THE BIBLE AND BAD MODEL

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

THE BIBLE AND BAD MODEL 

Presented by: Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

Devotional Text: Jude 11

INTRODUCTION:

According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, “a model is something such as a system that can be copied by other people or a person or thing that is considered an excellent example”. However, from the negative angle, our brother Jude refers to Cain, Balaam and Korah as bad models of the Old Testament Characters, citing them as powerful illustrations of propensities to avoid. To this end, he points to the selfishness of Cain, the greed of Balaam and the rebellion of Korah. Their stories can be found in Genesis 4, Numbers 22 and Numbers 16, respectively. After filling his letter with such negative examples, Jude, nevertheless concludes triumphantly that GOD is able to keep his people from falling”,{ vs 24}

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)      Cain is a bad model of selfishness, {Jude 11}

(2)      Balaam is a bad model of greed {vs. 11}

(3)      Kprah is a bad model of rebellion, {vs. 11}

(4)      Cain, Balaam and Korah are bad models to avoid {vs.11}

CAIN AND SELFISHNESS

Cain remains the foremost figure noted for selfishness, since the advent of his offering to GOD, with his brother Abel. The biblical expression that Cain merely “brought some of the fruits of the soil’...but Abel brought “fat portions of his produce {Gen4:3-5} shows that Cain was indeed a selfish individual, who reserved his own fat portion for himself and not for the LORD or any other person. By way of analysis, a selfish man is self-thinking, self-gratifying and self-interest seeker, who constantly promotes what profits him at the expense of others. This is certainly a dangerous factor in both church and society, and should be discouraged. Furthermore, selfishness was the remote cause of the murder of Abel, since it promoted the unacceptable offering, which the LORD rejected, as well as stirred up the bitterness in the heart of Cain, which finally led to the killing of his brother {vs.4-8}, and by so doing became a bad model of murder. In this connection, this lesson biblically stresses that Cain:

(i)                    Remains a bad model of murder that should be rejected {vs.3-8}

{ii}                Became a bad model of careless offering to the LORD, as prompted by selfishness,

which should not be copied, {vs.3-8}

(ii)                  Stands out as a bad model of lack of remorse for killing his brother, which equally should be avoided,{vs. 3-9}

BALAAM AND GREED

Balaam is a model of greed {Jude11}, and greed, according to the Bible, is idol worship, {Col 3:5}. Therefore, Balaam remains a bad model that should be avoided by all who wish to escape the damnation of hell,{ Rev 21:8}. The EN English Dictionary defines “greed” as that intense and selfish desire for wealth, power and food, a propensity which has become habitual in the lives of most Gospel Ministers and believers, irrespective of the biblical injunction citing it as one of the sins that should not be mentioned among the saints,{Eph 3:5}. Today, certain individuals designated “men of GOD” in the field of the Gospel, like Balaam, are driven by the force of greed for profit making, instead of soul winning, as most believers carry the same inclination to make money and wealth by all means. And so, such individuals, no matter their status in church and society are bad models, whose way of life must be rejected. Based on the foregoing, therefore, this lesson states that:

(i)                    Greedy men of GOD who take undue advantage of church finances are bad models that should be avoided,[Jude11}

(ii)                  Believers who toe the path of greed that has lured them into the love of money which is the root of all kinds of evil, are equally bad models to avoid {vs. 11;1Tim 6:9-10}

(iii)                 Community leaders who are greedy of the people’s wealth and are known for the undue exploitation of the people for their selfish gains are, as well bad models that we should not copy from, [vs. 11; vs.9-10}

KORAH AND REBELLION

Korah is another individual designated an evil influence by our brother Jude {vs11} On his part, he is a bad model of rebellion, which the Bible says is tantamount to witchcraft, {1 Sam 15:23}. Rebellion is disobedience against constituted authority. It could also be defined as “resistance to an established government or ruler. And, Korah was noted for this dastardly act in the administration of Moses, which earned him and his men a devastating end, {Num 16}. This shows how the LORD views rebellion. Every authority is of GOD, {Rom 13:1}. These include civil authority {vs. 1}, family authority, {Eph 6:1-3:5:22-23}, religious authority { Heb 13:17}, and more, and so, any person who rebels against constituted authority rebels against the LORD. On this note, this lesson scripturally cites that:

(i)                    Those, who like Korah rebel against civil authorities are bad models to shun, {Rom 13:1-7}

(ii)                  Children who rebel against their parents are equally bad models to reject, { Eph 6:1-3}

(iii)                 Religious adherents who work against their leaders are also bad models to turn away from,{ Heb 13:17}

In conclusion, the term “bad models” shows that there are people of evil influences, who corrupt others. But, note also that there are”good models” that can influence those who come their way for good. By way of summary, those who fear GOD and keep HIS COMMANDMENTS are “good models” to copy. BE SOBER