Different metaphors are used to explain the Kingdom of God. A metaphor is mostly used as a literary figure for comparison; it elaborates a given subject by asserting that it is the same as another unrelated object. Metaphor is closely related to other rhetorical figures of speech, and it usually achieve their effects through comparison, association or resemblance since it is an analogy which include simile, hyperbole, and allegory. Most of the prominent examples of metaphors in the Bible aim at explaining the kingdom of God and, how it is like. These metaphors analysis, associates, and compares the Kingdom of God with different things like a mustard seed, treasure, or yeast. Prophets, storytellers, and poets use words such as a shepherd, fortress, rock, a mother of a young child, strong tower, the disobedient children, and the father of the disobedient child. These vivid languages of the bible are rich in word pictures, and their main aim is to describe how people have found God, and how God has found them (2005, Sage).
Jesus used illustrations from day to day experience to explain what God’s kingdom is like, and how He feels about us. According to Jesus, God revealed His majestic work in the everyday life, and His kingdom arriving was all around; in the home, in nature, on the farm, and anywhere. New metaphors and images should be easily understood, since even in the modern world, people should be able to see the kingdom of God which is usually adjacent to us. The Bible describes experience and teaching of God in metaphors and colorful way. For instance, the gospels use distinct images of Kingdom of God aimed at explaining the nature of God. These theories can be experienced in the modern world; for example, people give different opinions from the images used in most services. The images representing the kingdom of God revealed themselves every day. However, they may seem to be different and contradicting; for example, when the kingdom of God is said to be like a mustard seed, since it should grow publicly and out of control. Just like the yeast cell, the kingdom of God is said to grow invisibly and mysteriously. When compared to a treasure, the Kingdom of God should be discovered through people’ hard work. In addition, like a fishing net, the word of God should trawl for the people. The metaphor that the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed is convenient since it can also be experienced in recent world. A mustard seed is extremely tiny; however, after germination, it grows to a unusually sturdy tree. The Kingdom of God is compared to mustard seed, since there may be small followers of God’s word who are dedicated to spreading the gospel.
Chapter 7 and 8 of the New Testament History, by Richard L. Niswonger (1992), about the ministry of Jesus and the passion week and resurrection, are full of metaphors which best explains Jesus’ teaching of the kingdom and His role as the Messiah. Jesus has several models of explaining the features of the Messianic kingdom of God. The images brought forward by Jesus are significant, since even today; these Biblical images still have a meaning to the people. Some of the images lack meaning as time moves. For example, comparing the word of God with a strong tower may not make sense today; there are better ways of imagining how secure the Kingdom of God is like. Jesus had to use images when describing God’s kingdom, since his ministerial works, came in under the reign of Tiberius, and when Pontius Pilate was the governor of Judea. There was cold relationship between the Jews and Christians. At the time Jesus ministry was just about to reach the peak, Tiberius reign became full of cruelty, and mental deterioration.
The kingdom of God can be compared to a house, though there was a lot of challenges; the blood of innocent people killed in the reign of Pilate, mixed with their sacrifices, and there were many false prophets. The kingdom of God had a solid foundation, John the Baptist, a forerunner and ascetic prophet who wore leather loin and camel’s hair and ate austere diet, wild honey and locusts. This brings out another characteristic of God’s kingdom; it is all about being humble. He spread the gospel in Judea and Jerusalem, requesting people to confess their sins, repent, and be baptized in River Jordan. Like a house the Kingdom of God provided shade for many, having followed the instructions of John the Baptist, individuals would evade God’s punishment. Jesus died and resurrected on the third day, this signifies that the Kingdom of God had an exceptionally strong foundation and it could not be easily swayed by wicked and brutal ruling of the time. The way a house is led by a father, the kingdom of God is led by God, and since every house is said to follow some given rules, the Kingdom of God is ruled by the Holy Spirit. The house unites all its members to share a common set of principles just like the Kingdom of God. Niswonger (1992) also says that Jesus Christ does not oppose political regimes, but says that in the end everything will be under God.
References
2005 SAGE Publications (London, Thousand Oaks, CA, and New Delhi)
Niswonger, R. L (1992). New Testament History. Zondervan
