Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them…are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Jude 7)
In Jude 5-7, two great teaching methods are used. In verse 5 we read, “I will therefore put you in remembrance.” The teacher is to use repetition. In verse 7, notice the phrase, “set forth for an example.” Teaching by example is also a good teaching method.
God uses repetition throughout the Bible. For instance, in Isaiah 28:10, He says, “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line; line upon line; here a little, there a little.” Also, the book of Deuteronomy is an entire book God gave us as a second account.
God also teaches us by example. Some examples are good examples to show us what we are to do, and some are bad examples to show us what not to do. Many people have drifted far from God because they failed to learn from these examples. Notice this teaching in 1 Corinthians 10:1-12.
In Jude 5-7, the Lord sets forth examples for us. He gives us examples of judgment to assure us that these apostates will be judged.
The Example of Israel
Jude 5 says, “The Lord, having saved his people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.” The word saved is used to mean physical deliverance. After He delivered them, He destroyed those who did not believe.
God recalls this example from Numbers 14:1-2, 28-34. Ten of the twelve spies sent into Canaan brought back an evil report. They would not believe God and began to murmur. God heard their words, and the people had to bear judgment for forty years. If God judged His people, Israel, He will assuredly judge others.
In 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, Paul addressed a case of sin in a church. Judgment was coming to that individual. 1 John 5:16 teaches us that, for God’s people, there is a “sin unto death.”
God is a God of judgment, and this example of Israel should remind us that God will certainly judge the apostates of our day.
The Example of the Angels
In Jude 6, we find a second example: the angels “which kept not their first estate.” God is speaking about the group of fallen angels that rebelled along with Satan.
Perhaps one-third of the angels rebelled against God with the Devil (See Revelation 12:4.) God judged these angels, these created beings and ministering spirits. He judged them, and He will one day cast them into the lake of fire where they will burn forever.
Let us remember this example. If God will judge angels, then no one will escape His judgment.
The Example of Sodom and Gomorrah
In verse four, Jude talks about the behavior of the apostates. He gives examples of these things in verses five through seven.
Jude 7 says that these cities were guilty of “giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh.” The word strange means “that which does not belong to someone.” These fornicators committed the sin of homosexuality, which God calls “vile affection” (Romans 1:26). The sin of Sodom was “turning the grace of God into lasciviousness.” God destroyed these cities for such sin.
Read Luke 10:10-12. Jesus Christ is speaking of witnessing and not being received. Sodom never had the opportunity we have. May God awaken us to our individual responsibility before Him. Knowing from these examples that God’s judgment is coming, we should be stirred to reach those around us who still need Christ.
Background Reading for Next Week: Jude 5-8; 2 Timothy 3:13; Genesis 6:5, 19:24-25; Romans 1:21-28; Proverbs 5:1-13; Psalm 2:1-6