JUDE: WEEK 2 DAY 4

Jude 1:12-13 (& Isaiah 57:20; Ezekiel 34:2; Proverbs 25:14)

12 These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.

I read a hilarious little book once called Shakespearean Insults. The Bard definitely had a way with words. In these two verses, Jude as well used eloquence to cut to the core of these ungodly people. Let’s look at a few references that are used in other places in the Bible as well.

Shepherds who feed only themselves: Ezekiel 34:2

God harshly rebuked the religious leaders through the prophet Ezekiel. Instead of caring for and protecting the people, they served and indulged themselves. In a similar way, these spies peddling false doctrine in Jude’s day came in proud and even boastful of their bad behavior, not caring who they hurt on their way to the top.

Clouds without rain: Proverbs 25:14

Jude warned about people who promise a lot but never deliver. People who can talk a good game, but leave you feeling empty; they look like trees, but have no fruit. The reason? They are dead inside. They do not produce the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. 

Wild waves on the sea: Isaiah 57:20

The ungodly produce chaos and strife. They cause divisions and turmoil. They interrupt the steady flow of ministry in order to distract from the Gospel purpose of the church.

Remember, the enemy hates God and hates the advance of the Gospel. If you are working to share the love of Jesus in your life and your church, be ready for attack. If you find yourself worked up by distractions and division, step back and ask what Satan is trying to distract you from.