Jude 5
I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
a. NLT: So I want to remind you, though you already know these things, that Jesus first rescued the nation of Israel from Egypt, but later he destroyed those who did not remain faithful.
b. NIV: Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe.
c. YLT: And to remind you I intend, you knowing once this, that the Lord, a people out of the land of Egypt having saved, again those who did not believe did destroy;
d. Amplified Bible Classic: Now I want to remind you, though you were fully informed once for all, that though the Lord [at one time] delivered a people out of the land of Egypt, He subsequently destroyed those [of them] who did not believe [who refused to adhere to, trust in, and rely upon Him].
e. Worrell Translation: Now I wish to put you in remembrance, though ye know all things once for all, that the Lord, having saved the people out of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who believed not.
f. Wuest Translation: Moreover, after mature consideration I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, then destroyed those who did not believe.
g. Peshitta Eastern Text: I will, therefore, remind you, though you once knew this, that God having redeemed and saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
1. “I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this…”
a. I will [Strong: 1014 boulomai boo'-lom-ahee middle voice of a primary verb; to "will," i.e. (reflexively) be willing:--be disposed, minded, intend, list, (be, of own) will (-ing).]
b. therefore [Strong: 1161 de deh a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]
c. put…in remembrance [Strong: 5279 hupomimnesko hoop-om-im-nace'-ko from 5259 and 3403; to remind quietly, i.e. suggest to the (middle voice, one's own) memory:--put in mind, remember, bring to (put in) remembrance.] [Zodhiates: To remember, perhaps after hints or suggestions, to put in mind of, bring to remembrance.]
d. you [Strong: 5209 humas hoo-mas' accusative case of 5210; you (as the objective of a verb or preposition):--ye, you (+ -ward), your (+ own).]
e. though ye [Strong: 5209 humas hoo-mas' accusative case of 5210; you (as the objective of a verb or preposition):--ye, you (+ -ward), your (+ own).]
f. once [Strong: 530 hapax hap'-ax probably from 537; one (or a single) time (numerically or conclusively):--once.]
g. knew [Strong: 1492 eido i'-do a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent 3700 and 3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot.]
h. this [Strong: 5124 touto too'-to neuter singular nominative or accusative case of 3778; that thing:--here (-unto), it, partly, self(-same), so, that (intent), the same, there(-fore, -unto), this, thus, where(-fore).]
1). Jude 5 on to the end of the epistle is written in light of what he said in verses 3 & 4. As Jude gives the examples of apostasy and rebellion of the past, he is also showing us that the same deceptions and evil practices are characteristic in those fallings away of his day and of the day immediately preceding the second coming of Christ. Interestingly in Peter’s second epistle he does not mention the rebellion of Israel in the desert.
a). 2 Peter 3:1, 2 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way a remembrance:
3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
2. “…how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
a. how that [Strong: 3754 hoti hot'-ee neuter of 3748 as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.]
b. the [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]
c. Lord [Strong: 2962 kurios koo'-ree-os from kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir.]
d. having saved [Strong: 4982 sozo sode'-zo from a primary sos (contraction for obsolete saos, "safe"); to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively):--heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.]
e. the people [Strong: 2992 laos lah-os' apparently a primary word; a people (in general; thus differing from 1218, which denotes one's own populace):--people.]
f. out of [Strong: 1537 ek ek or ex ex a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, ...ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.]
g. the land [Strong: 1093 ge ghay contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application):--country, earth(-ly), ground, land, world.]
h. of Egypt [Strong: 125 Aiguptos ah'-ee-goop-tos of uncertain derivation:--Ægyptus, the land of the Nile:--Egypt.]
i. afterward [Strong: 1208 deuteros dyoo'-ter-os as the compare of 1417; (ordinal) second (in time, place, or rank; also adverb):--afterward, again, second(-arily, time).]
j. destroyed [Strong: 622 apollumi ap-ol'-loo-mee from 575 and the base of 3639; to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively:--destroy, die, lose, mar, perish.]
k. them that believed [Strong: 4100 pisteuo pist-yoo'-o from 4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):--believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.] [Bullinger: Be persuaded, to rely upon, N.T. faith: 1. Fully convinced acknowledgement; 2. Self-surrendering fellowship; 3. a fully assured and unswerving confidence.] [Vine: The main elements in faith: 1. A firm conviction, producing a full acknowledgement of God’s revelation, or truth. [His word]. 2. A personal surrender to him. 3. A conduct inspired by such surrender. All this stands in contrast to belief in its purely natural exercise, which consists of an opinion held…without necessary reference to its proof.]
l. not [Strong: 3361 me may a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations.]
1). This is a reference to what happened to Israel when they sent out the 12 spies to spy out the land of Canaan. It is one of the saddest days in their history because they ended up wandering in the desert for forty years because of their sin. Their sin was they “believed not”.
2). People who believe in God but are not Christians, are believing in a purely natural exercise. The faith that these people have is not Biblical faith. True Biblical faith will have the three elements mentioned above. Even the devil believes in God, but his belief is not saving faith.
a). James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe and tremble.
3). The sin that Israel was guilty of was not that they didn’t believe in God for He was manifesting himself right in front of them in a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day. They believed IN God, but they did not BELIEVE WHAT HE SAID.
a). Numbers 13:1, 2 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
13:2 Send thou men, that they may search THE LAND OF CANAAN, WHICH I GIVE UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL; of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, everyone a ruler among them.
b). Here it says in very plain language that God said he was giving the land of Canaan to them.
4). When the twelve spies came back, ten of them gave an evil report based on circumstances and completely ignored the fact that God had said He had given them the land. In essence they called God a liar. They even wanted to choose a leader to lead them back to Egypt.
a). Numbers 13:17-14:4 And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain:
13:18 And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many;
13:19 And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds;
13:20 And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes.
13:21 So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath.
13:22 And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
13:23 And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs.
13:24 The place was called the brook Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence.
13:25 And they returned from searching the land after forty days.
13:26 And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.
13:27 And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sendest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.
13:28 Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: moreover we saw the children of Anak there.
13:29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.
13:30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
13:31 But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.
13:32 And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.
13:33 And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshopper, and so we were in their sight.
14:1 And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.
14:2 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would God we had died in this wilderness!
14:3 And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? Were it not better for us to return unto Egypt?
14:4 And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.
(1) Numbers 13:32 says that 10 of the 12 spies brought an “evil report” of the land. They were basically calling God a liar. The LORD said that He had given them the land, but the spies said they could not win the wars necessary to conquer the land.
(2) They believed IN God, but they did not BELIEVE WHAT HE SAID.
(3) 1 John 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
5). It is clear that the people were rebelling against God. They did not believe Him.
a). Numbers 14:5-11 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.
14:6 And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:
14:7 And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.
14:8 If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.
14:9 Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.
14:10 But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.
14:11 And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?
6). Hebrews gives us more commentary on the event.
a). Hebrews 3:18 “And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not.
b). believed not [Strong: 544 apeitheo ap-i-theh'-o from 545; to disbelieve (wilfully and perversely):--not believe, disobedient, obey not, unbelieving.] [Zodhiates: Not to allow oneself to be persuaded or believe, to disbelieve, be disobedient.]
c). They refused to be persuaded.
7). They would not be persuaded by Joshua and Caleb and not by Moses.
a). Deuteronomy 1:29-33 Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them.
1:30 The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all tha he did for you in Egypt before your eyes;
1:31 And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.
1:32Yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD your God.
1:33 Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents in, in fire by night, to shew you by what way ye should go, and in a cloud by day.
8). Because they refused to believe what he promised them, God was so angry he was willing to kill everyone of them except Moses [and of course Joshua, Caleb and Aaron], approximately 3 million people, Numbers 14:12. In Numbers 14:13-19 Moses intercedes for them and God in his mercy forgives them. As a punishment for their refusing to believe God, the whole nation had to wander in the wilderness for forty years, until the generation that refused to believe were all dead. The 10 men who caused it all for bringing an evil report, were struck dead right then.
a). Numbers 14:36-38 And the men, which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander upon the sand,
14:37 Even those men, that did bring up the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the LORD.
14:38 But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of the men that went to search the land, lived still.
