Cain, Balaam and Korah

Jude is very harsh with false teachers. He compares the three personalities of the Old Testament. “Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion.” (Jude 1:11) All the three blundered in worshipping God.

1) Way of Cain:The way of Cain is choosing his own method of worship, without faith. He did not believe that there is no forgiveness without shedding blood. Hence, he brought his offering without blood, which was not accepted. False teachers also do not understand the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Cain’s heart was filled with envy and hatred. In fact, he was not truthful to God and told a blatant lie after murdering his brother Abel. (Genesis 4:9)

2) Error of Balaam:Balaam was interested in increasing wealth provided by Balak, to weaken Israel. He could be called a ‘Prophet for Profit’. Unable to curse Israel, Balaam devised a way to seduce men of Israel by women of Moabites, who led them to worship their gods. John, Jude and Peter condemn Balaam in the New Testament. Peter writes that he desired ‘wages of wickedness.’ (II Peter 2:15) Balaam induced the men of Israel to sexual immorality. (Revelation 2:14) False teachers today, encourage disciples to compromise, use grace as a license to sin and inspire greediness.

3) Rebellion of Korah:Korah initiated a worship contest. He rebelled against God's ordained authority of Moses, was jealous of God's chosen priest, Aaron and instigated others to defy authority by organizing worship against God’s shown will and pattern. Creativity is dangerous in the worship of God.

Worship without faith, worship with sin and compromise and worship violating God’s procedure, order and protocol are dangerous for our spiritual life.

Am I warned by Cain, Balaam and Korah’s disastrous lives?