7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.
Future Redress; 5:1-6
1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.
Patience in Suffering 5:7-11.
7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
An attitude of quiet but firm endurance. As a farmer waits for a valuable crop to ripen, so believers are to wait for Jesus’ return. The command “don’t grumble” indicates an inner and unexpressed attitude toward others. Even this is inappropriate for the judge stands just outside the door.
Example of Job – the Lord made him prosperous again. But our blessings cannot be expected until Jesus comes.
Do Not Swear; 5:12.
12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
The prohibition is not against cursing. It is against swearing an oath as security for one’s word. The simple “yes” or “no” of a believer should be his bond.
The Prayer of Faith; 5:13-18.
13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
Use both spiritual and medical resources when sickness comes. It is clear that in any case the healing will come from the Lord.
Health is an inner and spiritual state as well as a physical one.
Prayer is also vital. God wants us to see prayer as a “powerful and effective” resource. The point of the Elijah illustration is that Elijah too was “just a man like us.” Yet Elijah’s prayer brought a three and a half year drought, and another prayer released the rains. How then can we double the efficacy of prayer for the sick?
Restore the Sinner; 5:19-20.
19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
James concludes on a common note. A brother who sins is not condemned. Instead he is sought out, so we can “bring him back.” God loves all, and wants only to save.
