There is an enticing element about hiding and finding treasures; many are captivated by this allurement. This concept is not unknown to God, and He has hidden treasures for us to find. “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter” (Prov. 25:22It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter. (Proverbs 25:2)). “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me” (Matt. 19:2121Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. (Matthew 19:21)).
In the days of Jeremiah when the kingdom of Judah was breaking up, there were ten men that used hidden treasures in their fields to preserve their lives from death by those who were greedy of power and riches. These ten had hidden treasures in their fields; perhaps it was to keep them from the impending threat of Nebuchadnezzar. However it may have been, when Ishmael had slain Gedaliah and was going to slay these ten also for submitting to the Babylonians, they said, “Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren” (Jer. 41:88But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren. (Jeremiah 41:8)). These men were prudent in making provision for the judgment of Judah pronounced by Jeremiah. They accepted the fact that God would not at that time raise up a king who would deliver them from Nebuchadnezzar, the Gentile king. They hid wealth from the impending judgment of God upon the nation of Israel, for God was going to take the rule of the earth from Israel and give it to the Gentiles. It is unlikely that they suspected that some from their own nation would greedily take it from them, yet having the treasures led to the preservation of their lives.
The Kingdom of Heaven
Turning now to the time when the Lord Jesus came to reestablish the kingdom to Israel, we find how He was rejected by His own people. This led Him to disclose another part of the kingdom of God. In Matthew we find 10 parables that are similitudes of the “kingdom of heaven”. They give us a view of how the Lord, while in heaven, is forming a kingdom during the present time. This kingdom is distinct from the kingdom that was promised to Israel in the Old Testament, which we know will be set up when the Lord comes to reign in righteousness. The early disciples did not understand this until after the Lord returned to heaven.
The following quotation from William Kelly explains how the early disciples came to understand the transition of their hope from the earthly kingdom to the heavenly:
The hope of Israel was the kingdom in power when Messiah should reign, and all classes were familiar with it. Thus, with the Messiah in the Person of Jesus at last really on earth, the appearance of God’s kingdom was looked for as close at hand. To correct this mistake, the Lord spoke the parable of the “pounds” (Luke 19:1111And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. (Luke 19:11)). Yet how deeply engraven this thought was on the hearts of the Jews is evidenced by the question addressed to Him by the disciples in their last moments with Him on earth (Acts 1:6-96When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. (Acts 1:6‑9)). Joseph of Arimathaea, who buried the Lord, waited for the kingdom of God, and the two disciples on their journey to Emmaus confided to the stranger (as they thought!) the once cherished hopes of their heart, now dashed to the ground by His death (Luke 23:5151(The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. (Luke 23:51); Luke 24:2121But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. (Luke 24:21)). His answer confirmed the correctness of their hopes and revived the anticipations of the nation’s future blessing. “Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?” His death, then, however startling and stumbling to His disciples, is no bar to the accomplishment of the prophecies recorded in the Scriptures, for, as Paul taught the assembled multitude in the synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia, the mercies of David would be made sure through the King reigning in resurrection (Acts 13:3434And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. (Acts 13:34)).
All this, however, is yet future, though the kingdom exists on earth now. What then would characterize the epoch while this anomalous condition of matters should last — the kingdom in existence without the king’s power being everywhere really owned? The prophets can tell us nothing about it, so the Lord gave these parables, which are called similitudes of the kingdom to explain it, and they supply the link in the chain. Found in Matthew 13, 18, 20, 22 and 25, they appear only after His rejection by the nation has been unequivocally declared. “Therefore,” said the Lord, “every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.” “Old things,” because he can speak of what the prophets predicted; “new,” because he can teach what the Lord revealed.
W. Kelly (adapted)
The following paragraphs relate how the kingdom of heaven involves “hidden treasures” that may be found and how they apply to us. The time is imminent when the Lord will transition from forming His heavenly kingdom to His earthly kingdom. We are to be faithful and prudent servants, watching for His coming, that is, discerning the time. (See Matthew 24:45-5145Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. 48But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 51And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 24:45‑51).)
The Tares and Wheat
(Matthew 13:24-30,36-4324Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. (Matthew 13:24‑30)
36Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:36‑43))
The first likeness of the kingdom of heaven concerns the sowing and harvesting of wheat in a field. The sower sows good seed, but the enemy sows tares (weeds). The purpose of the enemy is to hinder and destroy, but God allows the guise of weeds to hide the true treasure — the wheat. There is a separating process at the end of the age that gathers the wheat into the barn and burns the tares. The wheat represents the children of the kingdom, while the tares are false professors. The Lord emphasizes the importance of understanding this parable in Mark 4:1313And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? (Mark 4:13) when He says, “Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?” Understanding this first of the ten parables is necessary to live and work intelligently. The parable reveals how God is gathering a people on earth for heaven. When the Lord comes and the saints are raptured up with Him, the wheat is gathered into the barn, and afterward “the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear” (vs. 43).
The Mustard Seed and the Leaven
(Matthew 13:31-3331Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 32Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. 33Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. (Matthew 13:31‑33))
The next two parables present how the kingdom of heaven develops in the hands of men. The mustard seed, which is the least of seeds, becomes a great tree for the birds of the air. The purpose and usefulness of the mustard herb is not to become a great tree, but men have made Christendom into a great system on earth. The real greatness of heaven is hidden from those who make Christendom a human system of earthly living.
The woman who hides the leaven in the three measures of meal corrupts the whole mass until it is useless. This pictures the internal evils within Christendom. They are hidden, but corrupt the whole public testimony. But out of the present ruin of Christendom the Lord will gather a purified people at His coming.
The next parable reveals what God sees hidden in the field. He loves and values His saints. They are the treasure He sees, and in order to get this treasure without others knowing of it, He buys the whole field (the world). So in John 17:99I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. (John 17:9), the Lord prays for them: “I pray not for the world, but for them which Thou hast given Me; for they are Thine.”
The parable of the pearl that was discovered shows how the value of the pearl was specially known to the merchant man and which motivated him to sell all to obtain it. So “Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it” (Eph. 5:2525Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Ephesians 5:25)).
The Last Parables
While the first parables deal more with the hidden things of the kingdom of heaven, the last parables bring before us what can be seen. They also speak of the separating process at the end of the dispensation of the kingdom of heaven. That which is of great value is separated from the worthless. The net cast into the sea gathers fish of all kinds, both good and bad. So the preaching of the gospel gathers professors of the Christian faith as well as real believers. It is angels who separate the good from the bad at the end of the age.
The parable of the forgiven servant (Matt. 18:23-3523Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. (Matthew 18:23‑35)) is an illustration of the use and abuse of those who find forgiveness in the kingdom of heaven. The parable of the householder hiring workers (Matt. 20:1-161For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. 2And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. 5Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. 6And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? 7They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. 8So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 9And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 10But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 11And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 12Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 16So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. (Matthew 20:1‑16)) has to do with the difference between obtaining things by “works” in contrast to receiving God’s grace. In the kingdom of heaven, all is of grace. The parable of wedding feast of the king’s son (Matt. 22:1414For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:14)) illustrates how after the nation of Israel rejected the invitation of God, He would give an unconditional invitation to all. He would have heaven full. The last parable of the ten virgins (Matt. 25:1-131Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:1‑13)) is a description of how there will be a separation of real believers from mere professors when the Lord comes. Only those who have oil in their lamps will go into the wedding; the false professors will be left for judgment.
We find, then, that as the ten men in Judah had hidden treasures in their fields, which preserved their lives, so the Lord has a hidden treasure in the “kingdom of heaven.” We are that treasure to Him; as we “hear, and understand,” He becomes our treasure. The parables reveal what is about to take place when the Lord comes. May He help us lay hold of our true portion with Him as participants in His heavenly kingdom. “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:2121For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:21)).
D. C. Buchanan