Hidden treasures

Pirate Gold of Adak Island is the latest Netflix documentary series that has captivated our attention.  A nineteen century Russian pirate has apparently hidden his treasure, over $365 million of gold coins, on this almost entirely remote Alaskan island. 

Adak Island was an important military site during WWII.  There are documented reports of army soldiers, stumbling upon cans full of gold coins, while digging trenches for military operations. Unfortunately, underground, the island is also littered with tons of unexploded war bombs.  The town has hired a group of expert treasure hunters to attempt to safely locate the valuable treasure.  

Of course, I immediately had to make the spiritual connection. 

God has also left us hidden treasures, and they are found dispersed in his word.  My study bible calls them “spiritual riches”. 

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. (Matt. 13:44 NIV)

Rather than nuggets of gold, they are nuggets of truth that abundantly enrich and empower the life of a believer.

As all treasures, they too require diligent searching and digging out.  This means careful, attentive, studying and examining.  

…If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures…(Matt. 13:44 NIV)

At the start, the experts on the show were frequently filmed simply examining the surface soil.  

For some time, spiritual treasure hunting may also begin with the uncovering and familiarizing  of basic information and context of the bible.   

In order to narrow their search, experts on the show studied accounts and artifacts left behind by eye witnesses of the treasure. 

We too have an abundance of biblical study tools and spiritual narratives that guide us on our spiritual hunt.  

Last, it took months of filming multiple episodes of what appeared as total failure.   But low and behold, they finally struck gold with their first big find, a nineteen-century gold coin.  

The bible too, promises to reward the diligent.   What may appear as fruitless labor will certainly lead to success.

…Keep on seeking, and you will find… (Matt. 7:7 NLT)
 
 

Supporting Texts

I will give you hidden treasures; riches stored in secret places…(Isa 45:3)

…study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life…(John 5:39)