Jude part 3
Intro
Did Satan and the fallen angels have free will?
Third, the intruders “slander celestial beings.”
Second, the opponents also “reject authority.” One could see a reference here to the rejection of human authorities, whether to church or governmental leaders. But the term kyriotēs never has this meaning in the Septuagint or the New Testament, and we would expect a plural if human authorities were intended. Alternatively, the reference could be to angelic powers
The phrase “defile the flesh” to describe sexual sin is also found (Sib. Or. 2:279; Herm. Mand. 29:9; Sim. 60:2). Naturally the opponents did not think they were defiling the flesh. Presumably, they appealed to their dreams to say that their sexual freedom was from God himself, that they transcended moral norms.
The opponents insulted glorious angels who were demons, but Michael was so humble that he did not presume to condemn the devil but asked the Lord to rebuke him. The
God’s word brings forgiveness, illustrated by the clean garments with which Joshua was clothed. As Kee has shown, the Lord was not merely reprimanding Satan so that the story merely concludes with a verbal rebuke. Rather, the Lord’s verdict was effective, sealing Satan’s defeat in the courtroom and declaring Joshua’s vindication. Those whom the Lord has chosen are vindicated in his sight (Zech 3:2, 4–5).
The intruders believed they understood heavenly things, but they were far out of their depth. The one thing they did understand, however, was the power of physical appetites. Their physical desires urged them on daily, and like irrational animals they were driven by sexual instinct rather than reason. Jude’s language is highly ironic here, for presumably the intruders claimed a knowledge of heavenly matters, but their comprehension of truth did not exceed that of animals. Indeed by following their instincts they will be destroyed (phtheirontai). The destruction envisioned is not temporal (cf. 1 Cor 3:13; 2 Pet 2:12). Jude thought of their eternal judgment, when they will pay the consequences for being enslaved to their sinful desires, the only thing these people understood well.
The term “archangel” designates Michael’s authority and prominence. In Dan 10:13, 21 he is designated as a “prince” (archōn)—as “the great prince” (ho archōn ho megas, Theodotion) in Dan 12:1. In Revelation he leads the battle against the dragon and the evil angels (Rev 12:7). His prominence continues in other Jewish literature (1QM 9:16; 1 Enoch 9:1; 10:11; 20:5; 24:6).
Instead, Cain was naturally chosen in that he is an example of a person who chose wickedness over goodness. When God confronted him about his evil sacrifice (Gen 4:6–8), Cain grew angry and killed his brother instead of repenting. Cain became, therefore, an example of sin and envy in subsequent literature
In vv. 12–13 Jude again used a triad, seeing these three men as types of the opponents infiltrating the church. Jude applied the woe oracle to the adversaries using the word “these” (houtoi). Thereby he brought the three dangers of the adversaries to the attention of the readers. They were hidden reefs in the love feasts; that is, the danger they posed was not immediately apparent, and hence they were as perilous as rocks that cause shipwreck when a ship is seeking harbor. They ate together with other church members shamelessly, fearing no judgment. Finally, they were leaders who did not shepherd the flock but only themselves, showing that they were bogus shepherds. Jude closed this section with four illustrations drawn from nature that depict the character of the opponents. Four different spheres of the natural world illustrate Jude’s point: the clouds of the sky, the agricultural produce of the earth, the stormy sea, and the planets of the stellar regions. In the first two realms Jude criticized the teachers for not producing what they promised. They were long on words and short on substance.
Jude saw a parallel between Balaam and the opponents, for like Balaam “they poured themselves out” (“have rushed,” NIV) for the sake of money
The last type hearkens back to Korah and his rebellion in the Old Testament (Numbers 16; cf. Ps 106:16–18; Sir 45:18–19; cf. 1 Clem. 51:1–4). Once again we have a hint that the opponents were leaders since Korah had a priestly position but resented the authority of Moses and Aaron over him
Peter called them spots and blemishes (2 Peter 2:13). These men had invaded the “love feasts” in the local assemblies, but all they did was defile them. Instead of adding to the sanctity of the occasion, they detracted from it, like Judas at the last Passover that Jesus celebrated with His disciples. The tragedy is that the members of the assembly did not realize the true character of these men! They thought the men were spiritual!
Filthy spots (v. 12a). Peter called them spots and blemishes (2 Peter 2:13). These men had invaded the “love feasts” in the local assemblies, but all they did was defile them. Instead of adding to the sanctity of the occasion, they detracted from it, like Judas at the last Passover that Jesus celebrated with His disciples. The tragedy is that the members of the assembly did not realize the true character of these men! They thought the men were spiritual!
The Greek word translated “spots” can also mean “hidden rocks.” The mariner who is unaware of the hidden rocks can quickly wreck his ship. The pilot must always be alert, for waters that look calm and safe can contain treacherous reefs. Spiritual leaders must constantly be on guard.
Selfish shepherds (v. 12b). The word translated “feeding” means “shepherding.” Instead of shepherding the flock and caring for the needs of the people, these apostates only take care of themselves. Jude may have had in mind Isaiah 56:10–12 and Ezekiel 34, where the prophets condemned the political and spiritual leaders of the nation (“shepherds”) for exploiting the people and caring only for themselves.
It is a serious thing to be a shepherd over God’s flock. Our example must be Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep. False shepherds use and abuse people in order to get what they want, and yet all the while, the people love it! Paul marveled at this when he wrote 2 Corinthians 11:20—“You don’t mind, do you, if a man takes away your liberty, spends your money, takes advantage of you, puts on airs, or even smacks your face?” (PH)
These selfish shepherds do all of this “without fear.” They are an arrogant lot! This is the difference between a true shepherd and a hireling: the true shepherd cares for the sheep, while the hireling cares only for himself. “Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?” (Ezek. 34:2) But these apostates ought to be afraid, for their judgment is coming.
Empty clouds (v. 12c). Clouds that promise rain, but fail to produce, are a disappointment to the farmer whose crops desperately need water. The apostates look like men who can give spiritual help, and they boast of their abilities, but they are unable to produce. “Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift [a gift he does not give] is like clouds and wind without rain” (Prov. 25:14). They promise liberty, but they can only give bondage (2 Peter 2:19).
Dead trees (v. 12d). The picture is that of an orchard in autumn, the time when the farmer expects fruit. But these trees are fruitless! “Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matt. 7:16). Those who teach and preach the Word have the responsibility of feeding others, but the false teachers have nothing to give. Not only are they fruitless, but they are also rootless (“plucked up by the root”); this is why they are “twice dead.” What a contrast to the godly man in Psalm 1:3!
But Jude compared the apostates to “raging waves of the sea” not because of their power, but because of their pride and arrogant speech. “Their mouth speaketh great swelling words” (Jude 16)
Jude was not referring to fixed stars, planets, or comets, because they have definite positions and orbits. He was referring to meteors, falling stars that suddenly appear and then vanish into the darkness, never to be seen again. Our Lord is compared to a star (Rev. 2:28; 22:16), and Christians are to shine as stars in this dark world (Phil. 2:15). Fixed stars can be depended on to guide the traveler through the darkness, but wandering stars can only lead him astray.
Jude may have had Isaiah 57:20 in mind: “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.” All that the “great swelling words” of the apostates can produce is foam and flotsam! The true teachers of the Word bring up the treasures of the deep, but the false teachers produce only refuse
Jude was not referring to fixed stars, planets, or comets, because they have definite positions and orbits. He was referring to meteors, falling stars that suddenly appear and then vanish into the darkness, never to be seen again. Our Lord is compared to a star (Rev. 2:28; 22:16), and Christians are to shine as stars in this dark world (Phil. 2:15). Fixed stars can be depended on to guide the traveler through the darkness, but wandering stars can only lead him astray.