James 5:7-12

PATIENCE

patient - in trials (mistreated by the rich, the proud, trials 1:1-5) The righteous (the mistreated have had enough and they are ready to storm the castle.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twelve: The Power of Patience (James 5:7–12)

God is not going to right all the wrongs in this world until Jesus Christ returns, and we believers must patiently endure—and expect.

3 x’s James reminds us of the coming of the Lord which is a reminder of our Christian hope.

Titus 2:13 NASB95

looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,

life is not always going to be sunshine and rainbows. We are not guaranteed an easy and comfortable life John 16:33 ““These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.””

patient - long tempered (v. 7-10)

Sometimes doing what is right is going to bring suffering into our lives

the unrighteous may live in luxury but the next moment they are dead (Rich man & Lazarus)

endure v. 11 - to remain under - stand put and stand fast

3 examples of patience

the farmer - crops don’t appear overnight (except weeds), no control of the weather, takes time for plants to grow. Why does he wait so patiently

precious produce - it’s worth waiting for (is heaven?) Gal. 6:9 “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”

Mark 4:28–29 NASB95

“The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. “But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twelve: The Power of Patience (James 5:7–12)

James pictured the Christian as a “spiritual farmer” looking for a spiritual harvest. “Be ye also patient, establish your hearts” (James 5:8). Our hearts are the soil, and the “seed is the Word of God” (Luke 8:11). There are seasons to the spiritual life just as there are seasons to the soil. Sometimes, our hearts become cold and “wintry,” and the Lord has to “plow them up” before He can plant the seed (Jer. 4:3). He sends the sunshine and the rains of His goodness to water and nurture the seeds planted; but we must be patient to wait for the harvest.

Here, then, is a secret of endurance when the going is tough: God is producing a harvest in our lives

farmer is constantly at work- James didn’t say put on your white robes, climb a hill, and wait for Jesus return. Lk. 12:43 ““Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.”

coming of the Lord - death??? 1 Pet. 1:6-7

1 Peter 1:6–7 NASB95

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

farmer has no time for disputes with his neighbors

impatient with God leads to impatience with people. If we are busy using the sickles on each-other, we will mis the harvest.

Judge is watching what we do!

How do we suffer like Christ 1 Peter 2:21-25

1 Peter 2:21–25 NASB95

For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

sufferer might sin (don’t)

not deceitful - didn’t go say will work and then not

entrust yourself to the one who judges righteously.

THE PROPHETS

they were working for the Lord but they were suffering 2 Tim. 3:12 “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” obedience does not automatically produce ease and pleasure. Our Lord was obedient , and it lead to the cross

God was compassionate and merciful (God took care of Lazarus). He cares for us…Elijah

Acts 7:52 ““Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become;”

Jer. mistreated by his own - thrown in a well to die

Ezek. & Daniel

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twelve: The Power of Patience (James 5:7–12)

We need to remind ourselves that our patience in times of suffering is a testimony to others around us.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twelve: The Power of Patience (James 5:7–12)

The important thing is that, like the farmer, we keep working, and, like the prophets, we keep witnessing, no matter how trying the circumstances may be.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twelve: The Power of Patience (James 5:7–12)

you cannot persevere unless there is a trial in your life. There can be no victories without battles; there can be no peaks without valleys. If you want the blessing, you must be prepared to carry the burden and fight the battle.

JOB

Job’s distress, looses: wealth, family, health

Job’s defense - against his 3 friends CH. 4-31

Job’s deliverance 38-42 God humbles Job, Honors Job, gives Job twice as much

he didn’t know what was going on behind the scene

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twelve: The Power of Patience (James 5:7–12)

Satan predicted that Job would get impatient with God and abandon his faith, but that did not happen. It is true that Job questioned God’s will, but Job did not forsake his faith in the Lord. “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless, I will argue my ways before Him” (Job 13:15, NASB).

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twelve: The Power of Patience (James 5:7–12)

Job teaches us that God has higher purposes in suffering than the punishing of sin. Job’s experience paved the way for Jesus, the perfect Son of God who suffered, not for His own sins, but for the sins of the world.

God was glorified and Job was purified

v. 12 in suffering it is easy to say things you don’t mean, bargain with God

Mt. 5:34-37 ““But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. “Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. “But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil.”

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twelve: The Power of Patience (James 5:7–12)

James wanted to encourage us to be patient in times of suffering. Like the farmer, we are waiting for a spiritual harvest, for fruit that will glorify God. Like the prophets, we look for opportunities for witness, to share the truth of God. And, like Job, we wait for the Lord to fulfill His loving purpose, knowing that He will never cause His children to suffer needlessly. And, like Job, we shall have a clearer vision of the Lord and come to know Him better for having been in the furnace of affliction.