Please read the followng verses.
Genesis 4:8-9 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
Numbers 31:16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.
Numbers 16:1-2 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:
Numbers 16:5 And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.
Numbers 16:31-33 And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.
Jude Vs.11 Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error; they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion.
One little verse, yet there is lot presented. Look at the three great facts mentioned in this little verse, by Jude, the half-brother of Jesus Christ. Humble in nature, Jude, identifies himself, in Jude Verse 1 as “the servant of Jesus Christ”, and “brother of James”, rather than as the half-brother of Jesus Christ. Every little verse he wrote in his epistle carries a great meaning and meditation.
Verse 11 presents three great truths.
Firstly, Jude warns “those who have taken the way of Cain”...
What is this “have taken the way of Cain?”
Cain kills Abel. This is the first murder recorded in the Bible. Cain not only killed Abel, but he also answers God saying, “Am I my brother's keeper?”
Secondly, Jude warns, “and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward,” (KJV)
What is this, “and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward?’
Balaam appeared to be working for God; inwardly he had a great desire of making money. King Balak enticed Prophet Balaam into making money by cursing the children of God, Israelites. Balaam refused to go with Balak at the first instance, but they he yielded to the temptation Numbers Chapter 22 and 23 present the entire story of Balaam falling victim to the temptation of making money. Jude warns of such people of God, who try to make money in the name of working for God.
Thirdly, “they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion.” (NIV)
What is this, “they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion?”
Korah along with two hundred and fifty princes, and few more Israelites rebelled against Moses, the servant of God, questioning was that the only one to lead Israelites. Moses then chooses to give proof that he was chosen by God, and while he was taking God punished who rebelled against Moses, the God’s servant. Korah and his associates were swallowed by the earth.
Brothers and Sisters,
These warnings are applicable to all of us.
Let us introspect as to whether we are calling our brothers as, “RACA”, or FOOLS, which according to Jesus is murder, the first murder that is recorded in the Bible, and in addition are we also saying, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Let us introspect as to whether we are running greedily after the error of Balaam for reward,
And, Let also introspect as to whether we are rebelling against God’s servant, just as Korah did, which would certainly result in great punishment.
Today is the day of Salvation. Please accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, and your Lord, to enter in to the Kingdom of God.
Salvation is available freely for all who believe in Jesus Christ, confess his/her sins to Him, and accept Jesus Christ as his/her personal Savior and acknowledge Him as his/her Lord.
Today is the day of salvation. Please confess your sins to Jesus Christ and be blessed. Receive Salvation and eternal life. Jesus is the Way, the truth, and the life. I pray for you that God may have compassion on you.
I appreciate your visit to my web site.
God bless you.
|