For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
James 5
When I read through the book of Job recently, I began to see it from a different light. I was reading in Revelation at the same time, and had just read through the three Johns. The theme of perseverance in suffering runs heavily through all four of those books. So it made me think that part of the purpose of the book of Job was to let us know that suffering in this life is a certainty for God’s faithful, “but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matt. 24:13).
James just gave me confirmation of that thought. “Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 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.” (Jms. 5:11).
One other thing that stood out to me in this chapter this morning is James’ word to the rich. More specifically, his word to the stingy rich. “You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.” (Jms. 5:5). I know this verse reads, “in the day of slaughter”, but I couldn’t help reading it as, “for the day of slaughter”. As in, they are making themselves the fattened calf. We can store up treasures for ourselves in this life if we want to. We need to realize, though, that we are leading ourselves to our own destruction.
Is. 15-16
What was Moab’s sin and what is the prophet’s response to God’s judgment on Moab? What is your response when others suffer for their sins? I see a couple of common themes in Isaiah’s prophecies to Babylon and now Moab. First is the pride. Pride is always the downfall. Standing on pride is like standing on a bubble. You may think it lifts you up, but there is no substance to it. When it pops, which it will always do at some point, you crash to the ground with nothing to break your fall. Both nations were guilty of pride and God warned them, through Isaiah, of the results.
Another common theme is the end of the oppressor. It is the oppressors who are full of pride, bringing injustice on those God says we should seek to help and protect. Satan is the ultimate oppressor, working hard to lead as many as possible to their own destruction. God promises an end to all of that.
Lastly, there is always a promise of hope, the promise that righteous justice will rise up in place of oppression. “In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it – one from the house of David – one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.” (Is. 16L5). Jesus is this promised hope, and not just for God’s people, but for all the nations. “Let the Moabite fugitives stay with you; be their shelter from the destroyer.” (Is. 16:4a). Also, from yesterday’s reading, “Foreigners will join them and unite with the descendants of Jacob.” (Is. 14:1b). How blessed we are to live in a time when we can know God’s promised hope. How blessed we are to be filled with that hope as we wait for God’s promise of ultimate redemption, restoration, and reconciliation to be complete!