Jude 11-13 - Woe to them!

1:11

Jude now lists three examples of people in the Old Testament who were deeply misguided. Cain (Gen 4:5-8) who killed his brother Abel, Balaam (Num 22:5-7) who sold himself as a “prophet for hire”, and Korah (Num 16) who led a rebellion against Moses. From each of these examples Jude draws a different point. He talks about walking in the way of Cain. Abel gave his firstfruits to God, Cain gave something as a religious duty, his heart was not really for God. If you look at false teachers it is often obvious that they do not love Jesus. They may view Jesus as an example or an idea (usually formed in the image of the false teacher), but they do not love the living Lord. Balaam sought personal gain rather than serving the Lord. This is something that can happen all too often. Note that he actually was a prophet and did actually hear from God, yet he then became a prophet for hire. This is something that is all too common. The most obvious examples are some prosperity teachers, but it can happen in more subtle ways as well. We must always seek first the kingdom of God. Then Korah is given as an example of God’s treatment of rebels.

1:12,13

A whole series of metaphors are used to describe the false teachers. It is quite clear that Jude had a very low opinion of them! The false teachers are wolves in sheep’s clothing. They live among the church, pretending to be Christians, even sharing in the church’s “love feasts”. The likely format of these love feasts was a meal, followed by preaching and then communion. True leaders and teachers in the church are there to feed and care for the flock, false teachers look after their own interests. They might promise much, but they deliver nothing. See how vivid Jude is in his language. Utter darkness is their destiny. For far too long the church has been far too tolerant of false teachers and false teachings. We are utter fools if we allow ourselves to be taken in by false teachings. We should judge everything by the word of God.