Jude 9
Verse 9, "Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee."
I. The authenticity of the scripture.
A. From Wuest "Word Study of the New Testament". (1) Michael is commissioned to bury Moses, (2) Satan opposes his burial on two grounds: (a) he claims to be the lord of matter (Hence the body should be handed over to him.) To this claim Michael rejoins, "The Lord rebuke thee, for it was God's spirit which created the world and all mankind." (b) He brings the charge of murder against Moses (the answer is wanting). The story is based on Deuteronomy 34:6, "He buried him in the valley...but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day". From a book "Assumptio Mosis" by Clement quoted from by Charles in his book "Assumption".
B. There is no other place in scripture where this passage is referred to.
C. I accept this passage as true.
1. Jude treats it as a fact.
2. If we don't accept verse 9 as being verbally inspired, let's not accept any of the book of Jude. (If we can't trust Jude in verse 9, we can't trust him in anything else.)
II. Our actions should be like Michael the archangel. (Be sure and compare verse 8 and verse 9.)
A. Don't rail back at those who rail against us. (All it'll be is a shouting, angry, session.)
B. Zech 3:1-3.
1. I don't believe this passage is referring to Jude Verse 9, even though many commentaries believe it does. (Joshua is not Moses).
2. As Satan resisted Joshua, so Satan always resists those who try to do something for God. Especially those leaders God has chosen.
C. Isaiah 53:7 - Christ didn't speak against His accusers. (We should be like Christ.)
D. I Peter 2:19-24 - We should take wrong patiently.
1. Verse 20 - Patiently suffering wrong doing toward us is acceptable with God.
2. II Cor. 11:23-33 - Paul underwent many evil things patiently, yet never railed upon those that mistreated him.
3. Our fathers in the faith (during the dark ages especially) didn't accuse those who mistreated them, even unto death. They patiently endured what was put upon them.
E. Rev. 12:10 - The accuser of our brethren is cast down. (Satan is behind all rebellion against God's people.)
F. Heb. 12:1-3 - We need to follow the example of Christ.
1. Verse 1 - Let us run with patience (James 1:3 - patience comes by tribulation) the race that is set before us.
2. Verse 2 - Looking unto Jesus, not evil circumstances around us.
3. Verse 2 - Endured the cross.
4. Verse 2 - Despising the shame.
5. Verse 2 - Because of the joy when that present suffering was over.
G. Jude 9 - We ought to say "The Lord rebuke thee."
1. Our strongest rebuke.
2. We think a good "poke in the nose" would be more effective. (This is in our nature and satisfies the desires of the flesh.)
3. Rom. 12:19-21 - Verse 19 - Vengeance belongs to the Lord (a quote from Deut. 32:35) Verse 20 - Don't give food and drink to enemies in order to heap coals of fire on their head, but in order to win them to the Lord. (Matt. 5:43-48) (We do want our attitude to be right.)
(If we can't trust Jude in verse 9,