An Example of the Lord's Authority

Scripture: Now I want to remind you, although you came to know all these things once and for all, that Jesus saved a people out of Egypt and later destroyed those who did not believe. Jude 1:5

Observation: As Jude discusses the apostacy of some people within the church, he uses this analogy from the exodus. Every Jew was brought out of Egypt. However, once in the wilderness, there were situations when many showed their true nature, which was that they did not believe in the Lord, and they died.

As the Lord knows every man's heart, it would have been a simple matter to just leave the nonbelieving Jews in Egypt. He could have simply given them a clearer choice at the time of their departure, and some would have opted to stay. Or he could have given Moses and Aaron understanding of who should be left behind, and simply sorted them out. God did neither.

In such cases, those who didn't believe would have been delivered into the hands of Egypt - into the hands of men - where they would have received their just punishment for unbelief ... death. Instead, God delivered everyone out of Egypt, then delt with their unbelief himself. They were not turned over to human authority, but in the matter of faith their judgment resided only with the Lord.

Application: Today, this is another reminder of whom judges others ... and it sure ain't me. I have no right to even think that I know someone's heart, and thus their fate. Yes, in some cases I know those who are non-believers, and I am confident in the fate that awaits them, but that entire dynamic is a matter between them and the Lord, and not for me to consider let along pronounce.

At the Exodus, the Lord "delivered" tens of thousands of people he knew actually did not love him. He did that to give them a chance, but also to be clear that in the matter of life by faith, authority belongs to him. As I interact with unbelievers every day, this is good for me to remember.

Prayer: Lord, I see earthly favor on so many people who actively reject you and your son, and sometimes it frustrates me. Give me strength in both heart and soul to know that those situations are truly none of my business. You are in control of life and death, mercy and judgment. And I thank you daily for your mercy upon a sinner such as me. Amen.