Jude supplies three examples of God’s judgment against sin. The illustrations are drawn from the Old Testament and support Jude’s warning of condemnation on the ungodly men spoken of in verse 4. He assumes his readers will be familiar with these passages but wisely reminds them again of their message. Jude uses past precedent to anticipate God’s future dealings with sinners.  Destroyed for not believing Jude’s chosen examples are both pertinent and powerful. He reminds his readers how the people of Israel were at first saved out of Egypt only to die in the wilderness over a period of forty years because of their unbelief. Only Joshua and Caleb from the original exodus were permitted to enter Canaan. These people did not simply die. Jude’s…

In verse four Jude explains why believers must earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. It is because ungodly men, as tares among the wheat, have slipped undetected into the body of the professing church. Having ingratiated themselves with church members they openly oppose the truth of the gospel. These unnamed deceivers were already at work amongst the Lord’s people in Jude’s day. We may assume they still continue to this today.  Prominent imposters Despite these men being characterised by Jude as ungodly we shall learn from later verses they had become influential voices in otherwise faithful congregations. They were active participants in the fellowship meals of the church. Jude’s counsel is for the Lord’s people to examine themselves to ensure that…