English, James, Lesson 015, Patient Waiting (James 5:7-12)

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JAMES - Be Doers of the Word, and not Hearers Only
Studies in the Letter of James (by Dr. Richard Thomas)

Chapter V

Patient Waiting (James 5:7-12)

JAMES 5:7-12
7 Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receives the early and late rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Don’t grumble, brothers, against one another, so that you won’t be judged. Behold, the judge stands at the door. 10 Take, brothers, for an example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we call them blessed who endured. You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the Lord in the outcome, and how the Lord is full of compassion and mercy. 12 But above all things, my brothers, don’t swear, neither by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath; but let your “yes” be “yes”, and your “no”, “no”; so that you don’t fall into hypocrisy.

This is a reference to the Parousia, the return of the Lord in his good time. So Christians have waited for centuries in the context of oppression, suffering and verbal abuse. So patience is needed along with endurance. James uses the analogy of farming. No amount of anxiety or impatience will hasten the day of the Lord, or quicken the harvest.

Also cited is Job’s example to press the point on the need for perseverance. Impatience leads one to grumble, … grumbling is often directed to others and leads to illwill. Besides Job, Joseph, Moses and Jesus adorn the virtue of patience, suggesting another beatitude, “Blessed are those who endure”.

‘Swear not’ recalls Matthew 5:33-37 and covers thoughtless oaths taken to push in one’s opinions. There is also the reckless use of the Holy Name for emphasis so common in Arabic conversation. This command, however, does not apply to oaths required in civil court. Though there are some Christians who may refuse to take such oaths.

Waters of Life

Patient Waiting (James 5:7-12)