Submit
James next laid out how a follower submitted to God, allowing God’s greater grace to change him or her from one driven by desires into one who lived by faith and according to His will.
Weeping Before the Lord (1-6)
James first called upon the rich to weep, even howl (1). They had made a treasure out of possessions and were promised that their food would rot, their garments would be eaten by moths (2), their gold would become worthless, and worst of all, their physical strength would burn up, for they had been laying up such treasure for themselves (3). James told the rich (meaning not those who had much but those perceiving they didn’t need God) that they had exploited their employees by cheating them on their wages (4) and pursued their own ease of life ahead of helping others. In so doing, they unwittingly fattened themselves up for slaughter (5). He then identified whom he was specifically speaking to—those who killed the non-resistant Christ (6).
Waiting on the Lord (7-12)
Next, those who walked by faith and were committed to the will of God had to learn patience. James used the metaphor of the farmer planting and waiting for a crop (7). Patience was an issue of being fully devoted to waiting on the Lord to show up (8), and in the meantime, not grumbling against others because they were hindering one’s preferred outcome (9). James used Job as an example of patience to demonstrate the Lord's compassion and mercy when fulfilling His redemptive purpose (10-11).
James then encouraged these followers not to swear oaths to get themselves out of difficulty, which would bring them under more serious condemnation. They must wait on Christ to show up and execute His ultimate Lordship over every situation (12).
Praying to the Lord (13-18)
After weeping and waiting came praying. Here, James taught serious followers how to pray. If any suffered, they were to pray. If any were triumphant, they were to sing (13). If they were sick, the elders were to be called (14), and when they came, they were to anoint and pray in faith and then forgive any sin that may have been driving the sickness (15). Because sin could be connected to sickness, serious followers were to make it a practice of confessing sins, allowing those praying and those being prayed for to experience freedom, power, and effectiveness in prayer (16). He then referred to Elijah as an example of prayer, using the powerful influence his prayer had over the forces of nature (17-18).
Restoring to the Lord (19-20)
Lastly, James reminded those who seriously wanted to follow Jesus by faith and pursue His will to do the difficult chore of restoring brothers and sisters once committed to faith (19), reminding them of the two results when people were restored: their souls were saved and their multitude of sins forgiven (20).
Piecemeal Proverbs (22:17-31:9)
In this chapter, Hezekiah's scribes were putting together a group of Solomon’s proverbs they had discovered concerning friendship (1-10), the family (11-18), and the development of management skills (19-27).
In verses 1 through 4, Solomon gives excellent advice on those things detrimental to friendship.
In verses 1 and 2, he mentions the damage boasting can do.
In verses 3 and 4, he covers the issues of resentment and jealousy.
He moves from discussing those things that can harm friendships to those things that can foster good friendships.
In verses 5 and 6, the ability to take a rebuke is discussed.
In verse 7, he uses a metaphor to encourage one not to take friends for granted, nor to be overly picky.
In verse 8, Solomon warns his son not to wander too far from the home-like atmosphere of his friends.
In verse 9, his children are told that affectionate advice makes the stink of a bad situation smell better.
In verse 10, he calls for his children never to abandon a friend or family friend, for the friend who is near is often more valuable than the one far away.
Hezekiah's scribes now turn their attention toward the proverbs Solomon wrote concerning family.
In verse 11, notice the phrase “my son,” used twenty-three times in the book. Of first importance, Solomon wants his sons wise, to gladden his heart and quell the critics. He next encourages prudence so that danger and negative consequences are avoided (12). Then, he tells his children to be certain to get security on a debt from those to whom they are not related (13). He also encourages family members to be sensitive in expressing excitement over good fortune (14). In verses 15 through 16, a complaining wife is revealed as being torturous and impossible to hold back. In verse 17, Solomon reveals that outside of family relationships, a person needs friends who share blunt words with each other to shave and sharpen their lives. In verse 18, Solomon reminds his sons that if his family is going to prosper, he must pay his workers well and reward loyalty.
The scribes now turn to some proverbs that are meant to help his children develop their management skills.
They are to be aware that their face reflects what is in their heart (19).
Their desire will never be satisfied (20).
The praise they hear from others is a purity test (21).
Once a person is committed to foolishness, no matter how low you bring them, they will never get to the end of their rope (22).
Finally, Solomon gets to the real matter at hand: above all, take care, manage well, and do not neglect what makes you a living. You can't be sure of an inheritance or retirement, so care diligently for what supplies your living (23-27).