I have considered that interpretation before myself, Wordkeeper. But while it might be natural to speak of men in such a way, to refer to the heavenly Father as being "mature" is sort of bizarre, as it insinuates a development in His character from once being in a place of being immature.
I believe the command to be perfect is explained by our Lord in John 17:20-23 (v. 23 specifically). It requires us to completely abide in Christ by abiding in the Spirit (John 15:1-10, 1 John 3:24). Is abiding so deeply in Christ that we enter into a state of permanent perfection possible? Not in my book. But if you take the commandment in a momentary sense, most certainly it is. The same is true of the commandment, "Be holy, for I am Holy." Can we walk in holiness? We not only can but must if we would please God (2 Corinthians 7:1). But will we ever walk in a state of permanent holiness? I don't see how the scriptures can support that position (1 John 2:1, Hebrews 12:1-2).
When I posted my view I first checked the context and found that the idea of the command to be perfect meaning to be complete, mature, ripe, fulfilled, arrived at a final state, clashed with comparing it with God's nature. How can we be required to be mature as God is mature? Was God ever raw, incomplete, not mature?
These dilemmas come up when we use systematic methods of interpretation. Biblical theologists don't feel the need to harmonise. Of course this leaves many bits of information not understood, which may be problematic.
I'm exploring a different way of interpretation which I call analytical theology.
The idea is that the writers of the text received original revelation and conveyed it in the primitive vocabulary they possessed, which is not as sophisticated and useful as modern versions.
How to Say Everything in a Hundred-Word Language
Further, it was understood that the words used would be accompanied by a speaker who would be able to supply the expansion of those simple terms.
Let's take an example. A useful one.
A systematic theologian would take an idea and describe it and then classify it, see where it fits. A biblical theologian would just take the information and add it to a big collection of disparate ideas, without needing to fit it, harmonise it.
The analytical theologian would try to see a pattern. The word or term must either be THE pattern or part of the pattern.
One overarching pattern, motif or theme which could be assigned to Scripture is transformation. Right from the beginning, God tells Adam to subdue the earth. So there is a transition from wild to tame.
God calls Abraham out from his father's house. The transition is from home to not home
God calls His Sons out of Egypt. The transition: from Egypt to Promised Land.
Our text calls for a transition from raw, immature to ripe, mature.
Now we see the possibility that Adam was commanded to transition from raw to ripe, immature to mature.
The Fall is possibly an interruption to the transition.
At this point, I’d like to get a confirmation.
Would you agree that a possibility exists that the overarching message the writers of Scripture tried to convey was their revelation that God's will was that humans should transition from incomplete to complete?
If you agree, we can expand on the view, the details, confirmation from other scholars with citations, and finally an understanding of if and why even God matures.
Bear in mind that there were people who obeyed God and even they did not receive what was promised, because the time had not come. Not so the people addressed in Matthew 5. Which is the good news after the Cross. The promise can now be received.
Hebrews 11:13-16
13All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.
......
Hebrews 11:39-40
39And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised,
40because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.
