The Parable of the Ten Virgins & Old Covenant “Types,” David, Nabal, and Abigail, Matthew 25:1-13 and 1 Samuel Chapter 25

Hello again.

We all need encouragement and perspective.

In those times, the Lord may bring to remembrance an Old or New Covenant man or woman who faced something similar to our journey.

Peter refers to Noah in each of his letters. There was something in Peter’s journey uniquely peculiar Noah prefigured.

James speaks of Elijah as one experiencing a similar commission.

These are more than passing references, but deep connections to the plan and story God started so long ago – writing the story of God in the hearts and minds of men and women, including you and me.

Of course, all of the New Covenant speaks of Christ – the one who pioneered and completed the path we’re on.

God spoke to Christ through types and shadows in the Old Testament, and he will do it with you and me as well.

Corporateness

The Lord desires to speak to you and me individually and uniquely about matters he has on his heart for our care.

The five foolish and five wise virgins of Matthew Chapter 25 are found in a corporate setting.

A corporate setting is necessary in our early journey.

(We will never outgrow the need for corporateness, but the degree and depth will change and manifest in new ways, as we grow and mature in Christ.)

Corporateness provides the resources and experiences of others to father and nurture the young.

As we grow and mature, we enter the marketplace of God’s resources in the body of Christ at large, developing uniquely for the specific plan he has for our life.

The marketplace of God’s resources are those resources that transform our lives, connecting us more intimately with Christ.

This is where the five wise virgins distinguish themselves from the foolish – they are buying and selling in the marketplace of God – gaining Christ.

(An example of this may be a man or woman, knowingly or unknowingly, needing more than what’s available locally.

And so, the Lord brings resources along their way, like Ransomed Heart Ministries or Captivating.

A wise virgin, like Abigail, pursued deeper intimacy with David, opening her heart and life to him beyond her circle of relationships. And we, likewise, are called to do the same, to the greater David, Jesus.)

For reasons beyond the scope of this post, those desiring or chosen for yet a deeper work by Lord, will discover their needs go beyond the capabilities of the general marketplace of God’s resources.

The general marketplace cannot keep pace with the growth of certain wounds, brokenness, and sins, and the advancing darkness of this age.

And thus, the virgins fall asleep, foolish and wise.

Traditional marketplace activities will not change us from virgins to brides.

It takes Christ’s personal intervention. The bridegroom must come for his bride.

Only Christ can take us from a wise virgin to a bride.

Only his personal care, love, and stewardship can accomplish the work of the Spirit in our lives.

There’s more than just the father and mother wound.

This is the call of the hour, to be taken by Christ under the shadow of his presence, harnessed to him.

Me

I have received intensive prayer ministry numerous times from different prayer ministers over the last 10 years.

Their ministry included inner healing, deliverance, counseling, and some prophetic.

In the early years of my journey, I experienced mostly traditional inner healing prayer, i.e., breaking of agreements, fruit to roots prayer, deliverance, and some listening prayer.

More recently, I’ve experienced more “creative,” healing prayer, than traditional.

In 2014, the Lord began a deep work in me continuing to this day.

In 2016, the Lord spoke to me about opening my heart so he could clean me up.

He connected me with a wonderful man of God, a licensed Christian counselor, who specializes in trauma and other areas of a man and woman’s journey.

I cannot begin to tell you the number of areas God has “spoken into,” through my sessions with him. I still see this individual.

Last week I had the privilege of once again receiving intensive prayer ministry, “listening prayer,” from a woman of God who has ministered in prayer over 30 years.

It was profound, timely, and much needed.

God has ordained both corporateness, and unique and individual paths for personal healing and restoration.

Specialists are required at certain stages of the Christian journey.

Today

Today is the day to receive the call to come to the bridegroom, to journey outside your normal buying and selling of Christ; to be taken by the Lord into the deep things of his Spirit.

The Lord has gone to great length, effort, and resources, to invite our hearts to respond to his call of desire for deeper intimacy with him.

Deeper moves of God are on the horizon.

Those who prepare now and permit the Lord to cleanse and heal their wounded and broken places will be ready to embrace yet the deeper things of Christ to come.

The Lord is giving unprecedented insight and revelation of Scripture in people’s lives to embrace his call and desire.

The plumb line for us is not how we feel, or think we feel, nor compare ourselves with one another, but only to Christ.

The Lord knows where you’re at, and what, if anything, he desires for you presently.

If you have not done so, you may want to consider seeking the Lord and asking him what steps or direction he would have you take for your personal healing journey.

For beginners, a good place to start is by reading Transforming the Inner Man by John Loren and Paula Sandford.

Other great reads are, Wild at Heart, and Fathered by God, both by John Eldredge.

Revelation 19:7, “… For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” (NIV)

I may be the exception rather than the norm with the amount of prayer ministry I’ve received, but certainly, everyone needs some kind of care.

And how do I know that?

If Jesus had to overcome the hostility in his flesh (see an interlinear, Ephesians 2:14-15), and fathered by God to learn obedience, being made perfect – how much more do we need cleansing and healing?

Christ’s Rest in His Bride

Jesus said, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (NIV, Luke 9:58)

What was Jesus referring to?

I believe he was expressing the longing in his heart for deep intimacy in the adventure and journey of God; for those among him to receive through grace, the care and love of God he received and was sent to offer others.

Jesus longs for intimacy.

He longs to share his experiences, his journey, and the sweet experience of connection and union with the Father with you and me.

When Jesus spoke these words, he knew at this stage in his ministry and their growth he would not be able to experience the deep things of God with them.

But he also knew, by the eye of faith, his Father would someday provide a bride for him.

Christ has been on a journey with his father over the last 2,000 years to bring to fruition the promises of God to have sons and daughters in the likeness of Christ.

Will you and I receive his offer of grace, and embrace his care for our hearts and lives?

Jesus is at the door knocking.

Let’s say yes to the call of God to go deeper in him and bless his heart, the one who has done so much for you and me.

Blessings, Drake

(NIV) Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblical, Inc.™