July 26, 2024

Jude 3-11  (HCSB)
Jude’s Purpose in Writing
3 Dear friends, although I was eager to write you about the salvation we share, I found it necessary to write and exhort you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all. 4 For some men, who were designated for this judgment long ago, have come in by stealth; they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into promiscuity and denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord. Apostates: Past and Present 5 Now I want to remind you, though you know all these things: The Lord first saved a people out of Egypt and later destroyed those who did not believe; 6 and He has kept, with eternal chains in darkness for the judgment of the great day, the angels who did not keep their own position but deserted their proper dwelling. 7 In the same way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them committed sexual immorality and practiced perversions, just as angels did, and serve as an example by undergoing the punishment of eternal fire. 8 Nevertheless, these dreamers likewise defile their flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme glorious ones. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when he was disputing with the Devil in a debate about Moses’ body, did not dare bring an abusive condemnation against him but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these people blaspheme anything they don’t understand. What they know by instinct like unreasoning animals—they destroy themselves with these things.  11 Woe to them! For they have traveled in the way of Cain, have abandoned themselves to the error of Balaam for profit, and have perished in Korah’s rebellion.

Mackenzie Tomes
Jude reminds us of the truth that ungodly people will eventually face judgment by God. His initial reader(s) would have understood the examples he gives. If we make ourselves familiar with the Bible, we too can understand what he was trying to convey.The Israelites were delivered out of Egypt, but those who did not believe were destroyed (Numbers 14). The sin of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah was so great that God’s judgment was complete devastation of the cities (Genesis 19). He then compares these ungodly people to Cain (Genesis 4), Balaam (Numbers 22), and Korah (Numbers 16). It is important for believers to always be watchful for these types of people who may “secretly slip in” among us. It is also important that we continue to put our own pride aside and place our faith in the just and loving God.