Shalom,
Psalm 123:2:
2 Behold, as the eyes of the servants look to the hand of their master, and as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, until He has mercy and loving-kindness for us.
The hand of a master represents protection from harm, provision of needs and guidance and direction. As people look to natural leaders, SO MUCH MORE should we be looking to the "hand" of the LORD our God for all of these things! That's why verse 1 says:
1 UNTO YOU do I lift up my eyes, O You Who are enthroned in Heaven.
Jude was written by Jude, one of the half-brothers of Jesus; the others being James, Joses and Simon (Mark 6:3). Peter had warned the church about false teachers and false leaders and Jude was letting the people know that they were there! Verse 4:
4 For certain men have crept in stealthily [gaining entrance secretly by a side door]. Their doom was predicted long ago, ungodly (impious, profane) persons who pervert the grace (the spiritual blessing and favor) of our God into lawlessness and wantonness and immorality, and disown and deny our sole Master and Lord, Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
Notice that these people were NOT born again believers in Jesus of Nazareth. They had disowned and denied Jesus as Lord and Master. Verse 4 says that they "gained entrance secretly by a side door". Anyone truly born again MUST come in by the RIGHT Door! The ONLY Way! John 14:6:
6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) me.
They were warned then and we can take that same warning now! There have always been, and will continue to be, those false teachers and scorners and mockers. What are we to do? Verses 20-21:
20 But you, beloved, build yourself up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit; 21 Guard and keep yourselves in the love of God; expect and patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) -- [which will you] unto eternal life.
So there it is! The instruction, along with the promise! God LOVES you! Don't be distracted from that Truth by anything the enemy will try to bring your way! KNOW the Word and it will become VERY clear to you! AMEN!
Ezekiel is sent in our reading today to expose false prophets and those involved in idolatry. The judgement that God had warned about was about to take place! Notice verses 13-14:
13 Son of man, when a land sins against Me by committing a trespass, and I stretch out My hand against it and break its staff of bread and send famine upon it and cut off from it man and beast, 14 Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, they would save but there own lives by their righteousness (their uprightness and right standing with Me), says the Lord God.
That tells me that even under the Old Covenant, the righteousness of these three would have delivered them! HOW MUCH MORE will OUR right standing with God deliver us in every situation, because we HAVE that better Covenant, based on better promises (Hebrews 8:6)! Hallelujah!
Shalom in Him!
