Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - THE WAY OF...

 THE WAY OF...

The book of Jude is one of the shortest books in the Bible and is considered primarily as a book of warning. It tells us a great deal about what we should not do and is placed directly if front of the book of Revelation, which tells us what we can expect if the warnings are not heeded. It implores us to strive diligently for the faith which had been given to the saints and warns against those who have insidiously and surreptitiously tried to change the gospel message from its original. 

In this book, we are warned of three things in particular, especially if attempting to contend with Satan. It says:

Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain… 

(verse 11)

Cain was the one who killed his brother Abel, after Abel gave an offering from his flocks and Cain from his grain harvest and God rejected Cain’s sacrifice. But it was apparently not because Cain’s offering did not contain a blood sacrifice but because Cain did not display the faith that God needed.

By faith Abel offered to God more excellent sacrifice than Cain, 

through which he obtained witness that he was righteous… 

(Hebrews 11:4)

for

…without faith it is impossible to please Him… 

(Hebrews 11:6)

A religion without faith is vain and empty, and often leads to jealousy, persecution of the faithful and anger - a murderous anger - the way of Cain.

In addition, it says that men have run in the way or in the error of Balaam. The story of this prophet is told in the book of Numbers, chapters 22-25 and 31. Balaam was hired by King Balak to curse the Israelites and to help the Moabites overcome the advancing Israeli people. Balaam, in fact, ended up being unable to curse the Israelites. Instead, he blessed them under God’s direction. Even though Balaam could not fulfil his obligation to Balak, and God had warned him about going back to Balak, he persisted because he was desirous of the rich reward he had been promised by Balak. And since he seemed unable to curse the Israelites, Balaam decided to deceive them by sending young women into the Jewish camp and leading them into fornication and adultery. As a result, God would curse the Israelites Himself. And so Balaam was guilty of leading others into sin and all for the love of money.

And finally it says that certain men have… 

perished in the rebellion of Korah.

(verse 11)

Korah was a Levite and a prominent man in Israel but one who evidently resented the authority given to Moses and Aaron by God. He wanted the authority and ministry for himself, similar to that wanted by Satan from God. As Satan tried to supplant God, so Korah wanted to replace Moses and take over his authority. God apparently does not appreciate it when we try to replace His appointed. He evidently would like us to do what He has requested us to do and not try to be something other than what He has called us to be. Korah’s rebellion led to the  destruction of Korah and his followers because they tried to usurp God’s authority and his appointed. If one looks carefully, the same type of situations still occur today with similar results.

So, the Bible indicates that men have crept in and have gone the way of Cain with false faith, increasing anger, and jealousy against those who have true belief. It implies that men have followed the ways of Balaam, and have exchanged integrity and conviction for deceit and corruption; often for the sake of money or they have tried to usurp power and authority over the ones designated for such positions. It seems to be the way of the world rather than following the way of Christ, which is humility and surrender. We all have to determine the way for ourselves. Perhaps this is why initially Christians were deemed to be members of “The Way.” Going the way of the true gospel is something we should all think about.