When the 5 foolish virgins went to purchase oil who did they purchase it from? The oil represents the Holy Spirit, which you cannot purchase. Were they going to deceivers?
This makes me think about the false teachers on TV who are selling all types of different products saying that they're from God and that there's power in them.
Matthew 1:1 - 25
ESV - 1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
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Asked November 15 2020
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Gregory Jones
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Danny Hickman
The 10 virgins parable is found in Matt 25. It doesn't say anywhere in the parable that the 5 foolish virgins actually bought oil for their lamps. It only says that they returned. We don't know if they bought oil or not. It doesn't matter though, because they were denied entrance to the proceedings.
This parable is about the difference between foolishness and wisdom. It's foolish to have a lamp and very little oil. It's foolish to not plan for what you'll do if you have a long wait, regardless of what the event might be.
The bible says there were 10 virgins, five wise and 5 foolish. The foolish virgins are said to be short on oil. Here it is: what they were really short on was wisdom. "But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?" (Job 28:12) next vs. "Man does not know its worth, and it isn't found in the land of the living."
Matt 25:1-13 is a lesson on wisdom and the lack of it, which is to be foolish. Yes, it's wise to be prepared for your assignment. But this parable has a broader meaning than "be ready."
And no, they didn't find oil to light their lamps. They simply returned and asked to be let in. Like the scripture says: wisdom can't be mined or bought. It isn't an earthly commodity. It comes only from God. That's what the parable is trying to teach. It has nothing to do with false teachers on TV or anywhere else.
And it isn't about not having the Holy Spirit just because "oil" is mentioned. It's about wisdom and foolishness.