 Previous Chapter |
 Return to Outline |
 Ask Questions |
 Next Chapter |
Jesus immediately follows with a parable about preparation and readiness. When the Lord comes, He will find two types of people. These are represented by 10 maidens, 5 wise and 5 foolish. Let me warn you that this scripture is used by those who believe in "Apostasy". Apostasy is defined by Webster as the "abandonment" of a previous loyalty. This is Referred to by some as the ability to "fall out of Grace". I do not believe that this is possible sense Grace and Salvation is unmerited and a gift from God. It is not ours to gain nor to loose. He who is able to save us is able to keep us and present us "spotless" before the one True and Living God.
If, then, this is not about "falling out of Grace", what is it about? In the process of Salvation, God first chooses, then man has a choice. We can only assume that those who did not make it to the marriage feast, did not choose to do so. Our choices affect our whole life and the life to come. Here, 10 of the maidens foolishly choose not to take extra oil for their lamps.
Notice all 10 of the maidens were invited. There is no choice until and unless you are invited or chosen by the Lord. We call this the "enlightenment" of the Holy Spirit. There was a custom among the Jews. The bridegroom would come to the brides house, late at night, accompanied by 10 of his friends. The Bride, expecting this, always sent 10 of her brides maids with lamps to meet them. Now the bride nor the brides maids had any idea when the bridegroom would show up. So to be a good brides maid, you always carried extra oil for your lamp in case the bridegroom tarried. Those who choose to not do as they were instructed, took a chance on the early arrival and the grace of the bridegroom.
Rules are made for a purpose. There is an established way where by we must be saved. There are no short cuts. When we studied the story of Lazarus and the rich man, we questioned the coldness of Abraham in not granting the request of the rich man for a simple drop of water for his parching tongue. We concluded though, that the rich man had made his choice in this world and thus was in torment by choice. Can we apply this same logic to this occasion? When the 5 wise maidens were asked by the 5 foolish maidens, "Give us some of your oil for our lights are going out." I like what Matthew Henry says about this, "The oil was a gift of God. It was available to all 10 of the maidens. The 5 wise maidens took all that was needed but the 5 foolish maidens tried to cut corners. The oil was not for the 5 wise maidens to give but was for the 5 foolish maidens to seek after, before the bridegroom came.
So the whole lesson of the parable goes back to what Jesus was just teaching, "Be ready, make sure you have enough oil, you know not the day nor the hour when Christ cometh."
There is an interesting study about the number ten. There was always something conclusive about this number. The quorum for a synagogue meeting was always 10. Ten people were required for the rite of circumcision. Ten people were the minimum number you could have to keep the Passover. Ten witnesses were required for a marriage contract. Boaz had 10 witnesses when he married Ruth. So it was not unusual that Jesus chose 10 maidens for this parable.
Previous Chapter |
Return to Outline |
Ask Questions |
Next Chapter |