On the night before Jesus was crucified, He told his disciples
John 14:3 ESV
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
Jesus went to the cross, leaving them hope beyond the cross, hinting at the resurrection and eternal life in the Kingdom of God.
But elsewhere in his ministry, Jesus gave his followers a bit of insight into what some have called “The Day of the Lord” or as Jesus says, “the coming of the Son of Man.” In Matthew 24:36-44, Jesus said…
Matthew 24:36–44 ESV
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
From the time of Jesus ascension in Acts 1, His followers have lived with the great anticipation of His return. We saw that a bit in our study of Thessalonians last year. Today, as we continue our study in the book of James, the imminent return of Jesus becomes a motivating point for James’ instruction to his first century hearers and to us.
Open your Bibles to James 5. We’ll be looking at verses 1-11 today.
In the passage that we’re looking at today, James is addressing two groups of people - the rich who are acting unjustly and the righteous who are experiencing injustice.
His overall message seems to be that since Jesus could return at any time, we should be just in our dealings and patiently endure injustice.
Let’s think about those individually.
First of all
Jesus could return (presence) at any time (4, 7-9)
Several new testament writers, including James, use the Greek word “parousia” to describe Jesus coming. This word can be translated “presence, advent, or coming.” This is the same word that would be used of a dignitary who is making a visit to a town or country. Jesus return is what believers have been looking forward to.
Upon His return, Jesus will do several things like setting up his Kingdom, bringing what some people have called the final consummation. But in this process, James provides for us a couple of motivating points.
To the rich, who are acting unjustly
he notes:
James 5:4 ESV
Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
These rich people are acting with partiality toward themselves, toward their own bottom line. They are not living up to their agreements and are not acting with fairness. Their actions have reached the ears of God.
In Genesis 4, we read about when Cain killed his brother Abel out of jealousy. When God confronted Cain, He said…
Genesis 4:10 (ESV)
…“What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.
James seems to be noting a very similar call here when he says that the cries of the harvesters who have been treated unjustly have reached the ears of “the Lord of hosts.”
It’s not that their cries have reached 911, City Hall, Congress, the halls of the Supreme Court, or even the occupant of the Oval Office - their cries have reached to the highest authority in the Universe - the Lord of Sabaoth - or the Lord of heavens armies. He is the one who will provide justice for the disadvantaged. He is the one who has the power to dole out an eternal judgment. He is the one they will have to answer to and they will have no advocate - because the advocate, Jesus Christ, is their judge!
But the motivation of Jesus return, his parousia, is not only for those who are acting unjustly, but also for those who are being treated unjustly.
To the righteous who are receiving injustice
James writes…
James 5:7–9 ESV
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.
Jesus’ return marks a day when the injustices received on earth will be addressed for eternity.
While our natural tendency is to fight for our own justification, James’ encouragement is to wait patiently. We’ll get into this more in a moment, but not only is Jesus’ return a threat or a warning to the unjust, but it is a promise and hope to the righteous.
?In light of the fact that Jesus could return at anytime, we should…
be just in our dealings (1-6)
At various times throughout James’ letter he has used a word that can be translated brothers and sisters, but here, James calls out a different group of people with the phrase “come now”. This may be people close to the church members or maybe people who are on the fringe. Frankly, this could be people who are active members, but are living inconsistent lives. Wherever they are, he is calling them to act justly.
James 5:1–6 ESV
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.
As I’ve been wrestling with this text this week, I’ve been challenged by how we should apply this. Now, I know I don’t see everything. I certainly can’t see into everyone’s hearts, but what I do see is a group of people who want to live rightly and justly. I see a family that is trying to look out for each other and look out for those in need. James’ harsh rhetoric here may not apply with the full weight of judgment that he is promising, but I think there are certainly areas where we can grow in our justice. But as I look at my own heart, James’ words pierce like an arrow hitting a bullseye.
Act justly in relation to…
Material possessions
James notes the temporary nature of material wealth. These people, the rich, have clamored for material goods that will eventually decay and fine garments that will be eaten by bugs. They are acquiring silver and gold which will ultimately corrode. It’s as though he saying, the person who dies with the most toys still dies and their toys are destroyed.
As people who live in one of the most prosperous nations on earth, the lure of material possessions and promise of financial security through accumulation is all around us. Sure there are things we need and it is prudent to prepare for the future.
Proverbs 13:22 (ESV)
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.
We need to provide for those around us:
1 Timothy 5:8 ESV
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
But it seems like justice here is balance. It’s living by the motto of
1 Timothy 6:6 (ESV)
…godliness with contentment is great gain
As Paul was providing some instruction to Timothy, a young pastor who was leading a young church, on the topic of materialism and wealth, Paul writes…
1 Timothy 6:7–10 ESV
for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
We need material things to get by in this world. As I said last week, we probably need far less than we have.
Are we allowing our material possessions to be a blessing for us and for people around us?
Are we focusing so much on accumulation that we’re not able to pay attention to the population around us that needs the hope of the gospel?
In addition to being just in our material possessions, we should be just in our…
Financial dealings
These rich people that James is addressing were not being fair in their financial dealings with people. It’s as though they would promise someone a certain wage and then change the deal at the last hour.
I realize that most of us don’t have people who work for us, but we all have ways that we use our financial resources.
Are we being biblical in how we use those resources?
Are we able to be generous?
Are we tithing?
Are we managing debt or are we letting our consumeristic mindset outspend our bank accounts?
In the sermon on the mount, when Jesus was teaching about financial matters, he said…
Matthew 6:19–21 ESV
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
What does our treasure reveal about our hearts?
Finally, James seems to be urging us to be just in…
Every part of life
Look at verse 6 for a moment. James notes James 5:6 “You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.”
This is a bit of a tricky statement. It seems to need context or connection.
Who is this righteous person? It seems like there are three possibilities.
A worker who was literally killed.
Maybe there was some story of such vile treatment that someone did die. James may have been addressing a very specific issue. Foreigners did not have many legal rights so they would not have the ability to resist.
So, if this is a person who as treated so unjustly that they died, as we seek to learn from this…
How are we treating people around us?
Do we see other people as image bearers of God?
Do we cast judgment on another brother or sister who is struggling?
Are we making time for the person who needs a listening ear?
How do we view, treat or talk about people of other ethnicities or political ideologies?
Are we being just in dealing with people?
This righteous person could also be..
2. Jesus
James’ argument may be that as people who claim to be followers of Christ, we essentially kill him all over again in our acts of injustice. Like a lamb who is led to the slaughter is silent, Jesus did not resist and willingly laid down his life for you and me. Beloved, are we killing him again with our materialistic affections? Are we murdering him again in our unjust treatment of others?
While our actions make a statement about Jesus and dishonor him, I don’t think this is what James is talking about.
3. Us
I think what James is say is that the righteous person who is condemned and murdered is us. The unjust rich are believers who are acting unjustly, unethically, un-biblically in their dealings. It’s as though the biblical ethics have not transferred into their business dealings. They might act like Christians on Sunday, but act like any shrewd, unscrupulous businessman or woman the other days of the week.
So, if we are the righteous person who has been killed, where are we succumbing to the selfish ambition and jealous ethics of the world? Where have we crucified a godly life for a good life? Where are we acting hypocritically? Are we putting up a fight? Are we resisting the temptation?
Jesus is returning. Everyone will give an account for his or her actions. There will be a judgment - so let’s act justly in our dealings. James urged us to weep and howl. Maybe that weeping and howling should be in repentance?
But what about when in justice is not something that we give but something we receive. Thankfully, James has a comment and an encouragement for us as well.
Jesus is returning, there for we should be just in our dealings…
and patiently endure injustice (7-11)
In various places throughout scripture we are urged to speak up for and advocate justice for the disadvantaged and the unjust. Even James early on in this letter noted that a person who is exercising a true religion would visit orphans and widows in their time of need (James 1:27). But when it comes to the injustice we experience personally - patience is the command. Our patience, however, is not endless or limitless - our patience has a specific event in mind…
James 5:7–11 ESV
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
As we discussed early on - the fact that Jesus is returning is a source of hope for believers. He is the judge who will advocate on our behalf.
James provides a couple of helpful examples for us.
Agricultural Example
Middle eastern farmers, when they plant fields, would do so in faith. They hope for early rain to provide nourishment for the seeds. While they can’t see all that is happening, they are trusting that something is going on beneath the surface. The later rains provide the necessary hydration to finish the job.
When we come to faith in Jesus Christ, it’s as though that work of the Holy Spirit, the work that we do reading His word, that work that we do together - in each others lives, is like those early rains. We can’t always see the initial fruit, but we can experience growth, little by little. When the time is fully ready for Jesus return - his second coming is like the latter rains - ushering in the full product of our faith.
We can’t always see or feel what is happening, but God is at work in our lives individually and in the lives of others. He may be doing work to bring those acting unjustly to repentance. But the promise too is that when he returns, he will bring the unjust to justice.
But in addition looking at an agricultural example, James also provides an
Historical example - the prophets
These spokesmen for God were often mistreated and abused - yet they remained faithful.
The writer of Hebrews summarizes some of the prophets and other saints of the OT.
Hebrews 11:36–40 ESV
Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Now, if you’re not yet a follower of Christ or are young in the faith - you might look at this and think - “Why would I want to believe? The riches, comfort, and ease of this life is worth way more than the suffering these people received.”
The promise of Jesus’ return gives us hope for an eternity with him that is worth so much more than all the wealth we can hoard. This is a confidence that the prophets had. This is a confidence that the apostles and first disciples had. This is a hope that we have!
James provided the agricultural and historical examples, finally he also provided a…
Personal example - Job
One commentator that I looked at noted that Job is not often seen as someone who waited patiently in the face of injustice - but he did wait on the Lord. He cried out to the one who could fight for him - God.
In case you’re not familiar with the life of Job, he was tested in some bitter and cruel ways. He lost his family, his health and his wealth. Most of the book is a series of conversations among Job and his friends. They are blaming him of sinfulness, he is defending his integrity.
By the end of the book, we are reminded of God’s sovereignty, but we also get to see a bit of God’s compassion and mercy as God ultimately restored him. Job was steadfast and faithful.
Our challenge in the face of suffering and injustice is to remain steadfast and faithful to the Lord. To remain true to the qualities to which God has called us to live. To exhibit a fully integrated faith.
James even urges us to “establish” or “strengthen” our hearts because “the coming of the Lord is at hand.” Jesus is coming, vindication will happen, justice will come.
?Closing thoughts
Non-Believers:
Jesus is coming back
He has taking the punishment for your sin
He has redeemed the injustice you’ve performed and the injustice performed against you.
Trust in him
Believe
Be baptized
grow in your walk with him.
Beloved:
Jesus could return at any time, therefore we should be just in our dealings and patiently endure injustice.
Each week in our study of the book of James, we’ve been considering a benediction from the book of 1 Corinthians. That benediction urges us to remain steadfast, but why. Let’s close this with a little of the 1 Corinthians context.
1 Corinthians 15:50–57 ESV
I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Doxology
Benediction:
1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
?Sources
Mangum, Douglas, ed. Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament. Lexham Context Commentary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020.
Moo, Douglas J. The Letter of James. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos, 2000.
Moyter, J.A. The Message of James. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grover, IL; Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1985.
Nystrom, David P. The NIV Application Commentary: James. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1997.
?Questions for reflection and discussion:
Read: James 5:1-11
Who are the two groups of people to whom James is directing his instruction?
Why should the rich “weep and howl”?
How do verses 1-6 relate to Luke 6:24?
What is the hope of the unjust rich?
How is the coming of the Lord a threat or warning for one group and a hope for another?
What is the overall message or application for believers in verses 7-11?
In verse 9, James urges us not to grumble against one another. How does this verse fit within the overall context? Why is grumbling a temptation for us?
What examples does James provide for us as an encouragement to be patient and steadfast? How are they similar? How are they different?
