Lesson 4

1. Opening Prayer

2. Teaching in Parables.

3. The Parable of The Treasure hid in a field.

4. The Treasure of God’s Word.

5. Bible Text Discovery (401)

Job 28:11 The floods bound from overflowing.

6. Closing Prayer

Teaching in Parables

“Again, Christ had truths to present which the people were unprepared to accept or even to understand. For this reason also He taught them in parables. By connecting His teaching with the scenes of life, experience, or nature, He secured their attention and impressed their hearts. Afterward, as they looked upon the objects that illustrated His lessons, they recalled the words of the divine Teacher. To minds that were open to the Holy Spirit, the significance of the Savior’s teaching unfolded more and more. Mysteries grew clear, and that which had been hard to grasp became evident.

Jesus sought an avenue to every heart. By using a variety of illustrations, He not only presented truth in its different phases, but appealed to the different hearers. Their interest was aroused by figures drawn from the surroundings of their daily life.

Parable teaching was popular, and commanded the respect and attention, not only of the Jews, but of the people of other nations. No more effective method of instruction could He have employed.

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“In the Saviour’s parable teaching

is an indication of what constitutes

the true “higher education”.

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The Parable of Treasure Hid in a Field

Matthew 13:44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field”.

COMMENT:

This parable describes someone who has found something of the greatest value! He is willing to give up everything in order to obtain it. Instead of being sorrowful because he has to give up everything, the man is filed with joy at the thought of what he will gain!

In order to discover the Spiritual meaning of this parable, we will first have to discover the Spiritual Meaning of the real objets used in the parable. The real objects are: field, treasure, and man.

Comparing Scripture: Prov.2:3-5 (treasure) “Yea if thou criest after knowledge and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

Hid Treasure = Knowledge of God

COMMENT:

The only place that we can search for the “hid treasure” of the knowledge of God is in God’s Word. Thus, the “field” represents the Bible or Word of God.

Field = Word of God (Bible)

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COMMENT:

The “treasure” was hidden in the field. It did not lie on the surface of the ground, but was buried beneath the surface. To obtain the “treasure” required the “work” of digging. Similarly, to obtain the knowledge of God and the understanding of the Gospel, requires the “work” of digging or searching the Scriptures.

Matthew 6:19-21 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is there will your heart be also”.

COMMENT:

To “give up your treasure” upon the earth and to “lay up your treasure” in heaven, means to “turn your heart” from the things of this world and to “give your heart” to Jesus and the things of heaven.

Spiritual Meaning:

Matthew 13:44 (paraphrase) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like the knowledge of God (treasure) that is hidden in the Word of God (field); which when a man discovers, with joy gives his heart completely to Jesus (sells all) so that he can obtain (buy) the knowledge of God (treasure) that is hidden in the Bible (field).

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Doctrinal Truth

(Taught by Jesus in the Parable of Treasure hid in a field)

1. There is a “treasure” that is worth giving up everything to obtain.

2. For humans the “treasure” is a knowledge of God and Salvation and Eternal Life that comes with that knowledge.

3. In order for us to obtain our “treasure”, nothing must be withheld. The price of the “treasure” is so high (Jesus had to die) that it requires us to give our hearts completely to Jesus.

4. In order for us to obtain the “treasure”, “digging” will be required of us. Digging represents the “work” of searching or comparing the Scriptures to obtain a knowledge of God and Salvation.

5. When the “treasure” is obtained it will bring joy into our lives!

The Treasures of God’s Word

“The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field, the which when a man hath found, he hideth it, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field”

“The field containing the treasure represents the Word of God. As the treasure was found in this field, so by earnest searching, treasure is found in the Scriptures.

If men had closely, earnestly, continuously studied God’s Word, making the Bible its own commentator, the key with which to unlock the Scriptures, they would have been as much astonished at the golden treasures revealed, as was the man who found the treasure in the field.

But men have departed from God’s great lesson book, and their senses have become confused”.

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Bible Text Discovery Sheet (401)

Bible Verse: Job 28:11

( ) ( ) ( )

“He bindeth the floods from overflowing;
( ) ( )

and the thing that is hid bringeth he forth to light”.

What is the Main Physical thought of this text?

He (Physically) binds the (Physical) floods from (Physically) overflowing; and the thing that is (Physically) hidden will be revealed by (Physical) light.

What is the Main Spiritual thought of this text?

He (Spiritually) binds the (Spiritual) floods from (Spiritually) overflowing; and the thing that is (Spiritually) hidden will be revealed by (Spiritual) light.

Substitute the Spiritual meaning for the Real Objects.

Paraphrase:

God__binds____________floods from _______overflowing ;and their  thing hid will be revealed as we see the ____light).

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William T. Barrett

Bible Made Simple Ministry

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