Definition: Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Jude 1:9. It's a pretty intense and dramatic verse! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a situation where someone who is incredibly powerful – in this case, Michael the archangel – is facing a challenge from the Devil. The Devil is trying to trick or influence this person, and Michael refuses to stand in his way. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Jude 1:9” : This is a letter written by Jude, a Jewish author of the first century AD. It's a sort of "warning" or "instruction" to the early church. “Michael the archangel…” : Michael was a powerful angel in ancient Jewish tradition – considered one of God’s closest messengers. He was incredibly wise and important. “…when contending with the devil…” : This means Michael was engaged in a disagreement or conflict with Satan, the adversary of God. “He disputed about the body of Moses…” : This is where it gets interesting. “Moses” refers to Jesus Christ. The verse suggests Michael is questioning or arguing about Jesus’s identity and destiny – specifically, that he was a Jewish man who was crucified and resurrected. “durst not bring against him a railing accusation” : This is the key part. Michael is telling the Devil that he isn't going to attack or confront Jesus with any kind of challenge. He’s refusing to use forceful language or arguments. “…but said, The Lord rebuke thee.” – This is the crucial part. Michael says, “The Lord rebuke thee!” This means he’s acknowledging that God is the one who should intervene and correct the Devil's actions. It’s a plea for divine judgment or intervention. So, what’s the overall message? It's saying that God is in control of everything! Even when powerful forces try to deceive us, we are called to trust in God’s justice and will. Michael is essentially pleading with the Devil – “Don’t do this! God will intervene!” In a nutshell: This verse highlights a struggle between good and evil, and it emphasizes that God is ultimately in charge and will not allow Satan to cause harm or disrespect His Son. --- Do you want me to: Explain the context of the passage? Give another example of this kind of challenge in the Bible? Explore what this verse might mean for believers today?