In our last visit I suggested that cross-references often enrich our understanding of any portion of the Bible that we might be studying. As we study the book of Jude there are many cross-references that readily come to mind. I suggested comparing 2 Peter 2 with Jude. Then I encouraged looking up the references in the Bible that declare that God is able.
As you read about the apostates Jude refers to you might want to get the historical setting in the Old Testament. Verse 5 refers to the wanderings of Israel in the desert recorded in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Verse 6 probably refers to what is described in Genesis 6, verses 1-7. You might also read Ezekiel 38. Genesis 19 describes what Jude says about Sodom and Gomorrah in verse 7.
When he refers to Cain in verse 11 you will understand what he means better if you read the opening part of Genesis 4. The same would be true regarding Balaam by reading Numbers 22, and Korah by reading Numbers 16.
After you have done this kind of research you might have questions in your own mind about some things that Jude says, or that you think others might have as they try understanding the book of Jude. Two questions I had were about the battle over what to do with Moses body, mentioned in verse 9. This is not referred to elsewhere in the Bible, not even in Deuteronomy, where it tells of Moses’ death. And then there might be a question about Jude using a reference from an apocryphal book. Such questions often lead to further profitable study.
