JUDE: WEEK 2 DAY 2
Jude 1:11 (& Numbers 16)
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
Today we will look at the person Jude mentions named Korah. Korah was from the same family line as Moses and Aaron. One day, Korah decided that he would be a better leader for God’s people than Moses and Aaron. He incited 250 others against them. Moses was heartbroken at this, and God was angry. God destroyed Korah and those who rebelled against Moses by causing the earth to open and swallow them up.
We don’t throw around the word “woe” a lot these days. Jude was exclaiming “how dreadful for them!” (Jude 1:11). Interestingly, he was not saying how dreadful for the people attacked by the ungodly, but he was saying how dreadful it would be for those who behave in this sinister way. The ungodly people who had snuck into churches and caused others to undercut God’s appointed leaders had to be warned. Those bringing false doctrine are often marked with pride, selfishness, greed, jealousy, and a lust for power. Like Korah, they will often accuse others of the very thing they are doing. Korah said Moses and Aaron had exalted themselves above God, but in fact, Korah was doing just that when he incited people against God’s appointed leaders.
What can we learn from this? Is it wrong to question leaders? Not at all as we are to look for the fruit within a leader's life. If there is bad fruit, we are responsible to go to them and confront the issue in love. We are not, however, to attack the leaders God has put in place. We are not to whisper doubts about them, question their motives in gossip sessions, or criticize them to anyone who will listen. Usually, the people who use these tactics are not motivated by truth, but by a personal selfish agenda.
The next time you feel that you are criticizing someone else, ask yourself:
Have I talked to the person directly, in love?
Do I feel this way because they shared something from God’s Word that convicted me, and I am defensive?
Am I jealous of their position, power, or authority?