Jude recounts an episode of contention between two angels, one extremely good, the other extremely evil: Michael and Lucifer. It seems that the two were arguing about the body of Moses. Whence this story? Men have speculated down through the centuries, and do not seem to be sure. Divine inspiration, where God just told Jude about this? Possible. A legend that had been passed down among the Jews? Also possible. There is an apocryphal book from the first century that contains something of this story. This much we know: Jude’s use of it was allowed by the Holy Spirit. Therefore the story itself, regardless of the source is true. Truth can be found in books that are not all true. Later Jude will quote from another questionable book, but that quote makes us believe that at least that part of the source is from God and can be trusted.

Only the incident itself is to be believed, however. Not the legends surrounding it. Why were they arguing? We don’t know. Were they arguing? Yes. Legend: Michael was the guardian of Moses’ grave. Lucifer wanted Moses’ body so he could use it as a means of false worship by the Jews.

Truth of the matter: As I said, we don’t know.

But Jude is using the incident to let us know that even the mighty Michael did not dare to disrespect Satan on his own. He referred all judgment to God. The Lord rebuke you, but I will not. This is to be our attitude toward civil rulers, leaders who have gone astray, angelic beings. The only power we have been given is in the name of Jesus and His Word. May we never endanger ourselves by fighting “dignitaries” in our own name.

One interesting insight from this verse helps us solve the “angel of the Lord” question that arises so often in Scripture. The conversation between Michael, the chief of the angels, at least for Israel (per Daniel), and maybe for all angels, is echoed in Zechariah 3, where the Lord Himself says the same words to Satan: “The Lord rebuke you.” Here, as in Revelation, and Genesis and elsewhere, the very words of God are put in the mouth of an angel. Many want to conclude that the angel of the Lord is therefore the Lord Himself!

This is a dangerous conclusion, as the confused apostle John discovered when he tried to worship the angel he saw. Angels are mighty in power and glory, and as messengers of the Lord, they of course have the Lord’s words in their mouths! But that does not make them the Lord! To say so is to join hands with Jehovah’s Witnesses and other cult groups who claim that Jesus is Michael, a created being.

Never! Jesus is Jesus, Michael is Michael. To earthlings, the glory of the angelic and the glory of the Divine seem intertwined, but when we are raised in our own glorious bodies we will be able to see clearly the difference in glories. Meanwhile we have only His Word to give us the light we need. And we know that our God is not a created being! The closest He came to His creation was allowing Himself to be born through a human instrument. But He never stopped being God during that process, nor will He ever.