Jude 1:11-12 “Woe unto them! . . .
clouds they are without water, carried about of winds.”
Here
in southern California ,
we are in the fourth straight year of severe drought. I read an interesting
devotional message today. It states that this passage in Jude appears to be the only
reference in the Bible that compares clouds to people. Several references use
cloud imagery to depict the presence of God. Our Lord Jesus was taken up to
heaven in a cloud (Acts 1:9) and
will return in a cloud as well (Luke
21:27). Here, however, Jude applies a strong negative imagery. Those who
introduce evil into the Lord’s churches may seem to represent the presence of
God, but their misty vapor holds no “water” - it will only obscure the
brilliance of light and disguise the real “temperature” of the environment.
In
an agricultural-based economy, clouds were hopeful signs of rain to refresh the
land. Rain waters the crops so that they grow and produce. Where water flows,
live grows. Some of that positive view has been lost by urban societies, which
often see rain as an inconvenience. New Testament imagery connects water with
life-giving properties emanating from the Holy Spirit and with the cleansing
value of the words of Scripture. Paul warned Pastor Titus about many “unruly
and vain talkers and deceivers” who must be stopped so that “good men” would
become “sound in the faith” – Titus
1:8-13.
John 7:38 “Whoever
believes in me, as the
Scripture has said, ‘Out
of his heart will flow rivers of living
water.’”
Thus, Jude compares those who hinder “the faith” to those who appear to represent godly pursuits and character but are empty of the refreshing and guiding power of the Holy Spirit and void of biblical wisdom and insight. They are “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” – Ephesians 4:14 and “serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” – Romans 16:18.
Thus, Jude compares those who hinder “the faith” to those who appear to represent godly pursuits and character but are empty of the refreshing and guiding power of the Holy Spirit and void of biblical wisdom and insight. They are “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” – Ephesians 4:14 and “serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” – Romans 16:18.
May the Gospel of Christ rain down on this dry and thirsty world.
May Jesus reign.
In Christ, Brian
2 comments:
It seems that people have a hard time recognizing waterless clouds when they are above. I guess you have to wait until they have passed to see if the ground has been watered.
Thank you UGP for the great commit. The Lord said that you will know a tree by its fruit. I totally see your point that it is the same with clouds ... is there an outpouring? What is our motivation? We have been blessed to be a blessing to others. Thank you for watering your blessings.
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