“But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” (Jude 9 (ESV)
“False teachers creep into the church not because they look like false teachers but because they look like angels. They disguise themselves just as their master Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. When false teachers attempt to creep into the church, they typically don’t look like wolves because they wear sheep costumes and use some of the same language that the sheep use. They regularly quote Scripture, and they are often able to quote more Scripture than the average Christian.” – Pastor Burk Parsons.
One of the interesting observations when studying the Epistle of Jude is how frequently Jude mentioned angels (vs.6, 8). This pattern continues with today’s text. However, Jude does not refer to angels in general in vs.9, but rather to Michael the archangel in particular. He compared the humility of Michael, a God exalted angelic being, with the pride of the self-exalted apostates.
Jude stated apostates blaspheme the glorious ones (vs.8). They speak evil against and mock the LORD’s angelic messengers. Yet, Michael did not do such a thing when contending with the devil for the body of Moses.
Michael is God’s archangel (ἀρχάγγελος; archangelos) or chief angel (I Thess. 4:16). He watches over Israel (Dan. 10:13; 12:1). He leads the holy angels (Rev. 12:1-7).
“Very little is known about the organization or rank of angels (cf. Col. 1:17). While only Michael is named as an archangel (Jude 9), there seems to be more than one in the archangelic ranks (Dan. 10:13). Perhaps it is Michael, the archangel, whose voice is heard (I Thess. 4:16) as he is identified with Israel’s resurrection in Dan. 12:1–3,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.
Jude’s reference to Michael contending (διακρινόμενος; diakrinomenos) is a present middle verbal participle. It means to presently and personally dispute, disagree and quarrel. This is what occurred between Michael and the devil concerning Moses’ dead body. This is the only place in Scripture where this event is mentioned.
“Moses died on Mount Nebo in Moab without having entered the Promised Land and was secretly buried in a place not known to man (Deut. 34:5–6). It would likely be that this confrontation took place as Michael buried Moses to prevent Satan from using Moses’ body for some diabolical purpose not stated. Perhaps Satan wanted to use it as an idol, an object of worship for Israel. God sent Michael, however, to be certain it was buried,” continues Dr. MacArthur.
Michael, even in his exalted position, did not presume (ἐτόλμησεν; etolmenen) or to be bold and presumptuous to pronounce a blasphemous judgment on the devil. Rather, he said, “The Lord rebuke you.”
“Rather than personally cursing such a powerful angel as Satan, Michael deferred to the ultimate, sovereign power of God following the example of the angel of the Lord in Zech. 3:1–2. This is the supreme illustration of how Christians are to deal with Satan and demons. Believers are not to address them, but rather to seek the Lord’s intervening power against them,” concludes Dr. MacArthur.
False teachers and their false teachings are a present and active concern for church leaders and congregations. This is why every true believer in Christ must earnestly contend for the faith (vs.3).
“False teaching is a real threat to the church. False teaching is not a threat only in certain circumstances, or only in churches with certain governmental structures, or only in certain places and cultures in the world. We must recognize it as a threat because the Bible continually warns us that it is a threat. Jesus warns us that false teachers will come from outside the community of believers, trying to hide their true intentions (Matt. 7:15–20). Peter tells us that false teachers can also arise from within the community of believers, bringing doctrine that is destructive and poisonous (2 Peter 2:1). The Apostle Paul continually warned the churches that he served that if false teachers in their midst were left unchecked, the results would be disastrous (Gal. 1:6–9; 2 Cor. 11:1–21; 1 Tim. 6:3–5). Simply put, false teaching is not just a problem for other people and churches out there; it is a problem about which all believers must be vigilant and against which they must be on guard.” – Pastor Fred Greco
One way to guard against false teaching is for pastors to take seriously the Apostle Paul’s directive to his protégé Timothy, and all pastors, found in 2 Timothy 4:1-5.
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:1–5 (ESV)
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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