The Way of Cain Jude 11 – Equipped for Battle

As we study the book of Jude, we notice that Jude does not have very much good to say about these false itinerant teachers who desire to dissuade people from their faith in Jesus Christ. He has noted how they are unbelievers, rebellious and given over to sinful practices. They deem themselves higher than dignities and authorities, and speak evil of things they know nothing about. They also corrupt themselves in those things that they know to do naturally. Today Jude gives them a warning and a further descriptions in verse eleven, and we shall share about them over the next three days. He wrote:

Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

Jude first says, “Woe unto them!” We don’t usually hear this type of warning today, but it basically is a proclamation of grief. The idea is that they have pending doom over their heads for their behavior. Whenever we see this word “woe” in the Bible, we should take particular note of what is written next.

Jude says “for the have gone in the way of Cain.” What is the “way of Cain?” We have to look back at the story of Cain who was the first-born child of Adam and Eve. In the book of Genesis in chapter four in verses three through eight we read where both Cain and his younger brother Abel brought an offering to present to God.

And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why are you angry? and why is your countenance fallen? If you do well, shall you not be accepted? and if you do not well, sin lies at the door. And unto you [shall be] his desire, and you shall rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. Genesis 4:3-8

Abel’s offering was accepted by God, and Cain’s was rejected. Whenever a person doesn’t get their way, the resulting emotion is usually anger, and it was no different with Cain. Regardless of what Cain’s offering was, the lack of respect toward it by God angered Cain. In fact, it angered him so much that rather than correct his offering, he killed his brother and became the first murderer. In other words, he hated and envied the godly, and the only way he knew to handle it was to kill him. As the LORD says, “sin lies at the door.” This is the way of the seducing false prophets and teachers of whom Jude speaks.

There is only one way to have a relationship with God and that is through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only perfect offering that satisfies our problem of sin. People offer other sacrifices, but they are incomplete, insufficient, and not respected by God. Other religions may guise themselves as being correct, respectful, and even reverent, however, just as Cain’s offering was refused, they are refused as well.

The interesting note about Cain’s offering is that even though it wasn’t respected, God offered Cain an opportunity to correct it. But Cain refused, and rather than follow the Heavenly Father’s way, he killed his brother instead. Cain held to his offering, fought for his offering, and maybe even justified his offering in his own mind, but all his efforts only turned to murder. The itinerant false teachers of whom Jude speaks followed in the way of Cain. They hated and envied the godly, and their desire was to be over them, greater than them, and known as the “right way”. Today would be a good day to examine our faith and our offerings to God. If we were to be evaluated by God for our offerings, what would He say? Would He receive them, or ask us to do well so we might be accepted?

Next time we will take a look at the second description of these false teachers given by Jude in this verse, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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