James 5:7-11 is the flip side of the first six verses of the chapter. After James denounces the wicked rich he then exhorts his readers on how to respond to the persecutions of the wicked: patience.
In the middle of his exhortation, he seems to take a detour, warning about grumbling. But the word is nuanced, meaning to groan or sigh, especially in the middle of trials. We would think that the warning would be to not complain against the persecutors, but James instead says we have to be on guard to not complain against our brothers in Christ – that in the middle of suffering we do not take it out on those we love. And we are to do all this keeping in mind that the Lord will judge us as he is near, even at the door.
In verses 10 and 11 he returns to his exhortation to patience under duress. Previously he had used the farmer as an example of patience, now he points to the prophets and Job.
The prophets are examples of patience in that they spoke the Word of the Lord despite the hostile rejection of their message and themselves – sometimes to the point of death. Job, as a possible contrast to the prophets, is an Everyman: one who suffered afflictions with which we can identify. Although he is not a paragon of patience as defined by the world, he suffers long; he remains faithful to God. In the end, the Lord shows his purposes for the trials and again showers blessings upon Job. Prophets and Job: examples of trusting God's providence and enduring our sufferings knowing that He is good.
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Kurt Snow serves as a ruling elder at Covenant Reformed Church of Sacramento (RCUS). He served as a member of the Board of Governors of City Seminary of Sacramento from 2000 to 2020.
