afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the

LORD and His goodness in the latter days" (Hosea 3:3-5).

If our theme were the call, the failure, and the restoration of Israel under the figure of betrothal, adultery, and

re-marriage, we could multiply the passages already cited. We do not envisage among our readers any who need

such elaboration, and take it for granted that the Scriptures make quite plain, that Israel as a nation is in view under

this figure of a wife, their Maker being likened to an husband, the old Covenant to a marriage contract, and Israel's

subsequent idolatrous associations likened to a woman that breaks wedlock. We there pass to the related subject:

The difference between the two companies, Israel as a Wife

and the new company set forth as "The Bride of the Lamb".

In Matthew 13 we have two parables, both dealing with a treasure, but differing from one another as the NATION

of Israel differs from the faithful overcoming REMNANT, as a restored WIFE differs from a BRIDE. All Israel is in

view in the parable of Matthew 13:44, "The Treasure", whereas the remnant according to the election of grace, a

smaller company, is in view under the figure of "one pearl of great price" (Matt. 13:46).

Starting with Genesis 12 we have the inception of the special nation, separated and called to higher glory than

any other nation on earth. When this people were redeemed from Egypt, the Lord said to them, "Now therefore, if

ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure (s"gullah) unto Me above

all people: for all the earth is Mine: and ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation" (Exod.

19:5,6). No other nation has ever had such a calling or such a title. Deuteronomy 14:2 reads, "The LORD hath

chosen thee to be a peculiar (s"gullah) people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth". Again, in

Deuteronomy 26:18,19, we read "The LORD hath avouched thee this day to be His peculiar (s"gullah) people ... to

make thee high above all nations ...". In Psalm 135:4 we read, "The LORD hath chosen ... Israel for His peculiar

treasure (s"gullah)". In Malachi 3:17 we read of a faithful little band on a day of declension, "And they shall be

Mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels (s"gullah)". The "peculiar treasure"

represents the whole nation of Israel, secure in their position by the unchanging character of God. The "Jewels" or

the "One pearl of great price" (Matt. 13:46) represent rather those faithful overcomers who honour the Lord in a day

of departure.

In the day of Israel's blessing one jewel brighter than the rest will be seen - the remnant of faithful ones who

endured throughout the days of Israel's apostasy. This will be considered under the parable of the One Pearl. Psalm

83:3,4 supplies another name for Israel, "Thy hidden ones", which should be considered in connection with what

follows.

The next item to notice is the statement, "Which a man finding, HID". The hidden treasure IS HIDDEN AGAIN until

the day when both the treasure and the field are claimed. When the Lord Jesus came to this world He limited His

ministry to the lost sheep of the house of Israel; He came to seek and to save that which was lost. Israel could never

qualify under law to be the treasure; they must be redeemed. They will never be a kingdom of priests by virtue of

their own deeds, but solely upon the basis of redemption (Rev. 1:5,6). Up to Matthew 16 the Lord had not spoken of

His death, but in verse 21 He hides the treasure, and declares the great price which He is about to pay for its

redemption. That death on the cross secured the treasure and the field. There the Lord Jesus gave His all.

In Luke 19:11-27 we have further light upon this hiding of the treasure. Lest any should think by His words that

the kingdom was to be set up AT ONCE, the Lord said, "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for

himself a kingdom, AND TO RETURN". Thus the second hiding of the treasure is symbolical of the ABEYANCE of the

kingdom. The day of MANIFESTATION is coming when the words will resound, "The kingdoms of this world are

become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign unto the ages of the ages" (Rev. 11:15).

This parable declares that in spite of all opposition God's purpose for Israel and the Kingdom will be fulfilled. This

would comfort the hearts of the disciples. They would see how irresistible is the purpose of Him, Who worketh all

things after the counsel of His own will.

Thus has God given His answer to the evil one. Satan had hidden his "leaven", but the Lord had hidden His

"treasure". Soon the day will come when the Lord will remove the stain of sin and the corruption of the enemy: