Trim Your Wick

Matt. 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
[It was common in ancient times for the general public to join in the wedding procession in order to partake of the food and fun at the ceremony. They were general girls of the village, going to the party and the precession was so long that some got tired of watching and fell asleep.
10 – Ten is the number in Hebrew life throughout the Scriptures;
There were 10 men to hold a Synagogue, 10 present to confirm a circumcision, 10 in a house to keep the Passover. Abraham was tested 10 times and the last one was a test of obedience in Gen. 22. Boaz had 10 witnesses at the marriage in Ruth 4. G-d would spare a city for 10 righteous in Gen. 10:32. 10 camels were loaded with gifts for Rebekah in Gen. 24. And Rebekah stayed 10 days with her family. Joseph had 10 brothers that went to Egypt in Gen. 42. The tabernacle had 10 curtains in Ex. 26. G-d gave 10 written commandments to Moses in Deut. 4. 10 tables in the Temple, 10 golden candlesticks and 10 lavers for water in 2 Chron. 4. The Messiah will return with 10,000 saints in Jude 14.
Virgins – young ladies that never been with a man. It was so important in marriage that the ‘best man’ had to wait outside the chamber door until the marriage was constipated and the bloody sheet was passed out to him. It was to prove of a virgin that was to be taken to her mother to be kept as evidence encase of acquisitions. Lying to one’s husband called for a hard punishment.
All were virgins, all had lamps, all were watching for a time and notice all were ready with oil, but not all prepared for to keep watching for the bridegroom.]
[2] And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
[Wise - prudent, intelligent, mindful of one's interests.
Foolish – morons, irreverent, godless.]
[3] They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
[All going in the same direction with the same purpose but not all were prepared for the long haul.]
[4] But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
[They were ready in season as well as out, they did not want to miss their bridegroom so became well prepared.]
[5] While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
[The ancient Jewish weddings often started celebrations at the rising of the first star (6 pm) just after sunset.
Tarried – delayed.
All slumbered – laid down to rest tired of watching and waiting, burn down and burnt out. No time was announced for the bridegroom to set out for the feast, and the day wore on. A torchlight procession is more impressive in the dark. The torches were long poles with oil-lamps tied to the top, and the more provident girls took a supply of olive oil with them in case the lamps went out. They were waiting for the warning shout “he is here” and some had to be woken up when it came.]
[6] And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
[There are nine major steps to the ancient Jewish marriage that Y’Shua often alludes to in His teaching:
The betrothed.
The marriage price.
The cup of acceptance.
Preparing of the wedding home.
The stealing away of the bride.
The preparation.
Entering of the marriage chamber.
The best man announcing of the consummation of the marriage.
The marriage supper.
Midnight – not 11/11 as people say.]
[7] Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
[Virgins symbolize followers (2 Cor. 11:2), keeping yourself prepared. The ten maidens do not appear to have been bridesmaids, or even specially invited guests; they were girls of the village who had decided to form a torchlight procession and escort the bridegroom and his party to the house where the wedding feast was to be held. They knew that, if they did so, there would be a place at the feast for them, so that they could share in the good cheer. To this day there are parts of the world where a wedding feast is a public occasion for the neighborhood, and all who come find a welcome and something to eat and drink.
Trimmed their lamps – to get the best light from it, but five of them found that their lamps were going out, and they had no extra oil. The lamps were not out, but going out. The lamp ran out at midnight for they lasted only six hours.
The wicks were made from holy garments like the priest garments or clothing used will serving and worshiping. Sometimes our garments get stain and need to be trimmed out and sometimes people in our live need to be trimmed out. These virgins needed to trim their lamps so it could get fresh oil.]
[8] And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
[One major message here is that the oil of yesterday will not work for today’s lamp. You need a daily refresh, and renewing. Need to prepare for the future, not just live in the present. (Rev. 2:5-7). These maidens were friends of the bride or neighborhood girls, and not necessarily friends of the bridegroom. Today we have friends of the church but not necessary friends of the Savior. If you are not prepared you will lose a blessing, we were told back in Genesis not to ever let our light go out.
The oil (anointing) that the Father has given you is not always meant for another so do not let others steal or share in your anointing, but receive directly from the Father Himself.]
[9] But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
[The others could not lend them any of theirs, for then there would not have been enough to last the journey. Running to buy some was not easily done at midnight, but when they managed to get some they found themselves lock out, a penalty for procrastination of being prepared.]
[10] And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
[A wedding story with no mention of the bride, the ten maidens went to meet the bridegroom and the bride. G-d is preparing His bride, one who is forever watching and waiting for her beloved.
G-d shuts the door!! The idea of people being shut out is found often in Y’Shua’s teachings illustrating a mere profession and because they did not know Him. The door was shut to prevent thieves from harming the guests or taking the ransom for the bride. The number 10 stands for divine order, “if all were in G-d’s perfect order all would had oil.” It is a story of THAT day – relating to the coming wedding (Rev. 19:1-10). ]
[11] Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
[Ten virgins – in the scene from real life depicted in the parable the maidens’ disappointment was keen, but hey suffered no irreparable loss: they had missed the wedding feast but there would be other weddings and they would remember to take an adequate supply of oil another time. But the application of the parable the loss is more serious.
This point being: watch and pray. Be careful not to lose interest and keep your light always burning. Keep you’re anointing flowing and stay ready at all times not growing weary in waiting. Do not get into a slumber position.]
To those that have an ear let them hear the Word of G-d: “SOON the door is closing!”