The Parable of the Ten virgins
Mk.4:9 And Yeshua said to them, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” But when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parable. And he said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of YHWH; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, so that ‘Seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand; Lest they should turn.
We know that Yeshua spoke in parables to confuse those who had no desire to truly follow after him and to make it understandable and applicable to those who did want to follow him.
So, let’s take a closer look at one parable in particular, the parable of the ten virgins.
Mtt.25:1 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
In order for us to be able to fully understand this parable, it is necessary that we know the definition of the following words: “wise”, “foolish”, “light or lamp” and “oil” in Scripture.
It’s important to be able to discern the meaning of certain words in scripture as they were written and defined in the original language that they were written in. The key to deciphering scriptures and their context is being able to define words and terms as they were written and intended by the author.
Wisdom
Ps.19:8 The Law (Torah) of YHWH is pure (perfect) and bright, enlightening the eyes (makes wise simple).
Deut.4:6 Therefore be careful to observe them (the statutes, the commandment, the precepts, the Law/Torah); for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’
Mtt.7:24 So everyone who hears these Words of Mine and acts upon them (obeying them) will be like a sensible (prudent, practical, wise) man who built his house upon the rock.
Foolishness
Prov.1:7 The fear of YHWH is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Prov.10:8 The wise in heart will receive commands, but a prating fool will fall.
Mtt.7:26 But everyone who hears (the Word) these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.
Hos.7:11 Ephraim also is like a silly dove, without sense – they call to Mizraim, they go to Assyria.
Jer.8:9 The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken. Behold, they have rejected the word of YHWH; So what wisdom do they have?
Ps.94:8 Consider and understand, you stupid ones among the people (wicked people who practice lawlessness)! And you self-confident fools, when will you become wise?
Lamp and Light
Prov.6:23 For the commandment is a lamp, and the Law (Torah) a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life.
Ps.18:9 The commandment of YHWH is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Ps.118:105 Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Is.8:20 Direct such people to the teaching the Law (Torah) and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
2Cor.4:6 For it is YHWH who commanded light (the Word) to shine out of darkness (out of lawlessness), who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of YHWH in the face of Yeshua.
Oil
Lev.24:2 Command the children of Israel that they bring to you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to make the lamps burn continually.
Rev.4:5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of YHWH.
So, we can say that the ‘wise one’ is the one who listens to the Word of YHWH and follow His Commandments. The ‘fool one’ is one who does not want to listen to the Word and lives in disobedience. ‘The lamp’ is the commandments and the instructions of YHWH Elohim, and ‘the light’ is His Holy Torah (Law). So, in the context of this parable if the lamp is Elohim’s commandments that contain the light of His Law, then that would mean that the oil that is needed to keep the light burning is the following of the commandments of YHWH, striving for obedience. Oil is the practice of wisdom. It is produced by walking with YHWH Elohim:
Mtt.25:8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
If you have a lamp, but no oil to burn for a light, it is like taking a walk on a dark path and second-guessing every step you take because you have no idea what is in front of you. In the example of the parable, it is pointless to have the Word of Elohim if you aren’t going to actively use it and follow it.
The light will not burn without oil and a lamp without oil is as pointless as a car that has no wheels. Our faith (in the Word of YHWH) without works is dead. Therefore, the door will be closed like for those foolish virgins.