Rich men? Beggars? Hunger? Torment? Abraham's bosom? Moses? Rising from the dead?
Luke 16:19-31
19 Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day:
20 and a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table; yea, even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham's bosom: and the rich man also died, and was buried.
23 And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things: but now here he is comforted, and thou art in anguish.
26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that they that would pass from hence to you may not be able, and that none may cross over from thence to us.
27 And he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house;
28 for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29 But Abraham saith, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one go to them from the dead, they will repent.
31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, if one rise from the dead.
The following is a brief outline of the story of the rich man and Lazarus:
1. The rich man never lacked for anything. He had the best of everything EVERY DAY.
2. Lazarus, a beggar, had as close to nothing as one could have and remain alive. His health was wretched as he was full of sores.
3. Lazarus was “laid at his (the rich man’s) gate.” Laid by some who would wish the rich man to help him? Possibly.
4. Lazarus died and was carried by angels to Abraham’s bosom. 5. The rich man was buried and found himself in Hades, in torments and “in this flame.”
6. The rich man appeals to Abraham for water. He has become a beggar. Why? For having riches?
7. Lazarus is now comforted. Why? For being destitute?
8. Abraham explains that he and Lazarus they are separated by a great and impassible gulf purposed to keep those in each place forever separated.
9. The rich man appeals on behalf of his five brothers still alive, that Lazarus be sent to warn them, that they might not suffer as he is now suffering.
10. Abraham tells him that his brothers have Moses to whom they are to listen.
11. The rich man counters that if one (Lazarus) were raised from the dead to warn them his brothers would be persuaded.
12. Abraham’s final word to the rich man:
“If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, if one rise from the dead.”
Apart from possessing great wealth what kind of a man was the rich man? The scripture does not accuse him of anything explicitly sinful. It says merely that he was rich, well dressed and ate well (was “faring sumptuously”) every day. Yet when he died he was not taken to a place of comfort; he was taken to a place of tournament, flame and undoubtedly a place without any water at all. Why? What does this say of him?
Apart from being a beggar, being "full of sores,” and wanting for food, what kind of man was Lazarus? The scripture does not accuse Lazarus of anything explicitly sinful. Nor does it credit him with any particular character of or deeds of righteousness. Nevertheless, when he died he went to Abraham bosom, a place comfort. Why was he carried away there? What does this say of him?
And also, What is Abraham’s bosom which is mentioned only here in Luke Ch.16. Is it a real place?
I believe it is a real place. I believe the rich man and Lazarus were real people. Abraham is certainly a real person. The rich man has a conversation with Abraham. The story is told by the Lord Jesus, Son of the Living God. Would Jesus make up a story about a fictional Abraham? If Abraham is not a real person, then is Moses, whom Abraham mentioned also not a real person? I believe they are both real, that Abraham’s bosom is a real place where the saved of the Jews were (are?) kept until the end of the age.
Jesus told the disciples “Verily I say unto you, that ye who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Is this in the millennial Kingdom? I think so. If the disciple will be present with Jesus on His throne of Glory, judging the tribes of Israel it only makes sense that the saints of the Old Testament period with be there also. Matthew 19:28
Additionally I see no reason not to believe that this Lazarus is the Lazarus that Jesus raised from the dead. Harmonies of the Gospel place the raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-44) just after Luke 17:10, a mere 10 verses from the end of the story of the rich man, and just before Luke 17:11 when Jesus again begins giving instructions.
This account is preceded by more than a few parables. Many people were coming to hear Jesus. His disciples were with him. And some number of the Pharisees were listening too. Luke 13:22 to Luke 17:10 is labeled “Instructions” on various topics in Ariel’s Harmony of the Gospels. Jesus is teaching. Luke chapter 16 is headed under the label "Instruction Concerning Wealth." Many people remark to day that Jesus taught about money (wealth, mammon) a lot. Some even say and teach that he taught more about money than any other subject. That's really not true. Everything Jesus taught about had some direct or indirect relation to the Kingdom of God and eternal life. He did talk/teach about money much. But his instructions regarding money would be better seen as instructions regarding covetousness, greed and avarice as opposed to humble giving and generosity. It is, after all, the love of money that leads to evil doing. The righteous use of money can do much good. If the rich man (in the true story) had used his wealth to bless and heal the poor and the sickly he would have been carried to Abraham’s bosom too.
Someone said, “Do your givin’ while you’re livin’ so you’re knowin’ where it’s goin’.”
Luke 12:16-21
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 and he reasoned within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have not where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my grain and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou foolish one, this night is thy soul required of thee; and the things which thou hast prepared, whose shall they be?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. >>>---
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Luke 12:22-40
22 And he said unto his disciples, THEREFORE I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.
23 For the life is more than the food, and the body than the raiment.
24 Consider the ravens, that they sow not, neither reap; which have no store-chamber nor barn; and God feedeth them: of how much more value are ye than the birds!
25 And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit unto the measure of his life?
26 If then ye are not able to do even that which is least, why are ye anxious concerning the rest?
27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you, Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 But if God doth so clothe the grass in the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven; how much more shall he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, and what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: but your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 Yet seek ye his kingdom, and these things shall be added unto you.
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33 Sell that which ye have, and give alms; make for yourselves purses which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief draweth near, neither moth destroyeth.
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning;
36 and be ye yourselves like unto men looking for their lord, when he shall return from the marriage feast; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may straightway open unto him.
37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and shall come and serve them.
38 And if he shall come in the second watch, and if in the third, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not have left his house to be broken through.
40 Be ye also ready: for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.
