – Acts 11:3,18, as the House of Yahudah did not keep company with other Nations – Acts 10:28)
Luqas 15:29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: (The House of Yahudah, for the most part, have always been obedient to Elohim – Hosea 11:12)
Luqas 15:30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. (The House of Yisra’El, on the other hand, has always been in harlotry with other gods – Jeremiah 3:6)
Luqas 15:31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. (The House of Yisra’El, unlike Yahudah, was given a bill of divorce and put away by Elohim, Almighty resulting in their exile and scattering – Jeremiah 3:8)
Luqas 15:32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. (Elohim will accept the repenting House of Yisra’El, making his brother, The House of Yahudah, jealous – Romans 11:11)
FAQs
FAQ 01 – Why would the House of Yahudah, which has only two tribes, be called by Yahudah’s name?
According to Genesis 49:10, Ya’akov prophesied that rulership would not depart from the tribe of Yahudah. David and all the kings after him, including Messiah Yahusha, came from the tribe of Yahudah. Judah was a dominant tribe with the right to rule.
FAQ 02 – Why is the House of Yisra’El called the House of Yisra’El if it had only ten tribes?
Because they were the majority with ten tribes. Sometimes the House of Yisra’El is also called Ephrayim (Hosea 6:10; 11:12; Ezekiel 37:16). Ephrayim was a son of Yosef (Joseph). According to Joshua 17:17 and 1 Chronicles 12:30, Ephrayim was a great people. Jeroboam, the first ruler of the northern kingdom, was from Ephrayim (1 Kings 11:26).
FAQ 03 – Do we have to be physical descendants to be His?
Whether physical descendants or not, when you accept Elohim Almighty, you become part of His people with the right to the inheritance (Ezekiel 47:22–23; Ephesians 2:12). The House of Yisra’El has been scattered to the ends of the earth. Anyone can be part of this family. Even Ruth, a Moabite woman, became part of Yisra’El and is an ancestor of David and Yahusha. The important thing is to accept our Maker with the right heart.
I hope this post gives you a glimpse into one of the main subjects of Scripture, the Two Houses of Yisra’El, and Elohim’s plan to bring a people for Himself from all nations. Most of Yahusha’s parables and teachings can be fully understood only with knowledge of this background. Reading the Renewed Covenant (New Testament) without understanding the history of Elohim’s people can lead to many misunderstandings about who we are and what Elohim is doing in these last days.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son is one such example where the true meaning is veiled unless you know Scripture well. I encourage you: search, read, and learn for yourself. Believe only in His Word. May He lead you into the whole Truth!