We now come to the next three parables in the series of eight. As we saw earlier, these three parables have a positive meaning. They speak of what God does. The previous three parables spoke of what the adversary does.
44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hidden in a field, which a man found, and hid; and in his joy thereof he went and sold all that he had, and bought that field.
common interpretation
When one explains this parable, one generally applies it to oneself. The idea then is that we are that man, the treasure in the field is Christ, and we should sell everything to follow Him. But we have seen earlier in Matthew 13 that man is a picture of the Lord himself (:24,31,37) and that the field represents the world (:38).
treasure
But what does the treasure stand for in this parable? Here it is a representation of Israel. The Lord bought the field (>world), because He paid the ransom for all (1 Tim.2:6). God gave His Son for this world, to save the world (John 4:42; 1 John 4:14). But in this world He has a people that is His special property: Israel.
special property
There are several words in the OT that are translated as treasure, treasury, wealth(ies). Special in this case is the word segullah (H5459), which occurs in Exodus 19:5, among others.
Exodus 19
5 And now, if you will obey, yes, listen to My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be to Me a special possession (segullah) among all peoples, for the whole earth is Mine.
6 And you, you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.
possession of the king
The word segullah occurs eight times in the Hebrew Bible. Twice it refers to the special possession of the king. One time it speaks of the treasure of King David (1 Chron.29:3) and once of the treasure of Solomon (Eccl.2:8). The other six times it is a reference to Israel. Israel is the special possession of the Son of David.
hidden
The treasure is hidden in the field. When we think of words like hide and hidden, we probably first think of the letters of Paul and the ecclesia. The period in which we live is the time about which Paul reveals secrets (Eph. 3:2-3; Col. 1:26-27). But this hiddenness also has an application to Israel. God has hidden His face from Israel in this time.
Deuteronomy 31(HSV)
17 And in that day my wrath shall be kindled against them, and I will forsake them, and hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured: and many terrors and afflictions shall befall the people, that they may say in that day, Have not these terrors befallen me, because my God is not among us?
18 I will surely hide my face in that day, because of all the evil which they have done, because they have turned to other gods.
buried
Israel was buried in the world, scattered among the nations. In prophecy they are presented as a valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37).
The parables speak of the period when the Kingdom is hidden and Israel has been hidden for centuries. But God has always ‘preserved’ Israel as His special possession.
Since 1948 there has indeed been a Jewish state again, but as a nation it is unbelieving. Israel is still ‘dead’, there is no spirit in them (Ezekiel 37:8). In the future God will restore Israel and bring all the people into the land. This is presented in prophecy as a coming up from the grave.
Ezekiel 37 (HSV)
12 Therefore prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, O my people, and will bring you into the land of Israel.
13 Then shall ye know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, O my people.
Israel, God’s special possession, shall be dug up. We read no more of this in the parable about the treasure in the field, for the parables speak of the secrets of the kingdom (Matt. 13:11) and the coming up of Israel out of the grave is part of the revelation of the kingdom.