A five-day Bible study in one verse...
Let
us look upon this fine verse: "Woe to them! For they walked in the way of
Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and
perished in Korah's rebellion." (Jude 1:11 ESV)
Day
one: "Woe..." There are over 115 uses of this word in the Bible, and
over 50 of those uses are distinct warnings. Spend a day learning what would
make prophets, apostles and even the Lord Jesus say "Oy!"
Day
two: "...they walked in the way of Cain..." Go back to Genesis 4 and
find out what that way is. Meditate upon it. Look upon the heart of Cain and
see if there be any like way in ourselves.
Day
three: "...they...abandoned themselves for the sake of gain..." You
know, it remains a piercing question to ask "What shall a man profit if he
gain the whole world and lose his soul?" Study 1 Timothy 6 and Romans 1;
look into story of the rich man and Lazarus. On and on; sometimes what we
pursue, we get, much to the disappointment of our flesh, and the damnation of
our souls.
Day
four: "...they...abandoned themselves...to Balaam's error..." See
Numbers 22, and Moses's commentary on that situation in Numbers 31 and Peter's
commentary in 2 Peter 2. Find out how easy it is to fall into error, how
dangerous and how far reaching.
Day
five: "...they...perished in Korah's rebellion." Take some time to
read about Korah's dissatisfaction with God's will and way in Numbers 16, and
how God dealt with Korah and his followers.
My
point is that often verses are loaded --and I mean PACKED-- with stuff that
takes us time to unfold and even more time to consider and weigh. We both miss
the delight of such exercises when we fail to do them and miss God's steamer
trunk lessons packed in coin purse packages.
I
could explain all the things in Jude 1:11 here, but I would rob you of some joy
in abiding in the Lord and seeking to enjoy these things in His presence.
Be
blessed, beloved friends.
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