Who are the Wise and Foolish virgins in our day?

Our Messiah Yahushua has told us who they are.

In many ways, in many Scripture passages, Yahushua has given us many illustrations and direct statements that reveal who is Wise, and who is Foolish.

In this brief writing we will look at Scripture passages where Yahushua tells us, in clear and simple terms, who is Wise, and who is Foolish. We will then look at a passage in which Yahushua gives us a contrast between the Wise and the Foolish. Let’s look at the first example.

Here are the Wise:

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise <5429> [‘having understanding’] man, which built his house upon a rock: (Matthew 7:24)

Here are the Foolish:

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish <3474> [‘hidden, not obvious to the understanding’] man, which built his house upon the sand: (Matthew 7:26)

In the above pair of verses we see the simplest and clearest definitions of the Wise and the Foolish. We see that the wise is a “DO-er” of Yahushua’s words; the Foolish, on the other hand, hears Yahushua’s words, but is not a “DO-er” of His Words. Now let’s look at another passage giving us fresh insight, as well as contrast between the Wise and Foolish.

Here again are the Foolish:

Then he said unto them, O fools <453> [without understanding], and slow [dull, sluggish] of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: (Luke 24:25)

Here the foolish are said to be slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Let’s look closely at what is being said.

Notice the word ‘believe’ used above does not refer to the Greek understanding of the word, which is only mental, and as thoughts within the mind. Instead, the word believe as used here, and throughout much of Scripture, refers to the Hebrew understanding of the word, which means “faithful to do,” as Yahushua and the apostles Paul and James remind us (John 13:17; Romans 2:13; James 1:23-25).

We see this same principle of faithful to do illustrated by Abraham, and by many others mentioned for their faith in Hebrews chapter 11. Thus we know that to believe all that the prophets have spoken, is to be a “DO-er” of all that the prophets have spoken.

So here we are told that the foolish are those who are slow to be “DO-ers” of all that the Prophets have spoken. Now let’s see the wise in contrast.

Here again are the Wise:

In the above Luke 24:25 passage, the wise can be seen as just the opposite of the foolish: whereas the foolish were slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken, the wise were quick.

We might say that the foolish were slow to become “DO-ers” of all that the prophets have spoken; the wise were quick to become “DO-ers” of all that the prophets have spoken.

Notice in Matt 7:24 above, that Yahushua tells us the wise are those that are “DO-ers” of ‘His sayings’ — and then in Luke 24:25 He tells us the wise are those who are quick to be “DO-ers” of ‘all the Prophets have spoken.’

So, which one are we to be — “DO-ers” of Yahushua’s sayings — or “DO-ers” of all that the Prophets have spoken? Is Yahushua giving us a contradiction?

No! This is a riddle for the Bride’s consideration! Yahushua is simply reminding us of His true identity!

Yahushua’s Identity

If we want to know what Yahushua’s sayings are, we must recall Yahushua’s true identity, who Messiah really is. Yahushua reminds us in many ways, that ‘His Sayings’ are the words He gave to Moses, and to the Prophets! Let us look carefully at the following passage:

For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not [are not a “DO-er” of] his writings, how shall ye believe [become a “DO-er” of] my words? (John 5:46-47)

The obvious answer to Yahushua’s question in John 5:47 is, that it is impossible for someone to be a “DO-er” of Yahushua’s Words, unless he is also a “DO-er” of Moses’ words — because Moses’ words are Yahushua’s words!

The Scriptures tell us that it was the Word of Yahuweh who gave all the Commandments to Moses, to be given for a New Covenant with all Israel, including Gentiles grafted-in to Israel, by faith in Messiah!

Yahushua and the apostle John then tell us (John 1:1, 14; Rev 1:1, 19:13) the true identity of the Word of Yahuweh [the One who gave all the Commandments to Moses] — it was Yahushua Messiah who is the Word of Yahuweh!

Hallelu-Yah! Let us allow this thought to settle-in to our thinking!

Again we ask, “What are Yahushua’s sayings?” They include all the words Messiah gave to Moses, and to the Prophets!

So we see that Yahushua is telling us the Wise are “whosoever heareth these sayings of mine [including all the words He gave to Moses, and to the Prophets], and doeth them ” (Matthew 7:24).

Let us summarise the results we have seen thus far, of knowing Yahushua’s True Identity:

Once again, we see that to be a “DO-er” of Yahushua’s sayings, is to be a “DO-er” of Torah, and a “DO-er” of all the words of the Prophets.

But what does it mean to be a “DO-er” of all the words of the prophets? Let’s see what the Scriptures tell us.

All the Words of the Prophets

Let’s look at a sampling of the words of the Prophets, to see some examples of what the Prophets have spoken regarding the disobedient among Yahuweh’s people, and then draw from this what the obedient — the Wise — will be found doing when the Bridegroom returns:

Isaiah:

Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law [Torah] of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 5:24)

Bind up the testimony, seal the law [Torah] among my disciples. (Isaiah 8:16)

To the law [Torah] and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. (Isaiah 8:20)

The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws [Torah], changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. (Isaiah 24:5)

That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law [Torah] of the LORD: (Isaiah 30:9)

The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law [Torah], and make it honourable. (Isaiah 42:21) [This verse speaks of Messiah, and this is happening now, in our day!]

Jeremiah:

Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law [Torah], but rejected it. (Jeremiah 6:19) [This verse is about to be fulfilled among all the Believers in the earth, who continue to reject His Law, His Torah.]

And the LORD saith, Because they have forsaken my law [Torah] which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein; (Jeremiah 9:13)

They are not humbled even unto this day, neither have they feared, nor walked in my law [Torah], nor in my statutes, that I set before you and before your fathers. (Jeremiah 44:10)

Because ye have burned incense, and because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, nor walked in his law [Torah], nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies; therefore this evil is happened unto you, as at this day. (Jeremiah 44:23)

Ezekiel:

But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. (Ezekiel 18:21)

Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them. (Ezekiel 20:12)

Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands; 16 Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols. (Ezekiel 20:15-16)

And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God. (Ezekiel 20:20)

Thou hast despised mine holy things, and hast profaned my sabbaths. (Ezekiel 22:8)

Her priests have violated my law [Torah], and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. (Ezekiel 22:26)

And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws [Torah] and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths. (Ezekiel 44:24)

Amos:

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have despised the law [Torah] of the LORD, and have not kept his commandments, and their lies caused them to err, after the which their fathers have walked: (Amos 2:4)

Malachi:

Remember ye the law [Torah] of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. (Malachi 4:4)

Can we notice the common theme in the above verses? As this small sampling of Scripture shows, all of Yahuweh’s Prophets continue to call His people back to obedience to His Law — the Torah.

The Great Divide

It is here at this point that the great divide between the Wise and the Foolish takes place. Most Believers today have imagined that the Prophets are speaking only to our Jewish brethren, or perhaps only to the Old Testament Saints. We have seen above, however, that Yahushua is speaking to the Wise. In fact, all the New Testament writers continue to explain in great detail how Yahuweh’s people include all of His people, both ‘natural’ branches and ‘wild’ branches, grafted-in as one, to become included in Yahuweh’s people Israel!

Yahushua and the Prophets are simply calling all of Yahuweh’s people — calling them all back to being “DO-ers” of the Law [the Torah], which are none other than Yahushua’s sayings! ‘these sayings of mine‘ (Matthew 7:24-25) are all the words Yahushua gave to Moses and the Prophets!

So we see that the Wise are those who become “DO-ers” of all the Words that Yahushua gave to Moses and the Prophets — all the words of Torah, confirmed to us by the Prophets.

The Wise today are those Born-Again Believers who allow ‘Messiah-living-within-us’ (Colossians 1:27) to keep the Law, by His Grace supplied from within — just as the apostle Paul did, with great delight:

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: (Romans 7:22)

The apostle Paul learned from all the words of the Prophets, and from the living example he saw in Yahushua.

Yahushua kept the Torah, and obeyed the Torah while living on the earth in his own body 2,000 years ago — and He simply wants to continue to keep, and to obey the Torah, while living in your body today!

It is only when His Born-Again people keep His Torah, by His Grace, that His obedience [in us] becomes our wisdom (Deuteronomy 4:5-6). It is when we allow Him to keep His Torah in us, that He is made to be our wisdom (1Corinthians 1:30) through His works of obedience to Torah while living in us.

Notice that in Yahushua’s definition of the wise man in Matt 7:24, the word ‘wisdom’ appears as an action word, revealed in the action of building an undefiled house, a proper habitation in which Yahushua will live within us.

Sin, on the other hand, is defined as disobedience of Torah (1John 3:4), and is thus the opposite of wisdom. All disobedience of Torah is called iniquity, Strong’s number <458>, and is again seen as the realm of the Foolish in Matthew 7:23 and Matthew 13:41.

But how do we grow in obedience, and gain wisdom?

The Beginning of Wisdom

How is wisdom gained? Anyone who desires wisdom need only cry out to Yahuweh, and ask Him for wisdom:

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5)

When a man asks for wisdom, he is then enrolled in Yahuweh’s school of wisdom. That man is then expected to be diligent to study, and to learn the principles of wisdom, the first of which is the fear of Yahuweh:

Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. (Psalms 34:11)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. (Psalms 111:10)

The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. (Proverbs 15:33)

The result of growth in wisdom can then be seen in ones works:

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. (James 3:13)

As a man grows in wisdom, he will become a “DO-er” of Yahushua’s Torah, by allowing Yahushua-in-him to produce the fruit of doing the works of keeping Torah, thus revealing the wisdom of being a “DO-er” of His word.

The apostle Paul, for example, as we saw above in Romans 7:22, delighted in Yahuweh’s Torah in the inward man. The outward life of obedience to Torah was then easily seen, as Paul continued to keep all of Yahushua’s Sabbaths and Festivals, including Passover and Pentecost. Paul’s example is likewise our example (Philippians 3:17).

We have seen that Yahushua and the Prophets have revealed in great detail who the wise and foolish virgins will be, simply by telling us who is wise, and who is foolish.

Which group holds our desire, and our affections — the Wise, or the Foolish?

A few of the Born-Again, Blood-redeemed community of Believers will make great effort to be among the Wise. They will seek out Yahushua in the Scriptures, to find out for themselves who Yahushua really is. These will find Him, and will begin to learn how to obey all His sayings.

A great majority of the Redeemed are comfortable with what they already understand. These will remain neutral by default, and so by default these will be counted among the Foolish. They have rejected the Torah of Yahuweh, and so they will see the soon-coming fulfillment of the first-mentioned passage of the Words of the Prophets listed above, in Isaiah 5:24.

Those counted among the Wise will be those who become “DO-ers” of Yahushua’s sayings — “DO-ers” of the words of Moses — and “DO-ers” of the example of the apostle Paul.

They will be “DO-ers” of of all that the Prophets have spoken.

These are the Wise and Foolish — according to Yahushua!