JUN 16

Jude 5-16
Memorise Jude 14-15
“…wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever…”

Jude goes on to elaborate on these “ungodly men” by using vivid analogies and examples from the Bible. In each example, he shows how God judges these rebels perfectly, with punishments meted out in accordance to their wrongdoings. In verses 5-6, he likens them to the Israelites in the wilderness who were killed because of their unbelief regarding God’s promises and to the fallen angels who will be judged. These two groups started off seemingly following God, when in actual fact they were never on God’s side. These “ungodly men” were also self-proclaimed Christians but their hearts revealed otherwise. They promoted sins like homosexuality and fornication and will be punished as Sodom and Gomorrha were.

They also had no respect for church authority which is given by God alone and would “despise” and “speak evil” of them (v.8). This is in contrast to Michael the archangel who dared not even accuse the devil when they disputed about the body of Moses but left the judgment to God (v.9). These “ungodly men” accuse God’s servants out of ignorance and stupidity and as a result, end up corrupting themselves (v.10).

They have their own self-styled religion, thinking they can come to God on their own terms like Cain (Genesis 4:5). They covet money and riches above speaking God’s truth like Balaam (Numbers 22:7). They cause strife and rebel against authority like how Korah, also known as Core, and his company, did against Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16:1). They speak great swelling words but have no substance or fruit useful to God. Jude likens them to “clouds without water”, “trees whose fruit withereth”, “raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame” and “wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever”. They are “murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts” and desire the praise of men rather than God’s. The descriptive analogies cited by Jude highlight God’s hatred of these men and their impending judgment.

Thus with all these vivid examples and systematic, irrefutable warnings from the Word of God, Jude highlights the grave dangers that these false teachers present. Reading through this middle section of the book of Jude, the reader is suitably cautioned to take heed, and would certainly pay attention to the next section, as Jude then gives wise godly counsel as to what we must do in response!

Thought: Read through the OT accounts of Cain, Balaam and Korah. Compare them with the “ungodly men” in Jude.
Prayer: Lord, protect Thy church from these ungodly men. Help us to identify and speak against them.