When we look at the circumstances of the wicked and the righteous on this side of eternity, it may seem like the wicked are better off. The wicked often have riches and pleasures whereas the godly are often poor and suffer affliction. However, appearances are deceiving.

The apostle James looks at life’s circumstances in the light of God’s coming judgment. In this light, the wicked have every reason to “weep and howl” (v. 1); the godly, to persevere patiently (vv. 7-8). What may seem unjust now will appear gloriously just on the great day of reckoning. That day is not far off. As James says, the coming of the Lord draws near (v. 8). The Judge stands at the door (v. 9). In that light, the success of the ungodly can best be com­pared to the fattening of oxen for slaughter: there is nothing worth envying there. On the other hand, the patience of the godly is like waiting for a full harvest. This view of things can help give us the focus we need in a world where things often seem upside down.

The Ungodly — Fattened for Slaughter⤒🔗

James begins chapter 5 with a taunt to those who have invested themselves in this world. He calls them to mourn because the things they are living for, their riches and possessions, are slipping through their fingers (5:1-6). He pinpoints what their actions have deserved and when they will be given their just rewards. He faces them with the day of reckoning. There are three things that James brings out regarding the ungodly.

First, James points out to them that their “heaven” is crumbling before their eyes (vv. 1-3). He is harking back to some­thing Christ said when He was on earth, namely, that earthly treasures will not last (Matt. 6:19-20). The rich have no shield against rust and moths; precious things don’t last but soon decay. The millionaire is powerless against the forces of corrosion and oxidation. His rusting Rolls-Royce or his moth-eaten golf shirts cry out to him: “Your self-made paradise is coming to an end.”

When we look around us, we can see this truth borne out day after day. The lifestyle of materialism and consum­erism that beckons us leaves us empty and unfulfilled. It cannot keep its promises of happiness and satisfaction. We only need to open our trash bins, forage through our basements, or look through our grandmother’s jewelry boxes to see the handwriting on the wall.

Secondly, James makes clear that fraudulent practices cry out for retribution (vv. 4, 6). In order to increase their own wealth, people in every age have been tempted to hold back their employees’ wages or to commit injustice in one way or another. The human heart covets and desires to have more than its fair share. But there is one who sees and knows all things. The Judge of all the earth will do right; He keeps a divine record of everything, including unpaid wages and owed taxes. Changes in the numbers on the accounting ledger do not escape Him. His books record every sin, and He will mete out judgment perfectly.

Thirdly, James declares that the pleasure the wicked enjoy on earth is simply the equivalent of fattening for the slaughter house (v. 5). The fact that the wicked enjoy many good times on the earth seems to collide with the justice of God, who cannot look upon sin without disfavor and anger. However, James reminds us not to envy them anymore than you would the cattle that are fed large quantities every day. The sumptuous living of many is no proof of future bliss. Rather, the opposite is often true.

The Godly — Waiting for a Full Harvest←⤒🔗

In verse 7, James shifts and addresses “the brethren.” He now comes to the question of what the godly should do when the wicked prosper. Should they adopt the ways of the wicked? Should they be envious and complain? Or should they even take up the sword and demand justice themselves? Should they break out in cursing or make rash oaths? These are all things that James’s readers may have been tempted to do. However, James instructs them otherwise in verses 7-11. This is not a time for rashness or uncontrolled emo­tion. The great need of the hour is patience. He mentions the word four times in five verses.

We could define patience as the virtue found in a heart graced by God that looks to God and waits for Him to act. It endures in this posture of waiting on God no matter how long it takes for God to fulfill His promise. James helps his readers understand what patience is by using the analogy of harvest. A farmer needs to patiently wait for the harvest; if he began harvesting the moment he saw some fruit forming, he would lose everything. In this connection, James mentions the early and latter rains (v. 7). In Palestine, rains fall very heavily during October and November and again during March and April. The early rains loosen the ground so that the farmer can plow up the ground and ready it for sowing. The latter rains help ripen the harvest. Just as a famer needs to be patient so that his crops ripen well, so believers must exercise patience till the great Husbandman returns for His full harvest.

James unpacks the duty of patience in four parts.

First of all, James emphasizes the need for stability of heart (v. 8). Patience begins in the heart and needs to be cultivated deep within. Impatience also arises in our hearts, when we are pulled back and forth by all kinds of emotions that might arise. That is why James says we should make every effort to keep a steadfast heart. We can strengthen our hearts when we by grace dwell on God’s promises. This will keep us from impatience.

Secondly, James instructs us not to be envious of others, but watch for God’s coming (v. 9). Instead of focusing on others, we should focus on the Lord. So often, our gaze can be on others and what they might have compared to us. Instead, we should set our sights on Christ’s coming again. When He returns, everything that was wrong will be set right.

Thirdly, James suggests as models the suffering saints of Scripture (v. 10). We should take encouragement from the example of past believers. James specifically mentions the prophets and Job. What examples these men were! None of them escaped trials. But when they came, they endured them and persevered. They didn’t abandon their confidence in God’s promises or in God’s character. Some, like Jeremiah and Job were especially tried and tempted to speak unwisely; yet, in the end, they staked their hopes on the Lord, His mercy, and His compassion. Their looking to God’s attributes and promises is a very helpful example to us.

Fourthly, James pinpoints our speech as an area where we should be especially cautious (v. 12). When we are trying to cultivate a patient spirit, we should especially guard our tongues (see Ps. 39:1). If we speak rashly, we are liable to make mistakes we will regret. Perhaps James was thinking of Job, who made heated statements, which he later regretted. At any rate, James is emphasizing how our tongues can be quick to incur guilt. We should guard them as best as we can with the Lord’s help.

James’s counsel is a great help for all of us. If we bear in mind the day of reckoning, we will not envy the wicked. That day will bring down upon them divine retribution. Instead, let us seek God’s grace to have the patience of a farmer waiting for a full harvest. We will not be disappointed.

Study Questions:←⤒🔗

1. James 5:1-3 depicts a lifestyle of luxury and pleasure-seeking. We see a lot of this today. How does this kind of lifestyle itself show it is not meant to bring ultimate happiness?
2. In verse 4 James uses an unique title for God: “the Lord of sabaoth.” This means “the Lord of hosts” or the “Lord of armies.” Why might James have used that title here? Perhaps Daniel 4:35 can help.
3. How is grudging or complaining not compat­ible with patience (v. 9)? How can we mortify the tendency to complain?
4. While encouraging patience, James calls the Lord both “the Judge” (v. 9), and “very pitiful” (compassionate) (v. 11). Are these descriptions not opposites? How can they both be encouraging to the believer?
5. When tempted to impatience, how should we respond? How can a focus on the attributes of God be of help (see v. 10b)?