The Ten Bridesmaids

So lets recap last weeks talk. Who remembers the parable last week?

What was the point of that parable?

We must not assume Christ will delay his coming, but be ready for him to return at any time.

Let’s look at Matthew 24:1-13 please.

Pray

What is happening in this parable?

Who is familiar with a Jewish wedding ceremony and wedding arrangements?

1. First of all by Jewish custom only unmarried women were bridesmaids.

2. This is a large wedding party so it implies that a grand wedding feast for eminent families. Because the families were powerful and well thought of it was an important occasion.

3. 3 Phases.

1. Phase 1: The promise of marriage that was formalized by a contract and usually involved a payment to the brides father from the groom’s father.

2. Phase 2: The betrothal. A betrothed couple were then legally committed to get married through the exchange of vows and gifts. The only way to separate this betrothal was through a divorce. When Joseph said he wanted to “put away” Mary quietly in the Christmas story, that is what they were talking about. Joseph and Mary were betrothed and the only way they could break the betrothal was through a divorce. These betrothal’s could last up to a year and gave the couple time to set up their house, actually probably just a room in the Groom’s home, and outfit it in preparation for them living together.

3. Phase 3: The wedding feast. In this phase the groom comes to get the bride and carries her to a feast in their honor signalling the end of the betrothal and the consummation of the union. These wedding feasts could last for a few days as the happy couple is celebrated.

This parable takes place on day one of the wedding feast, as the groom arrival would start the festivities. What do you notice about this arrival?

To our 21-century sensibilities a groom arriving late and in the middle of the night seems odd, but it was not uncommon to the Jews who were listening to this story. We should not take this story to mean that the groom was indifferent about his bride or the ceremony.

Notice, what does the groom do when he does arrive?

He does not wait another minute to begin the celebration

What is the foolish bridesmaids error? How does it affect their actions?

What happened to the girls who were not prepared?

How did the groom respond to their arrival?

Does this sound like any other passages of scripture?

What is the point of this parable then?

The point is the exact opposite of last weeks parables