Last Friday the kids and I read the book of Jude for our morning devotional. If you are not familiar with this book it is found in the New Testament scriptures. It is the last book before Revelation. Jude is a very short book of the Bible, it is only 25 verses long. When the scriptures were originally written they were not divided into chapters and verses. They were just written down as an author would write any letter, poem, historical record, story, or document down.
The book of Jude is a short letter written by a man who refers to himself as Jude, the brother of James. Most historians believe it is actually the half brother of Yeshua, as mentioned in the book of Matthew as Judas. Yet, no one actually knows for certain who this “Jude” is. We can gain from the letter that the writer was alive at the same time as Messiah Yeshua’s time on earth and his death and resurrection. The approximate time of the writing of this letter is around 60-64 AD.
The letter is written to those who are called sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Yeshua Messiah. As we continue to read the letter we can clearly see that Jude is writing to a people group that know and understand the culture and history of God’s people. He speaks of events that only the ancestors of Abraham would have knowledge of through the passing down of the stories and traditions of their heritage. In fact, in this letter Jude speaks of things that we today have no knowledge or understanding about. They are things not even mentioned in the earlier scriptures of the Old testament, nor can we find the information in the earlier books of the New testament.
So, why is this letter with confusing and misleading information a part of the Sacred Bible, the Word of God?
The answer is simply that God saw fit to include it. There are principles and concepts in this letter that can encourage and guide us in our walk with Yehovah. Therefore, it is included for our benefit, and the benefit of the Kingdom.
Sadly, many people for many generations have gotten caught up on the parts of this letter that we do not fully understand because we do not know of which Jude is referencing, and these people miss the point of the letter all together.
We are not called to or advised to seek out the story of Enoch, not the story of Michael the Angel arguing with the devil, or any other referred to story in the letter. Rather what we are to focus on in this letter is the building up of our faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, the love of the Yehovah, and with discernment having compassion on those whom He leads us to have compassion, and pulling those who are falling into sin and worldliness out of the fire that is sure to consume them.
This little letter from Jude is not a secret message with hidden meaning for us to decipher, but rather it is a simple and direct message to the sanctified, the cleansed, the pure, the Holy, and upright ones to have mercy and compassion on those who are being pulled into the filth of this world.
When we see people grumbling, complaining, walking in their own lusts, and boasting of their own greatness, flattering and causing confusion and division amongst the people of God. These people are headed for eternal judgement. They may be in our midst and at our feasts and they may appear to be blessed and spotless. But, indeed, these people are hiding their filthy garments.
As I read this passage of scripture to my children. I asked myself and them, “Are we hiding our filthy rages, under white robes?” Are we keeping God’s feast and sabbaths, and following His law on the outside, but inside we are seeking only what we want? Are we only seeking the blessings of God, and the glory of men, or are we allowing God through His love and mercy to cleanse us from all filthiness and unrighteousness? Do we really want the gift of right living that Yeshua came to give us?
These are hard questions, but they are indeed the point of the book of Jude. Jude did not reference Enoch, Michael, Egypt, or Cain so that we would go looking for obscure hidden knowledge.
NO!
Jude had a clear message, and that message is this:
The Grace of Messiah is not a license for sin, and the day of Judgement will come for all, so build yourself and others up in the faith and love of our Messiah.
Perfect timing for today, I had been pointing out sin and building another believer up as I was reading this and I thought wow, Yehovah had timed all of this so perfectly. There were 3 occurrences that validated exactly what had been on my heart. I really believe that right now He is searching our hearts and unveiling some things to us personally that have been covered for some time. (Thanking Him that it’s gentle. Sometimes it really hurts!) While I point out sin in another believer and encourage them to be on the good path, I’m also checking myself, as you’re giving words to me. Good stuff! Thanks
Katie has written:
Shannyn, you are such a blessing to me. It is a honor to know you, grow with you, and serve with you. Shalom
Suzanna has written:
I’m confused. How can this book (Jude) be written 60-64BC? Is this a typo and you meant AD?
Perfect timing for today, I had been pointing out sin and building another believer up as I was reading this and I thought wow, Yehovah had timed all of this so perfectly. There were 3 occurrences that validated exactly what had been on my heart. I really believe that right now He is searching our hearts and unveiling some things to us personally that have been covered for some time. (Thanking Him that it’s gentle. Sometimes it really hurts!) While I point out sin in another believer and encourage them to be on the good path, I’m also checking myself, as you’re giving words to me. Good stuff! Thanks
Shannyn, you are such a blessing to me. It is a honor to know you, grow with you, and serve with you. Shalom
I’m confused. How can this book (Jude) be written 60-64BC? Is this a typo and you meant AD?
Yes, a typo. Thank you. Shalom