Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.…
Understanding the historical context for the Gospel of Matthew is an important strategy for understanding what Jesus was trying to communicate to His audience. The parable of the ten virgins is no exception. When read in it’s entirety (and I encourage you to do so), some questions arise that require historical context to understand.
1) Why would Jesus call half of the virgins foolish for not having enough oil?
In the time of Jesus, a wedding included a procession of the bride to the bridegroom. This procession would only start once the bridegroom summoned the bride, letting her and her party know that He was ready. Often at night, this procession would include torches to see. Historical context tells us that these torches most likely were constructed of a stick with cloths on the end and dipped in oil. The burning oil could be expected to last around fifteen minutes before needing to be refreshed.* Knowing this information presents more specific questions: is not bringing extra oil really foolish? Should they have expected the bridegroom to be late?
To the ears of those original listeners to Jesus, the answer is an unequivocal yes. They were very foolish.
They were foolish for four reasons: 1) they lived in a society that did not value punctuality in the same way that America and other time-conscious cultures do; 2) weddings often started late in their culture as the groom finished preparations which could include negotiations for the value of the gifts . These gifts reflected the value of the bride to the bridegroom; 3) the torches only last 15 minutes. To think that this would be enough is ridiculous considering the high chance of waiting and the fact that the procession itself through the darkness of night would take time; and 4) the risk was quite high. To be left in the dark mid-way through a wedding procession is an extreme cultural embarrassment, and to not have enough oil to even begin was a high insult to all involved (bride, bridegroom, and their friends and family included). Involvement in a wedding is an extreme privilege, and to fail at this effective practice run of one’s own wedding is unthinkable. To not mitigate the risk of the torch is absolute foolishness.*
2) Isn’t it kind of mean that the wise virgins share their oil? Being wise, these five women understood that the only thing worse than what had already transpired would be if all of the lamps burned out, leaving no honor and celebration for the bride and bridegroom. They could not take the risk of failing the family and friends further. Their choice was not out of contempt for their fellow bridesmaids, but out of love for the bride and groom.*
3) Shouldn’t the groom have had mercy and let them in? The answer to question one should allow us the understanding that their actions served as great insult, disrespect, and lack of care. To the hearers of Jesus’ parable, the actions of the bridegroom were merited and understandable. The preparations and readiness that the groom expected was not harsh and lofty, but his expectations were normal and understandable given the context of what all understood as a normal wedding activity.*
Where does this leave us?
As believers, Jesus invites us to be ready. Each and every one of the bridesmaids fell asleep that night, exhausted from the waiting. Jesus is not concerned with their humanity and inability to hold onto consciousness. Jesus wants each of us to know that when He calls, we should simply have a readiness that is normal and understandable in preparing for meeting the groom.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to allow Him to examine your readiness. Perhaps the simplicity of surrendering to Him and keeping the oil of His Word and His Spirit fresh is what He is asking of you today. Maybe He wants you to take the nap that you need to let yourself refresh while you wait.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a step today… just one is fine.
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*Leon, Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew. Pillar New Testament Commentary (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1992), 619–625, and Keener, C. S., Matthew (Vol. 1, Mt 25:1–13).) (InterVarsity Press, 1997).