It will be remembered that in our exposition of the parable of the Hid Treasure we

drew attention to the difference which is made in Scripture between "all Israel" and "the

remnant." It appears also in the above parable. Both refer to the people of God's choice--

Israel, both are referred to under the figure either of a treasure or a pearl of great price.

The very Jews who were "enemies because of the gospel" were nevertheless "beloved

because of the fathers," but doubly precious in the sight of God has ever been that

believing remnant from Abraham onwards. These are an election from among the elect,

and these are dealt with in the parable of the Pearl:--

Let us briefly consider the words used in this parable.

Merchant.--The word is epmoros in the original, giving us our emporium, and occurs

five times in the N.T., once in the parable, and four times of the merchants connected

with Babylon (Rev. 18:).

Pearls.--These are mentioned in the N.T. nine times. Two of these occurrences are in

the parable, and five are in the Revelation. The harlot is seen decked with precious

stones and pearls, but after her destruction the new Jerusalem, the holy city, is seen with

its foundation of precious stones, and every gate a pearl. Merchants and pearls are

connected with the two cities, and the two systems, the one being the devil's parody of

the other.

The N.T. word for a pearl is margarites. Another word, not found in the N.T., but

closely resembling the Hebrew word translated "rubies," is the word pinna. The R.V.

margin of Job 28: 18 gives "pearls" as an alternative reading. Bochart is very strong

in his belief that the Hebrew word peninim (rubies) should be translated pearls. The price

of  wisdom (Job 28: 18;  Prov. 3: 15)  and the worth of a virtuous woman

(Prov. 31: 10) are placed above the value of peninim or pearls.

Coming now to the meaning of the parable. Right down the ages since the time of

Abraham there has been a faithful remnant. These will form one company at the end, and

are spoken of as "holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling," "who died in faith, not

having received the promise." The reader should turn to the following passages before

going further, to learn more concerning this remnant according to the election of grace.

Isa. 1: 9; Isa. 7: 3 (Shear-jashub, the name translated for us in 10: 21 by the words "the

remnant shall return"); Isa. 11: 11, 16; Ezek. 9: 4-6; 14: 22; Joel 2: 32 (compare the

remnant on the day of Pentecost); Micah 2: 12; Rom. 9: 27; 11: 5.

The overcomers of the Apocalypse, the 144,000 sealed of the tribes of Israel, the

various companies mentioned in Rev. 12: 17; 14: 1-5; 15: 1-3 and 20: 4 all seem to be