3rd February 2026

3rd February 2026


Pray (ACts) 


Read (Jude 1v8-10) 


Message (Scott Woodburn)
The last mark of false teachers highlighted in these verses is spiritual arrogance. To underscore his point, Jude used a story from a book called “The Assumption of Moses.” You've probably not read that book. It isn’t a Bible book and Jude wasn't trying to introduce it into the canon of Holy Scripture. The Bible has many references to texts which exist outside the Scriptures and we can rightly call them extra-Biblical sources. Jude later references "The Book of Enoch", "The Book of Wars" is mentioned in Numbers 21v14 and we are told about "The Book of Jashar" in at least two places in the Old Testament. There are also a great many more texts which are too numerous to list here.


Some of these books have survived to the present day, others only partially survive and others have been lost. What are we to do with such texts? Let me stress that none of the extra-Biblical books are considered to be part of Holy Scripture. You don't need to hunt them down and hope that the lost books will be rediscovered. The Bible is from God and at times the Lord inspired Biblical authors to reference texts which did not proceed from the mouth of the Lord. It is possible for an extra-Biblical book to have truth within it without the whole book being considered from God.


In the case of "The Assumption of Moses" it would seem that the false teachers knew and used this book with Jude quoting a story from it to turn the tables. The false teachers blasphemed the angels and yet Jude reminded them that not even the archangel Michael dared to blaspheme the devil in a dispute over the body of Moses. Jude’s point was that their arrogance was so great that they were prepared to do that which the angels wouldn’t do. Their arrogance was monumental!


Ultimately these false teachers claimed great knowledge but would finally be destroyed by their animalistic sexual appetites and desires (v10). Jude did not paint a pretty picture of the opponents of Christ’s church, yet we can be thankful for the picture he paints. It is a clear portrait of that which we must be on guard against in our day and age.


This devotion isn’t a call for you to check under the bed and behind the curtains for false teachers. We shouldn’t seek to have witch trials and live endlessly suspicious lives. Yet we must absolutely be alert. The church is always in danger and truth is always under attack. Read Jude’s words and remember them. Be wise and discerning and prayerful in these days and make sure you leave no open window for the enemy to climb through. Stand on the solid ground of God's Word.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q88 What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption? The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption are, his ordinances, especially the Word, Sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.
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