The parable of two sons

Some parables of Jesus, for example the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son in Luke; the vineyard workers, the Talents in Matthew, are immortal. They provide a large latitude for people to reflect, to imagine and to meditate. Some, however, are rather restrictive. The evangelists have already interpreted them so that there is little room for further elaboration. The parable we read today in Matthew belongs to the latter category --- the parable of two sons.
A man has two sons. He told the first son to work in the vineyard, but the son refused. Later, the son changed his mind and went. The man, probably thought that nobody would be working in his vineyard or that he wanted to provide equal opportunities for both sons, asked the second son to go. The second son consented but actually did not go. Jesus asked the Jewish authority.
Which of the two did the will of his father? (Matthew 21:31a)
The answer was obvious. It was the first son. Then Matthew interpreted the parable as follow:
Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the harlots believed him; and even when you saw it, you did not afterward repent and believe him (Matthew 21:31b-32).
The conclusion was drawn and there is not much we can say about the parable. Tax collectors and prostitutes were sinners. They said no to God. Yet they repented and did the will of God. Therefore, they go into the kingdom of God before the Jewish authority who said yes to God but did not do His will. They were jealous of God's mercy towards sinners and refused to repent.
What if the father were not as all-knowing as God? He did not know the first son had repented. At the end of the day when he went to the vineyard to inspect, the work had been done. The father might think that the second son had done it and rewarded him accordingly. What would the first son do? What would you do if you were the first son?
Would you complain and explain to your father?
Would you give up and refuse to do the will of your father any more?
Would you "suffer" silently and continue to do the will of your father because you discovered that doing his will was good?
I have no answer. You had better decide it for yourself. Of course, if you come up with other answers, feel free to follow your own view.
Now if you were the second son. Your father suddenly rewarded you for no good reason. What would you do?
Would you explain to your father that you did not deserve the merit and returned the reward?
Would you feel so "touched" by the love of your father that you repented and do the will of your father in the future?
Would you continue to enjoy the reward silently without rocking the boat, until your father discovered it himself?
I have no right answer. If you come up with other alternatives, let me know.
I suppose God is the father. He definitely knows all things and will reward accordingly. And all because He is all-knowing, we may sometimes find Him rewarding the wicked! Probably, we are wrong in our judgment or they are predestined to be saved in the future.
From the point of view of a Gentile, God really shows favouritism towards the Israelites who have been very wicked. All the prophets, without exception, criticized her. Yet, in order to turn this rebellious people away from sins, from idolatry, God spared no other nations.
I have cut off nations; their battlements are in ruins;
I have laid waste their streets so that none walks in them;
their cities have been made desolate, without a man, without an inhabitant.
I said, "Surely she will fear me, she will accept correction;
she will not lose sight of all that I have enjoined upon her." (Zephaniah 3:6-7)
Yet, how would God treat the Israelites, this rebellious nation? He would purify them, remove the proud and haughty from their midst. Even if they had rebelled against God, God would not put them to shame!
"On that day you shall not be put to shame because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me;
for then I will remove from your midst your proudly exultant ones,
and you shall no longer be haughty in my holy mountain.
For I will leave in the midst of you a people humble and lowly.
They shall seek refuge in the name of the LORD, those who are left in Israel;
they shall do no wrong and utter no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue.
For they shall pasture and lie down, and none shall make them afraid." (Zephaniah 3:11-13)
What else can you say about God? Remember, be humble and lowly. Learn patiently from God.

My God, You are fearfully mighty. I pray that we may not be the target of Your wrath. Amen.