Men Of The Bible - Harim
The Road to Redemption
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest —Mathew 11:28
The Illusion of Prosperity and the Fall
Carts behind weary horses, he journeyed the dusty road towards Tyre. Leaving behind the city of light, desperate to begin a new life and live independently, he poured his life’s inheritance into Tyre’s booming economy. Like many of his peers, he sought a “better life” beyond the shores of home.
Economic experts had long predicted Tyre’s trade boom. It became the Phoenicia’s financial headquarters, accounting for two-thirds of its wealth.
On the eve of his departure, his father pleaded with him to reconsider. “What do you want that I haven’t provided, son? Tell me. What? Why not join effort with your brother to continue my legacy… ”. “That is the problem father. I want my legacy too. Have you forgotten father, you always wanted us to go out and multiply 1. What happened?” “Everything I have done is for you, my son. I know you’re thick-skinned but leaving home is the last thing I imagined you would do”. His father said, placing his trembling hands on the table. “Your brother is here—why not stay and build the family together 2?”. “Father!” Harim replied in an appealing tone. I don’t think you understand me enough. Try to understand me, father. Home isn’t going anywhere; I can always return. Let me go out and see what the world offers…”. And so, he left home with his share of his father’s wealth, his heart set on Tyre’s promise.
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death" — Proverbs 14:12 (ESV)
After a period, Tyre began to experience unrest. Wars and rumours of war3 affected global trade. Investors were pulling out, searching for a better haven. Harim was heavily invested in Tyre and would not be deterred.
In a turn of events, economic hardship hit the region. After a decade, a huge part of his investment had crumbled. Tyre had faced an unprecedented financial meltdown, its crumbling walls mirroring his despair. He struggled to keep up with what was left. Crushed by debt, he fought to salvage what remained, but creditors circled like vultures, demanding repayment. After several failed attempts to resurrect his dying business and reclaim his dignity, he sold off everything and fled — pitching his tent in Sidon4.
The Dissonance of Family and Fate
Sidon was the destination for the broken and lost. It offered a temporary relief from the wrecks of Tyre.
On his way from a brothel, Harim met Abdul, a visitor in Sidon.
The two made many contacts. Addul soon noticed Harim’s distress. ”Have you considered going back home?” Abdul enquired. I can’t go back to my father.” Harim replied, raising his head. “I can’t face him. My brother too. He’ll be happy to see what I have become and gloat at my failure. He sees me as a competitor. I can’t! It’s a shame I went away full but ’ll return empty5, Harim said, turning his eyes away from Abdul, trying not to blink.
“I once ran away too”, Abdul said gently. “Home has a way of waiting. You should go. You can’t continue this way — it’s beneath a prince”. “I have heard good things about your father: how compassionate he is,” Abdul continued. “You know my father?” Harim interrupted, rubbing his hard palm on his face. “Yes!” Abdul responded. “I didn’t mention it, but I was also in Tyre.” Harim was curious. “Yes, I invested in Tyre too, but everything went down with the sinking country.” Abdul continued speaking with Harim on the merits of taking a bold step to return home, but it’s Harim’s call.
Years passed, Harim’s life a wheel of futility, stuck in vain pursuit of restoration. The harder he struggled, the deeper he sank — years spent in vanity and pride. After many painful and failed attempts, he realised that the first rung to redemption was to give up trying. Still hoping for a change in fate, he reconsidered Abdul’s advice, but his old self wrestled on6.
"But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!’" —Luke 15:17 (ESV)
The Vision and the Journey Home
“Abba warned me about the dangers of making reckless decisions 7. He will be very mad at me”. “Abba! Abba is a powerful man. I would rather profit as his servant than waste my life chasing vain dreams. I made a mess of my life, but who else can take me in if not Abba? I would rather go to Abba than die in a fool’s paradise. 8” His mind drifted as he reminisced about his father and home.
“Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that He may have compassion on him” — Isaiah 55:7
He sat outside his tent, watching the sun sink behind the glowing evening clouds. A cool breeze makes its gentle fingers on his face, sending him into a state of serenity. The figure in the distance resembled Abba. “It was unusual for him to be out there at this hour”, he thought. He walked hurriedly towards the figure, almost running to seize the hope in his heart. It was an unexplainable joy to fall at Abba’s feet. He had finally escaped the flames of Tyre and Sidon. For a moment, his inner turmoil dissolved. He was in Abba's bosom now. He observed his face still glowed as before, his gray hair flowing generously across his features, unchanged over the years9. He could not contain his joy like one who had discovered a treasure10. He wept bitterly, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants… 11” Abba's gentle hands squeezed his shoulders, throwing his arms around him, he kissed him — “Rise, my son”12. He opened his eyes. He had dozed off from the exhaustion of working all day on the farm. Looking up, he noticed Abdul standing over him, tapping his shoulder. “Abdul.” Abdul stared at him, wondering why his eyes were teary. Rising from his seat, he declared, “I’m going home, Abdul!”. “Abdul, I’m going home. Abba is waiting for me… 13”
