Lorenwhoy,
You did a good job with your story, but it doesn’t follow Jesus’ parable. You might want to read through it again, just a little more closely. Here it is:
That said, this isn’t an easy parable to understand and I’ve been studying it off and on for a long time. Many of Jesus’ parables are specific to the culture of Israel at the time of His sojourn there, so it’s important to learn as much about that as possible, particularly for this parable, the marriage customs.
A perspective groom would go to the bride’s parents (or in some cases the groom’s father would go) and ask for her hand. If he was acceptable, they would negotiate a marriage contract – in the girl’s presence. The girl did not speak, but when the wine was poured, she had the option to turn her glass right-side up or not. If she left the glass as it was, that meant she did not accept him, and the young man left. If she accepted, they were betrothed and the contract was finalized. The groom would then leave the family’s home and go to his father’s house. This would in most cases not be a single family dwelling, but would include the extended family – brothers and their wives and children, maybe aunts and uncles, cousins, etc. The groom’s job was to prepare a suite of rooms for his bridal chamber and the new home of his new family. He did not know how long it would take because it would only be done when his father said it was done. Usually this betrothal lasted for approximately one year.
Meanwhile, the bride would be preparing her trousseau and the things that would be needed for her new home – kind of like a hope chest. She and her friends (attendants) would work on this together. As the time drew near for the bridegroom to come, the bride would begin to leave the light burning, and her attendants might even move in with her for a few weeks. When the groom was ready, he and his friends would expend a great deal of effort to make sure the bride and her friends would be surprised. There was never any question of the bride not being included in the wedding party. It could hardly go on without her! I’m not clear on just why her attendants were waiting outside for the bridegroom to come. When the groom’s party did come through the village, they would make a lot of noise celebrating, shouting, blowing trumpets. Maybe these girls didn’t spend the night with their friend, but did hear all the commotion and went out to wait for him to come from her house.
They would have their lamps, and the the lamps must be lit – not because of a lack of light, though. Apparently the light of the moon and/or stars is quite strong in that part of the world and light isn’t needed for navigation. The lamps are to make sure the girls are seen – they would hold the light at the level of their faces so there would be no question of anyone thinking they were sneaking around and up to no good. In the case of the wedding party, I expect they also had a festive function. At any rate, some of the girls didn’t bring any extra oil and when they went to buy more, they missed the party. The groom possibly actually didn’t know them, especially if he was from another town or village. Note: they missed the party. It doesn’t follow that they would never be allowed to be with their friend again. They just didn’t get into the wedding feast.
So what does this all mean? The bride is the church, which isn’t too difficult to figure out. I’m still not sure who the maidens represent though. It’s possible that the bride is not the whole church, but in fact those of the church who are closest to the groom, who long for His coming, who are devoted to him, and the friends (ten of them, which is apparently the number of completion). This seems to me to be a parable for the actual church. Jesus appears to have been alone with His disciples when He told it. The ten young ladies complete the bride, but only five of them are ready. The others must wait until after the wedding feast to be reunited with their friend. Their lamps ran out of oil during the long wait (they ALL fell asleep). Oil is possibly symbolic of the Holy Spirit, or it may be their own spirits. At any rate, there was no light in them and they were not ready. They let it go too long and missed the feast. Or did they?
This parable ends with the bridegroom saying, “I assure you; I don’t know you,” but have we heard the last word on that? In the real world what happens next? I’m told that in the middle east, a pronouncement like that is never the end of negotiations, but the beginning. The girls in a real world situation would appeal: “But we’re Miryam’s friends! We ran out of oil, and we couldn’t go without our lights! We waited so long! Please let us in!” Then the groom – does he perhaps look at his bride questioningly? Does she whisper in his ear: “Please, Darling. They’ve been so excited about this, and we DID hang around my parents’ house for an awfully long time. They’re very young you know. Please, let them in – for me?” What happens next? Jesus doesn’t actually close off this parable (as is often the case). He leaves the end up to the hearers’ imaginations.
The point is, of course, to keep your light shining and to prepare – as it might be a long wait. Don’t give up; don’t let your light go out. However long it might take, the time WILL come, so be ready!
I realize there’s some controversy about these cultural tidbits. Different regions of the country would have had somewhat varying customs and so on, but I think that overall this is not a bad interpretation. Any ideas from anyone to improve it are eagerly solicited!
Love, Cindy
It’s great to meet you! If you would like to, everyone would love to hear a little about you and your story. Please make welcome to post on the introductions thread. 
