James 5: 7-11
Now James is talking to the believers again.
(7) Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord.
This exhortation to patience is built around three illustrations: the farmer, the prophets, and Job.
The "therefore" here may be referring to the oppression of the righteous poor (in verses 1-6 of this chapter). The verb be patient is the attitude of self-restraint that does not try to get even for a wrong that has been done. It usually represents long-suffering patience toward persons rather than things. So James calls for patience toward the rich oppressors that will last until the coming of the Lord.
The word he uses for coming was a common term used to describe the visit of a king to a city or province of his kingdom, so it portrays Christ as the King coming in His majesty.
The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains.
The first illustration of this patience is the farmer, who waited patiently for both the early and late rains, which came in the fall and the spring, and were necessary moisture for a successful harvest. No farmer would try to dig up the crop before it was ready, but was patient to wait all the time that was necessary.
(8) You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.
In addition to patience, they were to strengthen your hearts, to be strong in the inner man. They were to provide solid support, so he can stand unmoved by trouble; because the Day that everything will be set right is imminent.
(9) Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold the Judge is standing right at the door.
Christians are to be patient both with outsiders who oppress them and with fellow believers who irritate them. "Complaining" here is an inner distress that may not even be expressed outwardly beyond a sigh or groan. It is an attitude of bitterness or resentment, that is hateful, rather than loving, and will be judged. And the Judge has already put His hand on the latch, and is ready to enter at any time!
(10) As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the Name of the Lord.
James' second illustration is the prophets. As he takes them as a group, we may look at Jeremiah in particular, who was put in the stocks (Jeremiah 20: 2), thrown into prison (Jeremiah 32: 2), and lowered into a miry dungeon (Jeremiah 38: 6), in his old age; yet he persisted in his ministry without bitterness or recrimination. Men like him serve as a model for believers who are oppressed and mistreated.
(11) We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.
Job is the third illustration of those who have persevered. He may be recalling his words in 1: 12 where he points out the enviable joy of the person who does not cave in under trial.
The word used for "patience" in 5: 7-10 is the self-restraint that does not retaliate, but here in 5: 11 it is perseverance in difficult circumstances.
We talk about the "patience of Job," but here James talks about his endurance. He is an outstanding example of perseverance in the most trying situations. His experience is also proof that "the Lord is full of compassion and mercy," as we see in what the Lord finally brought about for him. Because Job persevered, God gave him twice as much as he had before (Job 42: 10-17).
To sum up today's study, we learn that we are to not retaliate but to exercise long-suffering patience with the rich who oppress us, and stout-hearted perseverance in whatever trying circumstances that may assail us.
O my Father, this is not an easy lesson to learn. Please help us to grow and mature in the character qualities of the family of God. Strengthen us to see others as You see them, and to not go overboard in our responses to those who oppose us.
Teach us how to portray our Lord in all that we do, to show the world how good You are and how You love every one of us, even those who reject you. Help them to also know who You are, Father, so that they will have a clear choice whether to turn toward or away from You.
O Father, send out Your children to show the whole world who You are. That our love for one another will show the world Your love. And draw into Your family all those who are searching for truth and worth and purpose.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord; that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
