Lesson 7

Jude

Maintaining the Faith Entrusted to Us

 

Summary  Observations 1:7

1. The angels of Gen. 6 and the people of S&G  shared a similar sin. They both crossed over a divinely established barrier; which in both cases involved sexuality.

 

2. The phrase "pursued after strange flesh" describes the angelic fornication as well as the homosexual vice of S&G.

 

3. Both groups turned from the right way, God's design, by their own choice and intensely pursued that which was against nature. Rom 1:26-27  [homosexuality is a sin nature problem, not an alternate lifestyle]

 

4. Both Peter and Jude declare that the total destruction of S&G [south end of the Dead Sea] is a continuous warning to mankind of God's judgment on those who violate His standards.

 

5. They suffered in time for their rebellion against God,  before God judged the cites.

- Gen. 19:11; struck with blindness, still actively pursued their lusts

 

6. They are today in conscious suffering [torments] in Hades, Sheol while awaiting the 2nd resurrection and GWTJ.  [Lk. 16:22-24]

 

7. Their eternal punishment in LOF is the result of their rebellion and rejection of God, failed to believe. 

 

8. Warning here is this: Remember S&G; Know that God judges sin and unbelief.

 

 

1:8  Turns back to address the current problem with false teachers and their apostasy

Yet in the same manner these men

 

 

also by dreaming,  defile the flesh,  and reject authority,  and revile angelic majesties.

 

- by dreaming,  not the usual word for dreams,

 

 

- defile the flesh   miai,nw  to pollute, to stain, to defile;

 

 

- and reject authority   avqete,w   to do away with something laid down, prescribed, established; idea is to set aside, to nullify, despise, to not recognize as valid.

 

 

- authority   kurio,thj ;  used of one who possesses authority or dominion over another  

 

 

- and revile angelic majesties    blasfhme,w   they have a continuous attitude that is expressed in blasphemy

 

 

What we should have learned!

 

1. Their spiritual blindness, resulting from the persistent OSN rulership places them in a fantasy world divorced from reality.

 

 

2. Even understanding that God's justice has dealt with well known apostasy in the past does not deter these present day apostates.

 

 

3. They promote sexual immorality  [normal and abnormal]  which results in the breakdown of divine institution of marriage; which leads to the destruction of families and ultimately to the health of a nation.

 

 

4. They are quick to reject established authority especially when it conflicts with their own objectives.

 

 

5. Their arrogance is demonstrated by their rejection of the authority of God and His Word and by distorting it to suit their own preconceived ideas and agenda.

 

 

 

1:9  Contrast is now drawn between these false teachers and Michael the Archangel

 

But Michael the archangel,     name means  "who is like God"   laek'ymi

 

 

 

Circumstances in view:  when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses

 

 

 

did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you."

 

 

 

 

Observations:

1. Moses knew that his trip to Mt. Nebo was his last, that he would not return.  Dt. 32:48-52

 

 

 

2. It's not stated explicitly, but I believe that Michael was in attendance with the Lord when Moses was buried. [only recorded in Dt. 34:6]

 

3. There is a pseudopigraphal book "Assumption of Moses" written in the first century which contained an account of Moses' death and Michael's dispute with Satan.

 

 

 

4. From Clement of Alexandria,  we can gleam some info from the "Assumption of Moses."  [tradition that was commonly believed at the time]

a. Michael was commissioned by the Lord to bury Moses.

 

b. Satan opposed his burial on 2 grounds.

1. He claimed that since he was the lord of matter, the god of this world the body should be turned over to him.

 

2. Charged Moses with being a murderer; 

Ex. 2:12;   killed the Egyptian who had beaten one of the Israelites

Numb. 16:41 his own people charged that "you [Moses and Aaron] are the ones who have caused the death of the Lord's people."

 

c. Michael in responding to the claims of Satan said, "the Lord rebuke you"

 

d. He was buried in a valley in the land of Moab where no man knew!

 

Note:  Jewish tradition is that Moses' body saw no corruption; in fact Josephus stated that Joshua and Caleb saw him taken to heaven. [this contradicts Scripture]

 

 

5. Michael did not dispute or argue with Satan on the basis of his own position and power as an archangel, which was great, but left Satan to the Lord to deal with. [Vengeance is mine I will repay says the Lord]

 

 

 

6. He recognized the importance of God's timing in the exercise of His justice, and Michael left the judgement to Him.

 

 

 

7. Just as Michael, when we are confronted by apostate false teachers, who ridicule the Word of God we need to leave them to Divine Justice.