'I wish to remind you, although you know all things, that [the] Lord who once saved a people from the land of Egypt later destroyed those who did not believe. The angels too, who did not keep to their own domain but deserted their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains, in gloom, for the judgment of the great day. Likewise, Sodom, Gomorrah, and the surrounding towns, which, in the same manner as they, indulged in sexual promiscuity and practiced unnatural vice, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. Similarly, these dreamers nevertheless also defile the flesh, scorn lordship, and revile glorious beings. Yet the archangel Michael, when he argued with the devil in a dispute over the body of Moses, did not venture to pronounce a reviling judgment upon him but said, “May the Lord rebuke you!” But these people revile what they do not understand and are destroyed by what they know by nature like irrational animals. Woe to them! They followed the way of Cain, abandoned themselves to Balaam’s error for the sake of gain, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. These are blemishes on your love feasts, as they carouse fearlessly and look after themselves. They are waterless clouds blown about by winds, fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead and uprooted. They are like wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shameless deeds, wandering stars for whom the gloom of darkness has been reserved forever. Enoch, of the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied also about them when he said, “Behold, the Lord has come with his countless holy ones to execute judgment on all and to convict everyone for all the godless deeds that they committed and for all the harsh words godless sinners have uttered against him.” These people are complainers, disgruntled ones who live by their desires; their mouths utter bombast as they fawn over people to gain advantage (Jude 1:5-16).'
Jude wrote his letter to all churches in response to challenges to fundamental doctrine such as God’s authority. He reminds readers that the traditions of the Church have been handed on and should be remembered accurately (Jn. 2:22, Lk. 24:6). He used three examples of God’s just judgment on those who disobeyed Him - The unbelieving Israelites during the Exodus who perished in the desert; the Angels who rebelled against God fell from grace and were cast into hell (Gen 6:1-4) and God keeps them in chains until the day of Judgment; he made reference to the sin and punishment of Sodom and Gomorrah to whom he compared the false teachers. Those who blaspheme against God’s angels deny God and reject His authority. Legend holds that as Michael the archangel prepared to bury Moses’ body, the devil tried to take it from him but Michael prevented him and did not pronounce judgment against the devil. God did not pass judgment on the devil but Jude passed judgment against the heretics and placed a curse on them for their blasphemy. Cain denied God’s just judgment (Gen. 4:13), Balaam dishonored his prophetic office (Num. 22-24), and Korah rebelled against Moses (Num. 16) who represented God’s authority. God will likewise punish the heretics who are sterile, fruitless and condemned. Jude also linked the legends in the Book of Enoch, which had examples of disobedience and pride, as a prophesy against the godless heretics.
Almighty God, grant us the grace to spiritually discern truth and not be swayed by false doctrine which could lead us to blaspheme against you. Help us to avoid immorality and scandal so that we do not lead others to sin and undergo a punishment of eternal fire. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
References:
Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.
Jose M. Casciaro, Santiago Ausin, Gonzalo Aranda, Claudio Basevi, Vincente Balaguer, Francisco Varo, James Gavigan, Brian McCarthy & Thomas McGovern (Eds.). (2017). The Navarre Bible - New Testament. Dublin 8, Ireland: Four Courts Press.
Comments