Memory Verse: “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” (James 5:8)
Scripture Reading: James 5:1-9 / Matthew 5:27-48
Introduction: Patience is another thing which grates against the “flesh.” A baby doesn’t want to be patient, he clamors to have his wants supplied. The cats around a saucer of milk don’t seem to be patient. Thus, it is obvious, that patience, the capacity of waiting, must be learned.
There are various types of affliction, some are of the body and are ever with us night and day. The broken or maimed bodies with which some people must go through life often help in teaching patience. Often afflictions come from fellow men. Mankind can be cruel in this way. Children as they are growing up often afflict less fortunate ones. And in later years and in more subtle or sophisticated ways, good people may be discriminated against at work or wherever.
A time of impatience which brought affliction is recorded in 2 Samuel 24. David wished to take a census of the people. God was generally opposed to this kind of thing as it gave room for the kings and others to trust in numbers. Joab, David’s general, counseled with him and showed him his folly. David, however, was impatient to have his own way and the census was taken. One of Israel’s great calamities resulted from this heady deed of David’s, and 70,000 of his country men died as a result.
Oddly enough the Lord gave David a choice of three different ways in which he could be punished: seven years of famine, three months to flee from before his enemies, or three days of plague.
Does it seem out of order to assume that the Lord gives us a choice of ways in which to be afflicted or chastened? It doesn’t seem unrealistic, recall the woman to whom Jesus said, “Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee” (John 5:14). In the sense of severity or degree of affliction it seems clear that we have a choice. Let us pray that He would afflict us lightly, and may we take heed thereby, quickly.
Lesson Questions:
- Is this message of James to the rich men a joyful message? What does he predict for their future? James 5:1; Proverbs 23:4-5; Jeremiah 9:23; Matthew 19:23-24; Luke 6:24-26.
- What has happened to their riches and garments? James 5:2; Matthew 13:22; Mark 10:23-25.
- What is said to be the condition of their gold and silver? For what have these men heaped together treasure? James 5:3; Revelation 6:15-17; Isaiah 2:17-21; Matthew 6:19-21.
- How have these rich men (who should weep and howl) dealt with their laborers? Where have the cries of the defrauded laborers entered? James 5:4; Jeremiah 22:13; Malachi 3:5. Note: The rich oppress the poor because they think no one will stand up for them, but the Lord of all the hosts of heaven and earth is their Defender, and He is coming back to make all things right.
- How have these men lived and what does James mean by saying that these men have nourished their hearts, “as in a day of slaughter?” James 5:5; Jeremiah 12:1-3.
- Why doesn’t the just man, whom they have condemned and killed, resist their treatment of him? James 5:6; James 4:2; Matthew 5:30-44.
- How long will patience be required and what example of patient waiting is given? James 5:7; Matthew 5:12.
- What will patient waiting do for us? For what purpose is this preparation? James 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13; 1 Thessalonians 2:19.
- For what may we be condemned? What does James say about the nearness of the judgment? James 5:9; 1 Peter 4:5-7.