To convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him

Jude writes to the believers reminding them to contend with their faith. He warns of God's judgment on the unbelievers by using several examples including the Israelites after they came out of Egypt and the judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. It is also interesting that Jude reveals a glimpse of the conflict in the heavenly realm by mentioning God will judge the angels who have left heaven to pursue evil. There is also mention of the conflict between the archangel Michael and the Enemy.

Jude mentions prophecies by Enoch, also emphasising that Enoch is the seventh generation from Adam. Enoch had prophecies about judgment of God on the ungodly unbelievers who carry on their business with no regard for God. They typically enjoy their life and success and are interested in their self-interests. They are also the grumblers, complainers and mockers of God. Jude encourages us to build ourselves up in faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, love God, look for the merch of Jesus, have compassion on others and trying to save others.


Jude 1
Greeting to the Called

1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,

To those who are called, sanctified[a] by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:

2 Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Contend for the Faith

3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God[b] and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Old and New Apostates

5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; 7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

Apostates Depraved and Doomed

12 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about[c] by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; 13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”

Apostates Predicted

16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.

Maintain Your Life with God

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction;[d] 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire,[e] hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

Glory to God

24 Now to Him who is able to keep you[f] from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To God our Savior,[g]
Who alone is wise,[h]
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,[i]
Both now and forever.
Amen.

Balaam's Blessings and Prophecies

It is revealed here that Balaam had previously used sorcery but he also knew and communicated with God. On this occassion, God again used Balaam to speak an incredible blessing on Israel. Balaam later explained to an angry Balak that he had to speak what God moved him to speak. Following that, Balaam also spoke a final prophecy which may yet come to pass.



Numbers 24

 1 Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times, to seek to use sorcery, but he set his face toward the wilderness. 2 And Balaam raised his eyes, and saw Israel encamped according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him.
3 Then he took up his oracle and said:

      “The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor,
      The utterance of the man whose eyes are opened,

 4 The utterance of him who hears the words of God,
      Who sees the vision of the Almighty,
      Who falls down, with eyes wide open:

 5 “How lovely are your tents, O Jacob!
      Your dwellings, O Israel!

 6 Like valleys that stretch out,
      Like gardens by the riverside,
      Like aloes planted by the LORD,
      Like cedars beside the waters.

 7 He shall pour water from his buckets,
      And his seed shall be in many waters.

      “His king shall be higher than Agag,
      And his kingdom shall be exalted.

 8 “God brings him out of Egypt;
      He has strength like a wild ox;
      He shall consume the nations, his enemies;
      He shall break their bones
      And pierce them with his arrows.

 9 ‘He bows down, he lies down as a lion;
      And as a lion, who shall rouse him?’[a]

      “ Blessed is he who blesses you,
      And cursed is he who curses you.”
10 Then Balak’s anger was aroused against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and look, you have bountifully blessed them these three times! 11 Now therefore, flee to your place. I said I would greatly honor you, but in fact, the LORD has kept you back from honor.”
12 So Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not also speak to your messengers whom you sent to me, saying, 13 ‘If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the LORD, to do good or bad of my own will. What the LORD says, that I must speak’? 14 And now, indeed, I am going to my people. Come, I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the latter days.”

Balaam’s Fourth Prophecy
  
15 So he took up his oracle and said:

      “The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor,
      And the utterance of the man whose eyes are opened;
 16 The utterance of him who hears the words of God,
      And has the knowledge of the Most High,
      Who sees the vision of the Almighty,
      Who falls down, with eyes wide open:

 17 “I see Him, but not now;
      I behold Him, but not near;
      A Star shall come out of Jacob;
      A Scepter shall rise out of Israel,
      And batter the brow of Moab,
      And destroy all the sons of tumult.[b]

 18 “And Edom shall be a possession;
      Seir also, his enemies, shall be a possession,
      While Israel does valiantly.

 19 Out of Jacob One shall have dominion,
      And destroy the remains of the city.”
20 Then he looked on Amalek, and he took up his oracle and said:

      “ Amalek was first among the nations,
      But shall be last until he perishes.”
21 Then he looked on the Kenites, and he took up his oracle and said:

      “Firm is your dwelling place,
      And your nest is set in the rock;

 22 Nevertheless Kain shall be burned.
      How long until Asshur carries you away captive?”
23 Then he took up his oracle and said:

      “Alas! Who shall live when God does this?

 24 But ships shall come from the coasts of Cyprus,[c]
      And they shall afflict Asshur and afflict Eber,
      And so shall Amalek,[d] until he perishes.”
25 So Balaam rose and departed and returned to his place; Balak also went his way.

Balaam's Prophecies

Balaam finally met Balak the king of Moab who asked Balaam to curse Israel. Balaam went to seek God for a decision whether to curse Israel or not. God told Balaam exactly what to say to Balak, which is basically praises on Israel. Balak tried a second time and asked Balaam to curse Israel, after bringing him to a place where they can see Israel. Again God made it clear that it was Him who brought them out of Egypt and guiding them.

Again it is ironic to see Balak seeking out God to destroy Israel, yet not understanding that God had a special purpose for Israel. Is this scenario perhaps like Christians who although know God, but do not know His will, and consequently praying for things opposing God's will.


Numbers 23

 1 Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build seven altars for me here, and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams.”
2 And Balak did just as Balaam had spoken, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar. 3 Then Balaam said to Balak, “Stand by your burnt offering, and I will go; perhaps the LORD will come to meet me, and whatever He shows me I will tell you.” So he went to a desolate height. 4 And God met Balaam, and he said to Him, “I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered on each altar a bull and a ram.”
5 Then the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.” 6 So he returned to him, and there he was, standing by his burnt offering, he and all the princes of Moab.
7 And he took up his oracle and said:

      “Balak the king of Moab has brought me from Aram,
      From the mountains of the east.

      ‘ Come, curse Jacob for me,
      And come, denounce Israel!’

 8 “How shall I curse whom God has not cursed?
      And how shall I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced?

 9 For from the top of the rocks I see him,
      And from the hills I behold him;
      There! A people dwelling alone,
      Not reckoning itself among the nations.

 10 “Who can count the dust[a] of Jacob,
      Or number one-fourth of Israel?
      Let me die the death of the righteous,
      And let my end be like his!”
11 Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and look, you have blessed them bountifully!”
12 So he answered and said, “Must I not take heed to speak what the LORD has put in my mouth?”

Balaam’s Second Prophecy
  
13 Then Balak said to him, “Please come with me to another place from which you may see them; you shall see only the outer part of them, and shall not see them all; curse them for me from there.” 14 So he brought him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
15 And he said to Balak, “Stand here by your burnt offering while I meet[b]the LORD over there.”
16 Then the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, “Go back to Balak, and thus you shall speak.” 17 So he came to him, and there he was, standing by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab were with him. And Balak said to him, “What has the LORD spoken?”
18 Then he took up his oracle and said:

      “Rise up, Balak, and hear!
      Listen to me, son of Zippor!
 19 “God is not a man, that He should lie,
      Nor a son of man, that He should repent.
      Has He said, and will He not do?
      Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

 20 Behold, I have received a command to bless;
      He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it.

 21 “He has not observed iniquity in Jacob,
      Nor has He seen wickedness in Israel.
      The LORD his God is with him,
      And the shout of a King is among them.

 22 God brings them out of Egypt;
      He has strength like a wild ox.

 23 “For there is no sorcery against Jacob,
      Nor any divination against Israel.
      It now must be said of Jacob
      And of Israel, ‘Oh, what God has done!’

 24 Look, a people rises like a lioness,
      And lifts itself up like a lion;
      It shall not lie down until it devours the prey,
      And drinks the blood of the slain.”
25 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all!”
26 So Balaam answered and said to Balak, “Did I not tell you, saying, ‘All that the LORD speaks, that I must do’?”

Balaam’s Third Prophecy
  
27 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Please come, I will take you to another place; perhaps it will please God that you may curse them for me from there.” 28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that overlooks the wasteland.[c] 29 Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build for me here seven altars, and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams.” 30 And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on every altar.

Balaam, the Donkey, and the Angel

The news of the Israelites victory spread throughout the land. As the Israelites came toward Moab, their King Balak decided to use the supernatural by trying to hire Balaam to curse the Israelites. It seems Balaam is known to be a man who communicated with God. It is also ironic that Balak feared Israel because he thought the Israelites were physically strong, not knowing the LORD supernaturally helped Israel with the victories; but instead Balak tried to get a supernatural advantage by cursing Israel so that he can defeat Israel.

Although Balaam does not seem to be a descendent of Jacob, he may or may not have been a descendent of Abraham. In any case, Balaam knew God, and God spoke to him. Perhaps he is something like a prophet among the pagans around him who do not know God personally but know of the God generally. In this instance, Balaam refused to go with the men of Balak because God told him so.

After another group came asking, God finally told Balaam to go with the men. So Balaam went in the morning. The following events may be confusing because the Scripture indicated that God was angry that Balaam went and send an angel to block his path. The supernatural event that followed happened when the donkey tried to avoid the angel and changed course, this prompted Balaam to hit the donkey. But the donkey spoke back to Balaam. Finally the angel also revealed himself to Balaam and later the angel instructed him to go to Balak.

So why was God angry that Balaam went as God told him? Reading carefully, it seemed that God had told him to go the next time Balak's men came to ask him to go. Perhaps Balaam decided to go the next morning without waiting for the men, perhaps out of his own eagerness, or perhaps he was looking forward to the rewards from Balak, King of Moab.

Two things to take note: 1) When we listen to the LORD, we also need to listen carefully because obeying his commands partly, not fully, is just like not obeying at all. 2) When we misunderstood God's directions, God may hinder and steer us to his right direction again (perhaps using angels). And if we continue to be ignorant, we may try hard to resists God's steering and end up in a worse situation. So wake up before it is too late.



Numbers 22

Balak Sends for Balaam

 1 Then the children of Israel moved, and camped in the plains of Moab on the side of the Jordan across from Jericho.
2 Now Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3 And Moab was exceedingly afraid of the people because they were many, and Moab was sick with dread because of the children of Israel. 4 So Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this company will lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. 5 Then he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River[a] in the land of the sons of his people,[b] to call him, saying: “Look, a people has come from Egypt. See, they cover the face of the earth, and are settling next to me! 6 Therefore please come at once, curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”
7 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the diviner’s fee in their hand, and they came to Balaam and spoke to him the words of Balak. 8 And he said to them, “Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the LORD speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.
9 Then God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?”
10 So Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying, 11 ‘Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the earth. Come now, curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to overpower them and drive them out.’”
12 And God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”
13 So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, “Go back to your land, for the LORD has refused to give me permission to go with you.”
14 And the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak, and said, “Balaam refuses to come with us.”
15 Then Balak again sent princes, more numerous and more honorable than they. 16 And they came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me; 17 for I will certainly honor you greatly, and I will do whatever you say to me. Therefore please come, curse this people for me.’”
18 Then Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more. 19 Now therefore, please, you also stay here tonight, that I may know what more the LORD will say to me.”
20 And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you—that you shall do.” 21 So Balaam rose in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.

Balaam, the Donkey, and the Angel
  
22 Then God’s anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the LORD took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 Now the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. So Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road. 24 Then the Angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side. 25 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she pushed herself against the wall and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall; so he struck her again. 26 Then the Angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 27 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam’s anger was aroused, and he struck the donkey with his staff.
28 Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”
29 And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!”
30 So the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?”
And he said, “No.”
31 Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face. 32 And the Angel of the LORD said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me. 33 The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live.”
34 And Balaam said to the Angel of the LORD, “I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases You, I will turn back.”
35 Then the Angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but only the word that I speak to you, that you shall speak.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
36 Now when Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the border at the Arnon, the boundary of the territory. 37 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not earnestly send to you, calling for you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?”
38 And Balaam said to Balak, “Look, I have come to you! Now, have I any power at all to say anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak.” 39 So Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kirjath Huzoth. 40 Then Balak offered oxen and sheep, and he sent some to Balaam and to the princes who were with him.

Balaam’s First Prophecy
  
41 So it was, the next day, that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high places of Baal, that from there he might observe the extent of the people.