Activity: Discuss some well-known movies where bad guys get justice in the end? How does the screen writer build a sense of injustice? How does it feel when justice finally comes? Can you think of movies where the “bad guy” wins? How does that feel? (Usually this gets corrected in sequels: Star Wars, Avengers, Harry Potter)
Read: James 5:1-6 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.
Question 1: Many scholars believe James is addressing unbelievers here. What are some clues that this might be true? (Look at the words and context used in the entire book not just this paragraph)
Question 2: Assuming James is addressing the unchurched here, why does he include this warning to those in the church?
Explain: “Rich” is often used in Scripture as shorthand for the ungodly rich. Corrupt land owners who mistreated people were a common target of Old Testament prophets. Being wealthy is never condemned in Scripture, being ungodly is.
Read: James 5:7-11 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
Explain: James writes, “Be patient, then…” this means “therefore” or “in light of” what he has just written. So, since God will bring judgment on these who do injustice, “be patient.”
Question 3: Take one of the three examples of patience that Job uses, (farmer, prophet, Job) and describe why you think James uses them here? What are the implications and applications in light of his overall discussion?
Explain: In the middle of this passage he writes, “Don’t grumble against each other.” The word he uses can be translated “groaning.” Like in 2 Corinthians 5 where Paul writes of our longing groaning for the resurrection. This word was used to describe the verbalization of suffering or judgment.
Question 4: Why do we so often grumble against those closest to us when we are under stress?
Question 5: Where do you see the balance of God’s judgment and grace in this passage?
Question 6: What is the difference between moral clarity and moral superiority?
Question 7: Can you have moral clarity and moral courage and yet still be on the “wrong side of God”?
(Hint: you can lack humility)
Read: Psalm 37
Question 9: Compare David’s Psalm to James, how do they compare?
Explain: David had moral clarity and courage at times, but failed miserably at both at another important time in his life. Give the brief story on David and Uriah and Bathsheba. In the end, David’s sin cost him (much yet God was not done with him because he repented. David humbled himself before God.
Solzhenitsyn (souls zuh neat zen) wrote…“The line dividing good and evil runs through every heart.”
Question 8: In regards to cultural, theological, moral, ethical issues that surround all us, how can we live with moral clarity and courage and avoid moral superiority?
Conclude: Pray for moral clarity, moral courage, and humility in your life.