Jude 5-7

Jude 5-7

And I desire to remind you all, having known all: that after the Lord saved the people once for all out of Egypt He subsequently destroyed the ones who did not believe.  And He has kept the angels who did not keep their place of influence but rather after deserting their own dwelling into a judgment of a great day by eternal bonds under a deep gloom.  In the same way Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them – after engaging in sexual immorality and after pursuing flesh other than that which is normal – exist as an example of eternal fire while being subject to punishment.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Jude makes three extraordinary points to his audience.  The first is a reminder about the wicked generation.  God saved all of His people in Egypt.  Yet they refused to obey and believe.  So God destroyed the vast majority of them in the desert.  Jude point is that just because God wants us to be saved doesn’t mean that we are automatically in.  We can reject God.  God blesses us time and time again, but we don’t necessarily receive it!  We must be careful to continue in relationship with God and humble ourselves to him.

Why is it important to remember the experience of the wicked generation that died in the wilderness after being rescued from oppression in Egypt?  What do you think Jude’s point is in focusing his audience to these people?

Second Thought:

Jude’s second point is about order of creation. The angels were created to be in the presence of God.  Yet some of them cast off that designation.  They were cast out of heaven and await judgment.  Likewise, human beings are the pinnacle of creation.  But just because we are in an elevated position doesn’t mean that we have it made.  We should not think that we cannot do wrong or cannot lose our place in God’s eyes because of our position in creation.

Do you ever think yourself superior to the rest of creation?  Does this superiority ever lead you to think that you can do no wrong?  Does this superiority ever lead you to a blind spot in your sin?

Third Thought:

The last example that Jude tells us is the familiar story of Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding area.  They followed their own desires and paid the price.  They sought to satisfy their passion and paid the price.  They decided that they could determine right and wrong for themselves and found themselves on the wrong side of the line.  We can learn from their example, too.

What can we learn from the story of Sodom and Gomorrah?  Why is this an important lesson to learn?

Passage for Tomorrow: Jude 8-13