Some Were Wise!
Matthew 25
KJV
2+ And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
I’ve often wondered how some today will take the description mentioned above, if they were those described as “ foolish?” As we all know they will not take kindly to it even though by their deeds they are! .
Yes, we see these demonstrated daily by most people! Yet we can not say it in the open but only in private! Basically to avoid “ trouble !”
But what is it that made them “ foolish?”! The context provides the answer! Read it; to learn and avoid such mistakes!
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Do you see? They did not plan. They did not think it through. They did not anticipate! They did not project.! They did not envisage! It was these that conferred on them the unfortunate title /description “ foolish!”!
Am sure after reading these some names/friends etc came to mind! You know some just as I also do.
In this category are found people with weak minds, people who accept /believe etc things on face value. People who follow some for the sake of it! People who put their trust explicitly in others without thinking for themselves.
In Marxist terminology, they are called the “ lumpen-proletariat “. The working class that places its absolute trust in its leaders.
If you’ve ever read George Orwell’s novel “ The Animal Farm” you’ll come across a horse called “ Boxer”! Yes! He worked tirelessly because he believed in Napoleon and the rest as always being right. Only to be disappointed in the end!
Today we have the same in our fellowship, secular (political) or divine ( church ) where some place absolute trust in leadership! Forgetting that they are also human, flesh and blood.
In our case, some do this to gain favour, to be in the good books of leaders, what we would call blind followership for selfish interests' sake. Even though they see and know what is wrong they’ll not speak out!
These are not only “ foolish “ but also “hypocritical”. Wherever they outnumber the wise you can be sure of failure in that setup be it secular or divine.
Not only does the description /tile “foolish” fit the weak-minded followers, but equally fits some in leadership! Yes. These are those who play politics with the Truth by turning a blind eye to the truth! Unfortunately, there are many!
Like secular leadership, these love/crave the support offered by the weak-minded in society or church; the human “Boxers ” Of the Animal Farm drama of George Orwell!
After serving in the ministry for over half a century I have seen these unfortunate developments at work! Wherever you turn to in life, there will always be the “ five were wise and five were foolish “!
Unfortunately, the “foolish” we shall have with us always.
My revisit to the parable, lessons I learnt these I share with you!