Jude 11 Woe to them, because they go in the way of Cain and dedicated themselves to the error of Balaam’s profit and perished in Korah’s rebellion.
The following verses reveal the bad news for the false teachers pronounced as a Woe. Three examples from the Old Testament illustrate Jude’s warning. The way of Cain could refer to his jealousy of Abel and his revenge, which he took by killing him in Genesis 4. The human problem of selfishness, which started with Adam and Eve, became visible in Cain’s actions. The profit of Balaam was about money and swearing falsely. Balaam was known for how he betrayed Israel in Numbers 22-24. He was all about self and money. Korah’s rebellion against Moses in Numbers 16 was a rejection of God’s words and will. Korah and the 250 leaders of Israel, who went along with them, thought they knew better than Moses.
These Old Testament examples warn about the direction these false teachers had taken. The readers must learn from the past sacred history of Israel and reject these people because they will destroy the church and lead people away from Christ. The major issue is that the believers had accepted these false teachers into their midst and did nothing about it. The outcome should have been obvious, but deceivers can be good at what they do.