The phase three parables represent The People of the Kingdom as revealed in The Hidden Treasure and The Costly Pearl. Jesus explains that the spiritual Kingdom is comprised of two groups of people: Israel and the Church. The theme of phase three is value. Both the treasure and the pearl have great value. Hence, Jesus presents in Matthew 13:44-46 the Hidden Treasure, the Costly Pearl, and the Kingdom.

Psalm 94 is a song of assurance in chastening. The psalmist recognizes that vengeance belongs only to the Lord. Since, it is now his responsibility to seek revenge upon the wicked, he cries out to God to mete out vengeance upon those oppress the righteous. While praying for vengeance against evildoers, he wrestles with the idea of God taking vengeance upon the righteous who act wickedly. In the second half of this psalm, the unknown psalmist develops a theology of chastening. Though God chastens his children, they can find assurance in God’s chastening.

The phase two parables represent the opposition to the Kingdom as demonstrated by the two parables: The Mustard Seed and The Leaven. Despite opposition, the Kingdom will grow from a small, meager beginning to a large, magnificent organism. Hence, Jesus presents in Matthew 13:31-33 the Mustard Seed, the Leaven, and the Kingdom.

Psalm 92 is written to praise God for His goodness. However, what makes such praise unique is that it is written at a time when the wicked are flourishing (vss 6-7). However, instead of asking how long the wicked will prosper, the psalmist turns to God and praises Him for His goodness. In particular, the psalmist sees God’s goodness in His providence towards the godless and His providence towards the godly. According to the superscription, this psalm was a song for the Sabbath day. How fitting when one considers that God has given us the Sabbath as a time to rest and meditate upon His goodness.

The theme of the inauguration phase of the spiritual Kingdom is planting. In The Sower and the Soils, the Gospel is planted in humanity’s hearts. However, in The Wheat and Weeds parable, another type of planting occurs with a nefarious purpose. While Jesus and His followers are busy planting the Gospel seed, Satan is busty planting weeds amid the wheat. Hence, Jesus presents in Matthew 13:24-30 and 36-43, the Wheat, the Weeds, and the Kingdom.

Part three of the study on Psalm 89. Psalm 89 is written to reconcile theology with experience. A crisis has occurred and Ethan the Ezrahite, a contemporary of Solomon, tries to reconcile his theology with his experience. His theology affirms the covenant God made with David. In 2 Samuel 7:12-17, God promised David a descendent would always reign over the people of Israel. However, the Davidic monarch is at a crossroad. Solomon’s son has taken the throne, created a civil war, and split the Kingdom. It appears as if God’s promised is about to fail. How can Ethan reconcile theology with experience?

The book of Genesis is a book of beginnings. Chapters 1-11 record the history of the beginnings of the world. Chapters 12-50 record the history of the beginning of God’s chosen people, Israel. Yet here in Genesis, beginning in the first chapter, God confronts His people with the revelation of who He is and what He has done.

Psalm 89 is written to reconcile theology with experience. A crisis has occurred and Ethan the Ezrahite, a contemporary of Solomon, tries to reconcile his theology with his experience. His theology affirms the covenant God made with David. In 2 Samuel 7:12-17, God promised David a descendent would always reign over the people of Israel. However, the Davidic monarch is at a crossroad. Solomon’s son has taken the throne, created a civil war, and split the Kingdom. It appears as if God’s promised is about to fail. How can Ethan reconcile theology with experience?

Jesus confirms that He is still inaugurating His Kingdom, albeit for the time, only in spiritual form. However, this spiritual form is no less authentic than its physical. The Kingdom still has a King and citizens over whom the King reigns. Jesus sets forth the Sower, the Soil and the Kingdom in Matthew 13:3b-9 and 18-23 to demonstrate how one is inaugurated in the spiritual aspect of God’s Kingdom.

Psalm 89 is written to reconcile theology with experience. A crisis has occurred and Ethan the Ezrahite, a contemporary of Solomon, tries to reconcile his theology with his experience. His theology affirms the covenant God made with David. In 2 Samuel 7:12-17, God promised David a descendent would always reign over the people of Israel. However, the Davidic monarch is at a crossroad. Solomon’s son has taken the throne, created a civil war, and split the Kingdom. It appears as if God’s promised is about to fail. How can Ethan reconcile theology with experience?