dastardly stem wrote: ↑Thu May 19, 2022 2:26 pm
Given the prospect of knowing ultimate reality and what is of ultimate value, and of being transformed by that knowledge to live a life of greatest meaning and contribution to others and to the world, I can't help but think of these parables of Jesus:
Matthew 13: 44-46:
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.
Don
I struggle to see how these parables describe a teaching that is of benefit to anyone else besides the one who thinks they have found the ultimate prize? If the man intends the treasure and pearl for himself, knowing many others will never benefit as he will, ultimately pursuing the kingdom is a terrible work, intent only to hurt others.
I think that the parable is saying that there is treasure that can be found (not just for one man); a treasure so valuable that it would cause a man to surrender all he once held as valuable, yet now pales in comparison to this treasure he has found in the field. The treasure once hidden, now revealed, and while this man is going about his daily activities of life.
In his book, The Tabernacle, M. R. DeHaan, describes in detail the Tabernacle and its contents. I like that the title of chapter 3 is
Where God Meets Man. The outer covering of the Tabernacle is dark, dull, gray color badger skin (original porpoise), unappealing in appearance to the passerby.
The author writes, "A stranger viewing it from without would see none of the exquisite beauty and the breath-taking splendor of its glorious interior. Only after one had entered through the door at its eastern end, stopped to sacrifice at the altar of burnt offering, had washed his hands and feet at the laver, could one enter to behold the interior of this most magnificent 'House of God'."
I think the parable is demonstrating to us that, like what DeHaan describes in his book, is that God met this particular man in a field. This man entered the Tabernacle so to speak while out in the field.
If a few people would like to read The Tabernacle, I would be happy to purchase a copy for you. The book is very rich in symbolism, Old Testament/New Testament explanations, etc.