IDEA: We must first go back to the ancient world in order to apply the parables to our modern world. TEXT: "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" (Matthew 25:1-13).

PURPOSE: To enable listeners to understand the background of the parable of the ten virgins.

If I were to ask you to explain to someone from another culture (who has no idea of American customs) what happens at an American wedding, what would you say?

Would the procedure you describe be true in its details for all American weddings?

If you described such a procedure, would most Americans understand it or would the differences confuse them?

I. Jesus told several parables that had to do with weddings and weddings feasts that were common in His day.

What would you like to know in order to understand this story?

You can gain quite a bit of insight into ancient weddings just by thinking about what the text itself tells you.

Just looking at the story as we have it in the Bible, what could you gather about the customs in first-century weddings in Israel?

Note that verses 2-5 actually precede verse 1: They speak of the preparation for the coming of the bridegroom.

List the details in order from the passage.

From what we have gathered, how would you describe the scene?

II. There is some additional material that a commentary or Bible dictionary will give you about first-century marriage customs in general.

There was the engagement that was usually arranged by the parents or by professional matchmakers. The couple could be mere children at the time of the engagement, and they may never have seen each other.

Then there was the betrothal. This happened when the couple approached a marriageable age. It was carried out with feasting and ceremony almost as elaborate as the wedding itself. It was binding and usually took legal action to break it. If the man died, the young woman was technically his widow (eg., Joseph and Mary).

About a year after the betrothal, there was the wedding. It was a festival. Everyone in the community joined in a procession to the home of the newly-married couple. The couple didn't go away on a honeymoon, but stayed home. They were guests of honor at a week-long continuous feast.

III. It was the opportunity to share in that wonderful week of glad festivity that these foolish maidens lost.

If the bridegroom came from any distance, there was no predicting when he would arrive. Because he was a highly honored guest, he deserved the welcome of the community, even if he came late at night. These young women wanted to be part of the parade. They were probably not "bridesmaids," but members of an entourage that would participate in the festivities.

In the parable, the ten virgins waited for the arrival of the groom. They didn't know when he would come.

Those who were prudent were prepared for his coming, no matter when it happened.

Those who were foolish had not brought a supply of oil to keep their lamps lit.

(The lamps were probably filled with rags soaked in oil, for which the oil needed to be replenished every fifteen minutes.)

Do these details add any light to the meaning of the parable