Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Van Sprague

Jude warned the people of his day about false teachers and described characteristics by which they can still be identified. He gave three historical examples in verse eleven of his letter.

“Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.” (Unless otherwise stated: Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Used by permission. All rights reserved.)

What flaw did these have in common, and what can we learn to avoid similar consequences?

First of all, Cain murdered his brother, Abel. But why? Because the Lord did not accept his sacrifice (Genesis 4:1-8). According to Hebrews 11:4, Abel’s sacrifice was better than Cain’s because it was by faith, and God’s approval of it was viewed as a testimony of Abel’s righteousness. Such faith comes by obedience in response to hearing the Word of God. It saves. It justifies. It is counted by God as righteousness (Romans 1:17; 4:1-3; 10:17).

If God considered Abel’s sacrifice righteous, it means that God had told Cain and Abel what He expected in a sacrifice. Abel obeyed, but Cain did not. Instead of repenting, and submitting to God’s authority, Cain harbored hatred for his brother and killed him, condemning himself in the process (Genesis 4:9-15; 1 John 3:11-12).

Next, the account of Balaam can be found in Numbers 22-24. He repeatedly told Balak, the king of Moab, that he would only say what the Lord said. That seems good, but the events recorded in chapter 25, 31:8, 16, and the insight given in Jude 11 and Revelation 2:14, tell a bigger story. While he might have repeated the words God said, he was motivated by what he could gain. So, he looked for any opportunity he could to profit off of the king’s offer. In the end, he collaborated with the king in a scheme that led Israel into idolatry.

Jude’s final example was Korah. The Lord spoke to Moses face to face (Exodus 33:11) and delivered the Old Law through him (John 7:19). Aaron was a descendant of Kohath through Amram (Numbers 3:19). His was the only Levitical family chosen to give the offerings, on behalf of the children of Israel, in the sanctuary (18:1-7). Aaron’s cousins (the rest of the Kohathites) and their families were charged with other work. While the rest of the Kohathites were responsible for moving the furniture of the tabernacle, they were not permitted to make offerings, and they were subject to Aaron and his descendants (3:30-32).

Korah, a cousin of Aaron’s, took issue with the authority God gave Moses and Aaron. He led a protest and challenged their position. God caused the earth to open and consume Korah, the men who were with him, their households, and all of their things (Numbers 16:1-40).

What factor connects these three examples? Ultimately, they all rejected God’s authority (Jude 8). Cain didn’t worship as God had said and he killed his brother rather than his desires. Baalam said what God said, but he didn’t want to do what God wanted. Korah divided his family – God’s people – because he didn’t like the role he was given. They all suffered for their disobedience. We can look at each instance and learn what to avoid so we don’t meet similar fates.

Van Sprague is an evangelist at the Church of Christ at Houston Park. He has a wife and three children. Come Visit! Sunday morning Bible class is at 9, with worship after, at 10 and 5 pm. Wednesday night Bible class is at 6.