Finding God's Treasure

Finding God’s Treasure

-In God’s Word-

Proverbs 2:1-8

There was a man called Heinrich Schliemann, who as a boy read a translation of Homer’s account of the defeat of Troy by the Greeks. In the latter part of the last century scholars largely held that Homer’s "Iliad" was entirely fictitious and that ancient Troy never existed - an unlikely story made up to make a specific point. Schliemann vowed one day he would find the ruins of the city of Troy. He spent most of his formative years making a fortune and then spent his retiring years searching for the city of his youthful dreams, with the aid of his fortune.

With the permission of the Turkish Government he excavated the site near the Dardanelles where he believed from his research that the city had once been located. Ironically, he found not only one ancient city of Troy, but the ruins of many other cities, each built upon the ruins of the previous, as in the case with many archaeological discoveries. One day, from the excavations o Troy, a small casket was uncovered that contained a set of exquisite jewels. Schliemann adorned the jewels upon his young Greek wife, Sophia. She was frequently pictured wearing these jewels in the very early days of photography because her husband claimed them to be the jewels of Helen of Troy. Whether they were the jewels of the great Helen, we may never know. The point is that here we have a man who was prepared to sacrifice everything for a dream of treasure.

The Proverbs writer instructs us to search for wisdom and understanding as if you were searching for hidden treasure.

Proverbs 2:1-4

We find God’s treasure in God’s Holy Word.

The Bible was written by 40 different authors over a period of 1,600 years. It is written in three languages: Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic. The writers come from a variety of backgrounds: prophet (Jeremiah), priest (Zechariah), shepherd (Amos), king (David), servant (Nehemiah), doctor (Luke), tax collector (Matthew), and Pharisee (Paul).

The Bible was written on three continents: Asia, Africa and Europe. A gap of more than 400 years separates the writing of the Old Testament from the New Testament. The scriptures were first written on sheepskin, goatskin, papyrus and parchment.

The scriptures were written in different settings. The first five books called the Pentateuch, (five scrolls) books of Law, were written in the desert wilderness of the Sinai Peninsula. Some of the Psalms were written while David kept watch over sheep in the hills of Judea. Daniel wrote from the courts of Babylon. At least four letters of Paul were written while he was in prison.

Yet when you read the Bible as a whole, recorded over all those years by so many different men, written under so many different conditions, you will find that they all are telling one story and follows one theme. All scripture bear the mark of one author, God.

How do we know that when we study the Bible we are actually studying the Word of the Lord? Like mining for gold how do you tell the difference between fools gold and true gold. The characteristics of true gold distinguish it from iron pyrite, fools gold.

The Proverb writer in Proverbs 2:1-8 NLT outlines the value of finding treasure in God’s Word.

1 – “Listen to me and treasure my instructions.”

3-4 – “Search for wisdom, insight and understanding like you are searching for hidden treasure.”

7 – “The Lord grants a treasure of good sense to the godly.”

Proverbs 2:1-4 NIV translates verses 1-4 with three “ifs.” Verse 1 – “…If you accept my words and store up my commands within you.” Verse 3 “…If you call out for insight and cry out for understanding.” Verse 4 “…If you look for it as for hidden treasure…”

It is our responsibility to search the scriptures as if looking for hidden treasure because in God’s Word we find wisdom. When you find wisdom you discover how to apply God’s Word to your life. You discover how to make right decisions in life and as the Proverb writer promises your life will be filled with joy.

As you study and apply God’s word to your life “Then you will understand what is right, just and fair and you will know how to find the right course of action every time. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy.” Proverbs 2:9-10 NLT

Of all the writings in history the Bible is unique. It stands above all other writings.

I. God is the Author of the Bible.

We stand on the authority of the Bible because God is the author of the bible.

God’s Word is inspired. When we say God’s Word is inspired, what do we mean? 2 Timothy 3:16 – All scripture is God-breathed/inspired and useful for teaching, rebuking, correction and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”