THE KING’S BUSINESS
457
might, have despaired long ago. But no hint of delay. ever suggested more than a generation. The “nobleman” was gone a “long time” (v. 19) but not a lifetime. The bridegroom tarried but only till midnight. And the Lord said, not, Ye know not the decade,” but “ the hour.” “ Prophecy is not fatalism.” In any age the Church might by faithfulness haste the coming (1 Peter 3:12 ; Acts 3:19). “ They all slumbered and slept.” Literal ly, they “nodded” ; they grew drowsy, and at last were sleeping soundly. “ All,” the wise with the foolish. Were they wrong? Some say, “No” ; it was the thing to do, and customary. They felt secure and ready and knew they would be wakened, as they were. The parable does not teach, like that of the Talents, works but waiting. The “foolish” were wrong because of false se curity. Here are two reflections: They that are in Christ may rest in, peace; but they whose state is uncertain should “ fear lest a promise being left them of entering into his rest” they “ should seem to come shott of i f ’ (Heb. 4 :1 ; 2 Cor. 13:5; * Peter 1:2-11). “Behold, the bridegroom cometh,”— v. 7. The wise found "oil in their vessels.” The sources of their oil, that never failed, sup plied them now, the Word and prayer; the “ perfect love” that "casts out fear," and they were “not ashamed to stand before him at his coming." But the foolish—theit lamps were "going out” (Greek), their hearts were sinking within them. They were beginning, and others, to see how shal low their profession had beeti, and that their virgin beauty was “ only skin deep.” It is, it will be a fearful thing to see one’s light Steadily burning dimmer, going out, just when darkness is deepest and one needs it most. “ Give us of your oil,” —v. 8. W e may give many things to others. Myriads would part with all to save the despairing. Bu( some things we cannot share—our faith our works, our hallowed life, our “por tion of the Spirit,” our “ oil." “Not so, lest there be not enough for us
only practical points, or general principles. “W ise” and “foolish,” —v, 2. Why ten? or why five? is not important but whether you, whether I am “wise" and ready should the Bridegroom come ! “All are not Israel who are of Israel,” nor all saints who claim to be such. “Lamps . . . oil . . . vessels” (vs. 3, 4). The oil is, the chief concern. What is it ? Some say, "faith,” some "works.” O f the two I should say, faith. Works are rather the flame or light (Matt. 5 :16) that are the products of the hidden faith. But let us take the Holy Spirit for the oil, yet not in Himself alone but as “the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus,” without which we are “ rep robates,” and by which we fulfill “the law of righteousness” (Rom. 8:2-9). Oil is thè symbol of the Spirit of grace (Exod. 20: 30-33; Zee. 4:2, 12; Acts 10:38; Heb. 1:9; 1 John 2:20, 27). It is this spiritual life by which “ ye shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15). The “ lamps” which contain this oil would be our soul-and-body-life filled with the spirit and trimmed with the golden snuffers (Exod. 37:23; Eph. 4:22) while on lip, and eye and hand rests the flame of light and love fed from within. The "vessels” which' replenish our lamps we shall call “ th e m ean s of grace / The Word, prayer, ordinances and preach ing—these are at the hand of all, but are empty to multitudes, empty forms. The “ foolish” are not called wicked, godless, or wilful hypocrites. They are reckoned among the virgins. Their lamps were alight, but grew dim and went out, because they had no “ deepness” of oil (Matt. 13 : 5, 6). They were Galatian virgins (Gal. 3:1-5; 5 :7 ); they had “ tasted” the good things of the world to come and felt its “powers” (Heb. 6:4-6). Darnel and wheat are not easily distinguished at first (Matt. 13:29).' "While the bridegroom tarried,”— v. 5. The Church by this word is prepared ior the possible delay of the Lord’s return. "Watch,” in every instance implies this. It has been a long and weary wait. Had she known how the night would wear on she
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs