Wise and Foolish Young Women

 

Parable of the Wise and Foolish Young Women

(Matthew 25:1-13)

(Comparison parable of Luke 12:35-38)

1. Cultural, political and theological background

   1. Women's role in society and attitudes – review previous Special Topics notes.

   2. Nature of living in a small village

      1. Dangers at night

      2. Lamps used to illuminate the face of bearer for identification

      3. no woman of any age would be outside at night without a lamp (reputation, safety)

      4. Small village... “buy” did not necessarily mean from store but from relatives/friends etc.

   3. The wedding traditions

      1. traditionally takes place during the seven months of the hot and cloudless summer

      2. Relatives, friends and other guests gather in the grooms house and await

         1. because of the heat, some would wait outside in the street

         2. another reason to wait outside was to meet the new couple and escort them inside

      3. The groom, with a small entourage, travels to the brides home and then

      4. the two return to the groom's house in a circuitous fashion (declaring the new bonds)

2. Important placement of parable

   1. immediately after discourse on the hour and day of the “end times” not being known

   2. preceding parable was the story comparing good and wicked servants (awaiting master's return)

   3. Immediately afterward the parable of the talents (servants awaiting master's return)

   4. All three have to do with what those who are waiting do until the master returns

   5. The pairing of parables/stories about men and women (equality) – reaffirming worthiness of women

3. Nature of the parable

   1. Introduction: comparison to the Kingdom of Heaven

   2. The parable is not about good and bad but about foolish (imprudent) and wise (prudent)

   3. The parable would have been familiar to those in the early church

      1. used by Rabbis to encourage the Jewish community to be patient while waiting for the Messiah

      2. traditionally, the groom was seen as God Himself gathering the faithful Jews.

      3. By identifying Jesus as the groom, the text acknowledges the relationship

      4. Symbolism abounds and every aspect seems to have multiple understandings

   4. Modified prophetic rhetorical template

      1. seven stanzas with the climax in the center (master's return)

      2. groom (bridegroom) appears at the first, fourth and seventh stanza

      3. reflection of meanings in 2,6 and 3,5

   5. Older manuscripts include “and the bride” in first stanza

   6. Why “ten virgins”? Talmudic authorities aid there were usually ten lamps in a procession – perhaps representing the ten tribes of Israel? The ten women may have been selected to await the new couple and be a processional into the house?

4. What does it all mean?

   1. The time of Christ's return is unknown and we are to be ready

   2. All the virgins appeared to be ready (can not tell those who are ready from those who are not)

   3. All the women had lamps and oil

      1. lamps illuminated the women's faces for identification (probably more like torches – a staff with a dish on top holding oil and a rag/cloth wicking the oil to a flame at the end

      2. oil is very symbolic and a good representation of the Holy Spirit

         1. lubricates (little real friction for those “lubricated” by the Holy Spirit – although always some friction since we are still human and susceptible to sin)

         2. heals (in Bible times, oil is put on wounds)

         3. lights – where the spirit of God is, there is light

         4. warms – where the Spirit of God is, there is warmth and comfort

         5. invigorates – energizes us for His service

         6. adorns – the Holy Spirit adorns us and makes us more pleasant to be around

         7. polishes – the Holy Spirit wipes away our grime (sins) and smooths out roughness

   4. No one can be a true Christian without the indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9) – the foolish virgins could not be part of the wedding entourage without oil

   5. A key Christian readiness is to be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)

   6. What does it mean to trim a lamp? Adjust/do things to make it shine bright. So, if the oil/lamp is the Holy Spirit...

      1. A few suggestions (?) in same chapter, verses 34-46

         1. feed the hungry

         2. give water to the thirsty

         3. offer hospitality (so, did Mary and Joseph really have a problem with where to stay?)

         4. provide clothing (protection?)

         5. care for the sick

         6. visit those in prison (man-made or self-made?)

      2. Additionally, love one another. Pray for all including your enemies.

   7. Not just a “no” but, “I tell you thew truth, I don't know you”

   8. Once the door is shut it will not be opened and it is too late (see story of Lazarus)

   9. Final comments:

      1. Jesus' disappointment at lack of readiness

      2. Challenge and a warning related to His second coming

         1. note: for each believer, on a personal level, it will happen at time of death

         2. like the virgins, we are each solely responsible for our own readiness

      3. The Kingdom has a door that can and does close (but is now open)

         1. both the faithful and unfaithful disciples await, but the unfaithful have eschatological punishment while the faithful enter into the Kingdom

         2. See Matthew 25:31-33 – sheep and goats

      4. The arrival of the bridegroom is unknown – even to Jesus. Those who delve into the scripture to discern Christ's coming are not only wasting time and energy, but may be diverting attention from the clear need to “trim our wicks”

      5. Traditionally, the church has been seen as “Christ's Bride” and this parable also contains the imagery of Christ returning to the Kingdom with his bride.

As we approach Christmas Season, a few questions:

Why did Joseph feel the need to take Mary, his pregnant wife, on an arduous journey?

What were “Inns” like at that time (dangerous, dirty, primarily for transient undesirable?)

Joseph was returning to a town filled with relatives, did he really have problems finding a place to stay?

Lineage is very important in a pride-based culture so would a descendant of King David have problems?

In every culture a woman about to give birth is given special attention, so... wouldn't Mary be cared for?

Mary had relatives of her own nearby (Elizabeth), so if there were problems couldn't Mary have gone there?

Was Jesus' birth the night they arrived or “while they were there, the days were accomplished” - timing?

Why do the Gospel actually have very little information about Jesus' birth? Where do our stories come from?

The Greek word in Luke 2:7 commonly translated as “inn” is katalyma, but in the parable of the Good Samaritan the Greek word used is panadocheion (all welcome). Katalyma is translated elsewhere as “upper room” and “Prophet's Chamber”. So, why is it translated as “inn”? Look up “The Protevangelium of James” - not written by James but by a second century monk.

Finally, mangers in Bethlehem then, and today, are mostly stone – and the cleanest place inside the house.

Why are both Mark and John silent about Jesus' birth? Why the Jewish Shepherds and Gentile Wise Men?