The Hid Treasure

The Treasure Hid in a Field

Matthew 13:44.

A few weeks ago a well-taught brother took responsibility for a Gospel Service and preached very acceptably on the "Parable of the Pearl," Matthew 13:45&46. As an aside he suggested that the "Treasure" in the preceding parable was Israel. Realising that this interpretation is "held" by many of my fellow brethren, I mused upon it again; I had never been comfortable with, or convinced by, this particular view.

While I am able to see merit in the suggestion, I personally feel there are sufficient short-comings in such an interpretation. Nevertheless I would never dare to be dogmatic, but would just like to present some difficulties, as I, and only I, see things. I am not speaking on behalf of anyone else, the responsibility for my judgement rests with me.

Accepting unequivocally that the "Pearl" represents the Church [Assembly] the sum of the saints of this present dispensation, from Pentecost to the Rapture, what then does the "Treasure" set forth?

If we answer "Israel," as did my esteemed brother in Christ, where then are the saints found who lived prior to the commencement of that nation? Adam, Abel, Noah for example, and all the others antecedent to Abraham. They were neither of Israel, nor of the Church! Furthermore, where are the saints who will be alive after the rapture and during the Millennial reign of Christ, to be found, as they too are in neither companies of the redeemed, of Israel, or the Church? And thirdly, where are those who are "sheltered" by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ in this dispensation; Those who are unable to avail themselves of Gospel blessings as not responsible due to tender age, i.e. those who died in infancy, or live without sufficient faculty to believe, and are thus not in the Church as not "having received the Spirit on believing?" Acts 19:2.

If these three "companies" are not included in the "Treasure" then is not Christ "robbed" of some for whom He sold all that He had in order to purchase them? It was the same infinite cost to Him to redeem EVERY believing one in every dispensation!
The "Treasure" then must be ALL the companies of the redeemed!