04 May 2024
Our text is Matthew 25:1-13, the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, comes to us in the rhetorical format of ABCDCBA.
A. Ten virgins preparing to meet the bridegroom
B. Five were unprepared
C. All asleep
D. Bridegroom arrives
C. All rise
B. Unprepared ones out of oil
A. The others meet the bridegroom
The unprepared return too late from chasing oil.
Bailey tells us that there are several parallels with Luke 12:35-38 -- weddings with the main event at night, people waiting on the bridegroom, whether they are prepared, lamps burning or not, remaining alert, the door of the house as a significant prop, and the playful delay of the bridegroom coming at an unknown time. The difference between these two parables is that virgins waited outside as guests, while Luke's passage refers to servants waiting inside.
Naturally, the customs of the time assume the bridegroom is bringing his bride. The whole point is that everyone waits for him to fetch her to her new home. There would be an entourage that goes to pick her up, loudly wandering the longest possible route home. The community awareness of the nuptials, and in particular who the couple are, is critical to the social stability. It takes place at night because wedding season is during the seven hottest and driest months of the year.
Men could wander at night safely, but females always bore some source of light, and that was historically an oil lamp. The issue is not seeing the ground, but for everyone to see them, and who they are, and she can be tracked. It's a small hassle to carry around extra oil, but it's silly not to on such an occasion when it's likely very late when the couple arrive.
Most homes were on narrow side streets, and when the boisterous escorts leading the way turn off the main street into the alleyway, they would announce the coming of the wedding party and call for everyone to come and celebrate along the way, so as to be identified as guests who get to join the banquet. Those without oil in their lamps cannot be identified -- a critical doctrinal point.
Thus, once the door is shut, the foolish virgins are not recognized as those who were there waiting. In real life, it's seldom that harsh, but the point is the doctrine in the parable. When Christ returns, will He know you?
Bailey goes on to make much of how women are included in Jesus' teaching. We should all recognize that Jesus strongly corrects bad Jewish behavior and beliefs, and it's for sure the position of women had taken a bad turn under the Talmud. However, I still contend that Bailey misreads the extent and shape of what women had under the original Covenant of Moses, trying too hard at times to read modern Middle Eastern customs back into the Bible.
He does point out that you cannot make up for a lack of faith at the last minute. Some elements in redemption are based on long-term commitment. Come when you are called, and stay close. He also misreads the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, suggesting that the Rich Man was giving orders to Abraham. I've never seen anyone suggest such a thing before, and I'm not buying it now.
Elements of the summary:
1. Jesus was already disappointed by the lack of commitment He observed before He went to the Cross.
2. The parable clearly looks forward to His return to finally establish His Messianic reign on the earth; He warns people to be ready.
3. His Kingdom has a door than can be shut eternally; this is very unpopular in the West.
4. It is utterly impossible to estimate the time of His return.
5. The image of Jesus as Bridegroom is critical to our doctrine of who He is.
I would add that the oil represents one's readiness to give the Holy Spirit room to work in your life. Keep your lamp lit and full.
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