WHO IS JUDE?
The book of Jude is only one chapter long. Jude is known to be Jesus’ half brother, who originally may have denied the Messiah, but after His death and resurrection, became a devoted follower. I thought the book of Jude would be a good book to study because I am working on memorizing scripture and I thought this would be the perfect short epistle to try to memorize. I had no idea the depth of scripture that this ‘little’ letter would entail. Interestingly, this letter ended up being the perfect scripture to study for our current age. It is packed with deep insight and Old Testament references that I can’t wait to share. The beginning scripture in Jude opens with profound scripture:
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Jude 1:3-4
The definition of contend is to strive in opposition or against difficulties, to compete (as in a race) or to strive in controversy or debate. This is quite a different message than what I am used to hearing in the mainstream Christians channels. Mostly we hear to get along and not to push back against sin. But that is not what the book of Jude says. Instead, we are warned against perverting the gift of grace and to hold true to biblical truth.
WHAT IS HYPER-GRACE?
Recently, the term hyper-grace was used to describe popular Christian teachings. These teachings use the grace of God to exclude other core biblical teachings such as repentance and confession of sin. Hyper-grace describes all sin, past, present, and future, as already forgiven, so there is no need for a believer to ever confess it. However, the gift of grace, humility and genuine repentance go hand in hand.
Sadly, many believe that we are not bound (or no longer bound) by Jesus’ teaching and are not responsible for our sin. Many hyper-grace teachers even go as far as calling anyone who disagrees with following the core biblical values as being a legalist.
SODOM & GOMORRAH
Jude describes what happens when a society perverts the grace of God, as Sodom and Gomorrah did in the past. These stories are given to us as an example so we don’t repeat these grievous situations.
Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.
Jude 1:7
What’s interesting is that Sodom and Gomorrah were part of the ‘cities of the plain’. There were 5 cities total – Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim and Zoar (Gen. 13:10, Deut. 29:23). Zoar was spared because that is where Lot fled when the cities were destroyed. Some believe they may have recently found one of the cities and some experts believe that one or more of the cities may lie beneath the Dead Sea. If that is true, the theory that the Dead Sea has been in Israel for millions of years may need to be reevaluated. Since the 1960s the Dead Sea has been losing massive amounts of water, so we may soon know more about the location.
THE ARCHANGEL
As we move to Jude 1:8-9 we can see this little chapter is packed with complexities.
Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.”
Jude 1:8-9
There is not much information about this dispute between Michael and Satan in our Bible, other than this reference in Jude. Scholars believe this struggle may be described in a book called ‘The Ascension (or Testimony) of Moses’ of which the only copy is an incomplete, 6th century, Latin translation, or it could be a compilation of other various texts.
However, we do know from Deuteronomy 34:6 that the body of Moses was to be hidden and still is to this day. Many believe that Satan wanted Moses’ body so that the people would begin to worship it as a shrine, much like they did with the bronze serpent Moses had made, as referenced in 2 Kings 18:4.
But what I primarily gained from this part of scripture is that Michael responded differently than Satan would. Even though he was ‘contending’ with Satan, he did not blaspheme him or pronounce judgement, but left that to the Lord. God is the One who is the Judge, He is the Almighty. We merely contend – striving for truth, love and goodness, while leaving judgement to our Creator.
OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCES
I’ve also noticed how often in scripture we are reminded of the stories in the Old Testament. Cain committed murder out of jealousy, Balaam was a false prophet out to make money and Korah was prideful and rebellious towards God’s plan. Again, these stories are given as an example for us, so that we do not repeat history.
Jude goes on to describe the ungodly people, who are perverting the grace of God, to be blaspheming everything they do not understand (Jude 1:10) and acting irrational. Additionally, Jude speaks against false teachers who may not be that easy to identify.
HIDDEN REEFS
False teachers are described as hidden reefs in the text. The Greek word is spilas (Strong’s G4694), meaning a hidden rock or reef. But in the interlinear Blue Letter Bible it describes it as a metaphor of those, who by their conduct, damage others morally, or wreck them.
These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.
Jude 1:12-13
Love feasts were referred to as gatherings of believers for a meal, which can include communion, as this often occurred at these gatherings. It’s hard to imagine anyone coming to these love feasts would be trying to twist doctrine, but Jude warns that this is where they are hidden.
It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”
Jude 1:14-15
Jude 1:14 references the book of Enoch, which is a bit controversial. However, this book was well known by many during Jesus’ time on earth. But aside from that, this statement is shared in other scriptures, such as Mark 8:38.
THE UNGODLY
I found it very interesting that Jude 1:15 referenced ‘ungodly’ four times in the ESV version. Ungodly means to lack reverence for God, being without respect of God or failing to honor what is sacred. Reverence can be translated as showing great respect or fear. To fear the Lord is to have great respect for Him, to care deeply what He thinks.
Psalm 111:10 says:
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
FLATTERY & FAVORITISM
As we look further to Jude 1:16 it states:
These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.
One of the things that stood out in Jude 1:16, was that the NIV version says they ‘flatter’ others to take advantage. The ESV is closer to the original text saying they show ‘favoritism’ to gain advantage. However, that is still considered flattery from the research I’ve seen. I never really considered flattery as sinful. But the more I research it in the Bible, the more I see how destructive it can be.
We are told to encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11). However, flattery is different and is defined as excessive or insincere praise. Being a people pleaser, I can definitely see how I may have fallen into this myself, thinking I was being nice or helpful, overdoing it or hoping for something in return. There are several verses in the Bible re flattery but these two scriptures below stood out.
Proverbs 29:5 says:
A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
Romans 16:18 warns to avoid those who flatter with smooth talk to deceive the hearts of the naïve.
THERE WILL BE SCOFFERS
This next verse in Jude, I think is the most compelling because I have seen firsthand all the scoffing against God recently, many believing God will not act and criticizing those who have faith that He will act and give consequences.
“In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.
Jude 1:18-19
Before I studied Jude I did not realize how much 2 Peter aligned with the same message. In verse 2 Peter 3:3-4, it describes much of what we are witnessing.
“Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ He promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.””
2 Peter 3:3-4 NIV
Biblestudytools.com defines scoffing as a manifestation of contempt by insulting words or actions, combining bitterness with ridicule.
The end verses in the epistle, conclude with a sobering message. After all the warnings about false teachers, sexual immorality and abusing grace, Jude stresses that we are to have mercy.
WE ARE ALL UNIQUE
And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
Jude 1:22-23
Before I knew Jesus, I was wrapped up in sin, partying and drinking and not even realizing there was anything wrong with that. If a Christian had come to me back then, and explained to me that my actions were sinful and God did not like what I was doing, it would have been very helpful. Because the world told me what I was doing was fine. Sometimes I heard messages about Jesus’ forgiveness so I convinced myself that lifestyle was fine.
Not everyone is in the same boat. Some do not require a strong approach of pointing out sin and urging repentance. Some are believers who have begun to doubt and need reminding of God’s faithfulness with kindness and mercy. While others need a mixture of both.
HARPAZO
In verse 1:23, the word ‘snatching’ is actually a strong Greek word – harpazo (Strong’s G726), which can be translated to SEIZE. Meaning we should take sin very seriously in our attempt to lead people to Jesus. That’s why it takes all of us Christians because each person to be saved is unique. Some don’t know Jesus at all and need to know about sin and repentance, and some already know about the dangers of sin and need reminded about God’s forgiveness and love. And often it’s a combination of mercy and truth.
Another thing I love about Jude, is that even the ending is amazing. Instead of your typical ending which is seen in many of the epistles, it is a doxology (an expression of praise to God). The book of Jude is one of the most eye-opening epistles I have studied so far. I highly recommend reading and trying to memorize it, as well.
Every time I study the Holy Bible, I am amazed how much I can learn from a single verse. Almighty God has brilliantly woven the entire Bible together with His divine wisdom.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150:6
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