No Oil Taken with Them - Matthew 25:3

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse three of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus said the “foolish” virgins, “took no oil with them” where we read:

They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

The verse reads, “They that were foolish took their lamps, ...” Matthew began with Jesus' words, “they that were foolish” which refers to “the virgins who were impious, dull, stupid, heedless, blockheaded and absurd” “took their lamps” or “laid their hands upon and carried their flames which were fed with oil”. Matthew shared how Jesus referred to the “five foolish virgins” who carried their “torch like flames”.

The verse continues, “... and took no oil with them:” Matthew added Jesus' words, “and took no oil” or “and carried no fuel for their lamps” “with them” which means “along with the five virgins”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the “foolish virgins” did not take any “fuel” for their “lamps” with them.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus isolates the “foolish” behavior of these “five virgins”. Because they took no “oil” for their lamps, they were certain to have no “light” when it was needed. “Oil” is a symbol of the “Holy Spirit” in the scriptures, and without the “Spirit” living within a person, their ability to produce “light” toward others becomes faint. God desires to “fill” people with His Spirit, and when they yield their lives to His Son Jesus, the “Spirit of God” enters into them and they are able to live a life pleasing to Him and to spread the “light of the gospel” to others. Let all who read these words know the importance of having the “oil” of God's Spirit with them.

Next time Matthew writes how Jesus says, “the wise took oil in their lamps”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.