The Epistle of James, Part 7
We’re on the downward descent in our series on James, with only 2 weeks left, the tough stuff must be over, right? Well James hits hard all the way to the end, and in a passage where the Old Testament character Job, the coming of the Lord, and swearing oaths are mentioned, you can be sure it will still pack a punch.
“Job and His Friends” Ilya Repin, 1869, Oil Painting
Anchor Texts:
Questions to Ponder:
What do you think of when you hear the phrase “the day of the Lord.” In different passages in scripture, it has lightly different meanings, either temporal or final judgement. Does this present a problem or additional challenge to us as we read scripture? Look at Matthew 24 and our passage from James today again to compare. For further study, compare these passages to Paul’s letters like 2 Thessalonians 2.
What kinds of oppression have you experienced? Are there any examples from your life you can share and consider how it required patience and trust in God in the suffering?
Consider the phrase “the purpose of the Lord” and its proximity to “compassion” and “mercy” in our passage today. How does this serve to shape and qualify everything else preceding it in today’s passage?
Are you grumbling against someone in your life, or do you have unfinished business? Are you trying to justify the way you feel when really there is something negative simmering beneath the surface? What can you do today to change that situation?
Consider James 5:12 - What’s going on here? Why does James jump to oaths after what he said before? Might the oaths have something to do with being impatient? Escaping suffering? Justifying ourselves or swearing revenge? What do you think?
The Theme in Art:
Like John Martin, Colman specialised in apocalyptic paintings. Colman was a Nonconformist: a Protestant who opposed the Established Church, in this case the Church of England. Not surprisingly, this painting shows the embodiment of state-run religion – a Gothic cathedral – being destroyed, with its inhabitants cowering in terror. Resurrected spirits rise from the ground and assemble in the sky above. The cathedral’s stone cross, representing established religion, crashes to the ground, silhouetted by a blood-red horizon. Meanwhile the true cross, the symbol of Christ’s sacrifice and of eternal life and here representing pure faith, appears in the brilliant celestial light.
Gallery label, September 2004
The Theme for Kids:
What does Justice mean?
Who decides what is right and wrong in your life? God? Your parents? You? What happens when people make mistakes, or even ignore justice on purpose?
Should we get angry when we see injustice? Hmm. Should we hurt others who hurt us? Hmm..
This video helps kids think about what justice is, why it matters, and how to be fair and patient.
The Theme In Song:
From an Album you can find on Spotify or Apple music called “Justice Songs” by The Ports Gate. Have a listen to a song that is a prayer to be a instrument of peace in a world of oppression.