James continues his denunciations of the powerful, wicked rich. Building on the first three verses of the chapter he continues his list of why they are under God's judgement.
The second accusation is that they have cheated their workers. Those that are living hand-to-mouth are completely dependent upon receiving their wages: on time, and in the full amount. But the ungodly agricultural barons have done neither, defrauding their workers. A warning to us that we are to promptly, fairly and generously pay those who work for us, including such things as home improvement projects. But the poor have an advocate. Their prayers have "entered into" the ears of their God. Significantly, James does not say that God their Father hears their desperate cries, or The Lord their Provider, but the Lord Saboath, the Lord of Hosts. It is the Commander-In-Chief of the Armies of Heaven who will intervene on their behalf, meting our judgement.
The third accusation is that the rich are living in luxurious self-indulgence without a care for others or the Kingdom of Christ. Such selfishness is "fattening" them up for the Day of Slaughter, the Day of Judgement.
The fourth and final accusation is that the rich are persecuting the righteous poor. They condemn and kill the just. Although the murder is figurative, nevertheless their actions – withholding wages – could indeed cause great physical harm, placing the poor are in a desperate situation. A place where they are unable to resist the schemes and machinations of the powerfully rich.
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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.
