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After giving the parable of the leaven, the Lord leaves the multitude and goes inside
the house. There He explained the parable of the tares to the disciples and then
proceeded to unfold the inner aspect, the Godward side of the kingdom of heaven, in the
second set of 4 parables. These are related as follows:
A | The Treasure hid in a Field.
The nation of Israel as distinct from the nations.
B | The One beautiful Pearl.
The faithful remnant of Israel as distinct from the nations.
B | The many fish.
The Gentile nations as distinct from Israel.
A | The Treasure in the house.
Israel, viewed as a missionary nation redeemed and restored,
sent to the nations.
The Hidden Treasure.
It is clear that the hidden Treasure balances and is in direct contrast to the hidden
Leaven. This Treasure is hidden in the field (not "a field" as the A.V.) and this field has
already been interpreted by the Lord as meaning the world (13: 38).
We are not left to guess who are meant by the Treasure for Scripture makes it quite
clear that Israel were specially chosen by the Lord and separated to Himself for the
carrying out of His earthly kingdom purposes, and as such they were precious to Him.
"The Lord hath chosen thee (Israel) to be a peculiar people (s'gullah) unto Himself
above the nations that are upon the earth" (Deut. 14: 2; 26: 18).
"The Lord hath chosen . . . Israel for His peculiar treasure (s'gullah)" (Psa. 135: 4).
"And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My
jewels (s'gullah)" (Mal. 3: 17).
Israel had a higher calling and a special glory that was greater than any other nation on
the earth. Through their disobedience they have become scattered all over the world.
They are now mixed with the Gentile nations, so that no-one today can know for certain
just who are true Jews and who are not, for now "they are not all Israel, that are of Israel"
(Rom. 9: 6-8). But the true ones, although hid, are all known to the Lord, Who will
regather them back to their land at the end of the age (Isa. 43: 5-7; Jer. 24: 6, 7;
Ezek. 20: 41, 42; 28: 25, 26; Amos 9: 13-15). Not only this, but we must remember
that they will be redeemed. They cannot be a kingdom of priests by virtue of their own
deeds. The New Covenant ratified by the blood of Christ will ensure this redemption
(Jer. 31: 31). In many Scriptures the Lord has declared His love for them and they are
precious (a treasure) to Him. The day will come when the triumphant words will be
known all over the earth: "the kingdom of this world are become the kingdom of our
Lord and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever" (Rev. 11: 15). This parable
shows that in spite of all opposition, human or Satanic, God's purpose for Israel and the
Kingdom will be fulfilled and at last Israel will be a glorious diadem in the hand of their
God (Isa. 62: 3).