A study in five weeks
LESSON ONE: True Religion endures hardships and trials (Chapter 1:2-18)
To view this online: https://youtu.be/xwV0MekRzmA
INTRODUCTION
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Introduction
As is our custom, we will study this Bible book, section by section, and sometimes line by line. First things first. Who wrote this letter? Yaakov was the brother of Yeshua, half-brother since they had the same mother, but different fathers. He would have grown up as the kid brother to our messiah. I’m amazed when I think about this. I was the younger of two brothers, and imagining our righteous messiah in a family… well, it was different in those days.
Brother? Yes, Mary and Joseph had other children (Matt. 13.55-56, Mark 6.3). He didn’t believe in Yeshua at one point (John 7.1-5, Mark 3.31-35)
Yaakov introduces himself in one line and then gets to instructions. That one line really matters. He does not claim to be a master; he doesn’t claim to be the bishop of Jerusalem; he is a bondservant and claims no other special title. He took Yeshua’s advice personally, as we read, “Sitting down, Yeshua called the twelve and said to them, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.’” (Mark 9.35)
What are his credentials? Servant. His name alone was enough to identify him to the people to whom he wrote.
To whom is he servant? To the Master, kurios, the Lord. Not to the church, not to the brethren, not to the religion he identified in the census, but to God. Sounds like
עֶֽבֶד־יְהוָ֛ה
Eved Adonai. He’s taken the identity of Moses and Yeshua and said ‘yes’ to the Lord aa well.
Martin says, “Furthermore, other examples in the NT suggest that the phrase in verse 1 “The Lord Yeshua Messiah” became a fixed title early in the church. In Acts it appears on the lips of Peter (11:17), as part of the “decree” of Jerusalem (15:26) and as a summary of Paul’s message at Rome (28:31).”
Now, to whom did he write? Verse one tells us. The 12 tribes. That means Jewish people. (Actss 26.7) God bless those of you who are not Jewish on this Zoom call or who are watching this video later, but you are reading someone else’s mail. And we are glad you can do so.
Some like the commentator John Dickson sneak around this clear phrase and tells the readers of his book that this means the ‘people of God’ or the Church. Clever, but just not there. Sorry, John.
Also, some of you have heard about the Lost Tribes of Israel, the 10 Lost Tribes. Let me say that at the time of the 1st century, when Yaakov wrote this letter, the 12 tribes were known. None were missing. None were lost. That may help us in unpacking other historical concerns another day.
Martin says of Yaakov, “Paul of the epistles evidently held James in high regard. He acknowledges making his acquaintance (Gal 1:19; 2:2, 6, 9; 1 Cor 9:5; 15:7), and he seeks to place his own ministry in a context of cordial relations with the leader of the Jerusalem community (Gal 2:1–10), even if those relations were strained at a later time (Gal 2:12–21; cf Acts 21:18–26 for one version of James’ latent hostility to Paul, albeit based on what the narrator regarded as unfounded rumour, 21:21).”
a. With joy and patience (Chapter 1:2-4)
Our theme in studying this book is True Religion. Now some of you will balk at that phrase. You will tell me and others that you don’t have a religion, you have a relationship with God. I love that, by the way. I’m glad you can identify the difference between true and false religion. You might despise what is known as religion in the world today. You would cite Paul to his apostolic sidekick Timothy, “In the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.” (2 Tim. 3.1-5)
Like Paul, you would say those are religious people, but not real believers. I get that.
Even so Yaakov sees what we do in terms of ‘our faith’ or in his term, ‘true religion.’ And he wants us to make sure our calling and election are sure. He wants us to behave in word and deed in such a way that we honestly and honourably represent the Lord of life. That’s Yaakov’s term ‘religion.’ And let me say, it’s the way most people in the world use the term. Let’s talk that way for the next 4 weeks, is that ok?
Yaakov writes chapter one like a Table of Contents. That is, many of these items will show up later in this short letter, so he lists the categories first. Thus he begins his teaching with the idea of endurance. If you have a religion that works, it must work when times are tough. Anyone can live somewhat well when times are easy. Yeshua said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matt. 5.43-48)
You will have troubles, Yeshua taught us. Rain will come on the good and the bad people. Tornadoes, COVID, tsunamis, economic downturns, happen to us all. In John we read these words of our messiah, “They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God.” (16.2) and again, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (16.33)
Yaakov picks up this theme and says we are going to suffer tribulations and troubles. In verse two he says that this testing will produce endurance. (Greek: hupomonen ὑπομονήν.)
That compound word means to ‘remain under’ It’s a long-lasting residual reality. Anyone can start well; a true religionist stays to the end. Remaining, no matter what trials, or storms befall us. We are those who ‘endure to the end.’ What a massive meme Yaakov drops on us at the beginning, but really, it’s just picking up Yeshua’s remarks at his last seder and reminding the 12 tribes of this truth; we will have troubles. Hang in there.
But wait, he doesn’t just say ‘tough it out.’ He does not insist on our using white knuckles to remain. He says, “Count it all joy.” WHAT??? This is outrageous. But remember the context. The community of faith is copping it hard from the anti-messianic folks of the day. The government of Rome hates us. Many Jewish people hate us. Pagans find us anti-idolatry and thus against them. Nothing then has changed in our day and age, has it?
Paul wrote, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8.18) Peter said something similar, “to the degree that you share the sufferings of Messiah, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Messiah, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” (1 Peter 4.13-14)
Think of every gold medal winner in the Olympics. They trained for years, the same gymnastic routine, the same half-marathon pace, the same dive, over and over and over. Suffering injury and heartbreaking losses, then they finally were chosen to represent their country. Over 200 countries represented in the games that just ended on Sunday. Hundreds of medals were handed out, but listen to this statistic, from the USA Today paper,
“While the United States has had no difficulty collecting gold, silver, and bronze throughout the years (almost 3,000, double that of Germany which comes in 2nd), some countries haven’t been so fortunate in achieving their golden goals. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognizes 206 National Olympic Committees (NOC) in addition to the Refugee Olympic Team, but over 70 countries that currently compete in the Games have never won a medal.“ (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2021/07/23/team-usa-most-olympic-medals-countries-with-none/8008137002/)
Imagine all those people; all that expense; all those dreams. And no medal to show. And that’s only for sport.
Yaakov says, “Rejoice,” not because of your trial, but because you have been counted worthy to share in Messiah’s sufferings and this trial will pass. That trouble will end. Only eternity with God will last forever. Keep your eyes fixed on that.
b. With godly wisdom (Chapter 1:5-8)
Yaakov then shows us this truth from another angle. He expects us to balk at this rejoicing, and to say, “I don’t know how to do this.”
Martin says, “The situation of the readers who are facing trial is such that they need to know how to cope with these experiences. Hence there is the need of “wisdom” (σοφία)…The readers are facing some real problems arising from persecution, and it is the gift and application of wisdom to see these trials in their proper light and respond accordingly.”
Not a problem. He says if you lack wisdom, ask God. He will supply the answer. He gives generously. He gives without reproaching or upbraiding us.
What is upbraiding? μὴ ὀνειδίζοντος
For me this is pictured in the Three Stooges routines where one slaps the other on the head and calls him “knucklehead!” God won’t be like Moe or Curly. He will give us what we need to practice true religion without calling us stupid or saying, “You should already have known this, blockhead!” He gives generously. What an awesome picture of love and care. As a result of knowing God wants to be so generous, let us not doubt. διακρίνω
The Greek word for doubt here is another compound word and means, “Standing divided.” If God is our all-in-all, if he wants us to know him and to represent him in this tough-as-nails world, then don’t be divided. Look to him, or as we learned in the Joshua series, cling to him and hold fast to him, amen?
Yaakov uses the image of the tossed sea. (verse 6) And my mind rushes to Matthew 14, to the story where Yeshua walks on the water, and Peter does also. Then Peter begins to slip and Yeshua holds onto him. He says this, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (.31) The word is very similar to our word in Yaakov. It means to ‘stand divided.’ Yes, there are situations which arise which are big and troublesome, and yet… and yet… God is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond what we ask or think. Amen?
Seek his wisdom, gain it, and live in response to that. Thirdly, today we learn that we should conduct true religion
c. From a proper perspective (Chapter 1:9-11)
What is a proper perspective? The table of contents of chapter one showcases one of the major themes of the letter: rich and poor. This goes against the spirit of the age in our society today and certainly counter the trends of the world in which Yaakov lived. Then the rich were esteemed, and the poor were downtrodden. Yeshua knew that well and highlighted that in the Beatitudes of Matthew 5.
So, Yaakov introduces us to the subject which will pop back up again and again. Verse 9 says the brother of humble circumstance should glory in his high position. What? Again, the upside-down world of the Kingdom of God is in view. The rich are like grass (see Isaiah 40.5), so whatever our perspective about finances and the fear of not having enough, due to Covid or due to our own inabilities, or just plain bad luck. God says trust in him, not in human strength. Trust in him, not in the perspectives of the mammon-lovers of the world. The Asaph singers of Psalm 73 remind us, “I was envious of the arrogant As I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pains in their death, and their body is fat… When I pondered to understand this, it was troublesome in my sight until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end.” (3-4, 16-17)
Keeping a wise perspective, seeing things from God’s point of view, that’s how we win in this transitory life.
Fourth, Yaakov tells the 12 tribes to represent True Religion,
d. Given an understanding of temptation (Chapter 1:12-15)
Verse 12 has an Olympic imagery that you may have missed when you first read this. The verse begins with the Blessing (Hebrew: Asher/ Gk: Makarios) like Yeshua gave in the Sermon on the Mount with the opening listing of Beatitudes. Now Yaakov says you will be blessed if (he reiterates the trials motif from earlier) you hupomeno (remain or) endure and in fact, you will receive the Crown of Life. Crown=Stephanos. The Olympic wreath worn around the head by the winner of the race. No gold medals in those days, but green majestic wreaths, yes! That’s what awaits us if we remain, if we endure, if we stay the course, under trial. We will gain the victory!
This is classic Jewish wisdom literature as in the Proverbs and Psalms, and here:
“But the righteous live for ever, and their reward is with the Lord; the Most High takes care of them. Therefore, they will receive a glorious crown, and a beautiful diadem from the hand of the Lord. (Wisdom of Solomon 5:15–16a)”
Wisdom from above, which Yaakov will again mention in more detail later, is key to the way to overcome temptation, that’s his understanding. And if we understand, we will practice true religion.
One more thought here about temptation, and this coined phrase about “God cannot be tempted by evil” (verse 13).
“The basic idea is that God is impervious to evil and so cannot be thought of as desiring that it should be part of human experience; Mussner, 87, translates the Greek as unversuchbar); (iii) God ought not to be tempted by evil persons (Spitta, Commentary, 34; a meaning championed by Davids, 83, who relates the occasion to the OT scene of Deut 6:16: “When James hears the person start to accuse God, his mind flashes back to Israel in the wilderness and out comes the indignant rebuke, ‘God ought not to be tested by evil people’” ).” (Martin)
Note the LSD of the verses here. Lust leads to sin; sin leads to death. Lust is not only sexual. You can lust without any appetite for sexual pleasure, but it’s hard to have sexual pleasure without lust. Lust in this context is a passion to have, to possess, without God’s desires known. We will talk more about that in chapter 4.
Finally, in today’s episode, we are to
e. Know the Father and his goodness (Chapter 1:16-18)
When I ponder this paragraph, this is really the highlight of it all. The punchy, Proverbs-like epithets of the whole book come to the climax in verses 16-18. Wisdom is not just information. Hearing is not only auditory. Faith is not mere assent to facts. God wants a relationship with us, one by one, individually, and personally. Like a father to a son or daughter. By which we cry ‘abba’ to the One who is the originator, or as the text says, “The Father of lights” (.17). No shadow of turning. What you see at 5 am or midday or at 10 pm… God doesn’t change. He’s the faithful one. He’s the relentlessly capable and qualified lover of our souls.
Next week we will talk more about some of these Table of Contents matters and zoom in on the issue of the rich and poor again and especially practicing what we hear in our True Religion. I’ll hope to see you then. In a few minutes, we will open the floor for questions and comments.
INVITATION
Dear friends, if you’d like to have true religion, if you want to know Messiah personally like we do; if you want to be born again, why not pray with us right now? Pray and ask God to show you how to have true religion. Ask him to forgive you your sins and to make you born again.
Then let us know you have done this, won’t you? Write to us (admin@jewsforjesus.org.au) and tell us you have prayed for the first time. We want to send you some literature and welcome you to the family.
And if you have any questions, use that same address, ok?
And join us next week as I continue the study of Yaakov, with True Religion: It’s about doing and hearing, both!
Until then, Shabbat shalom.
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Our series’ outline (Today’s lesson in red)
I. True Religion endures hardships and trials (Chapter 1:2-18)
a. With joy and patience (Chapter 1:2-4)
b. With godly wisdom (Chapter 1:5-8)
c. From a proper perspective (Chapter 1:9-11)
d. Given an understanding of temptation (Chapter 1:12-15)
e. Knowing the Father and his goodness (Chapter 1:16-18)
II. True Religion consists of doing, not only hearing (Chapter 1:19-2:26)
a. First you have to hear (Chapter 1:19-20)
b. After hearing, doing is required (Chapter 1:21-27)
c. In doing, show no favouritism (Chapter 2:1-13)
d. Doing demonstrates our faith (Chapter 2:14-26)
III. True Religion displays wisdom, not only information (Chapter 3:1-18)
a. The problem of the tongue (Chapter 3:1-12)
b. Contrast between heavenly and earthly wisdom (Chapter 3:13-18)
IV. True Religion begins with humility (Chapter 4:1-17)
a. Friend or foe? (Chapter 4:1-6)
i. Three wars
b. Drawing close to God (Chapter 4:7-17)
i. Three enemies
ii. Three admonitions
V. True Religion is blessed (Chapter 5:1-20)
a. Not blessed, the rich oppression (Chapter 5:1-6)
i. Be prayerful in economic troubles
b. The blessing of patience (Chapter 5:7-12)
i. Be prayerful in physical troubless
c. The blessing of prayer (Chapter 5:13-18)
i. Be prayerful in national troubles
d. Blessing those who fail (Chapter 5:19-20)
i. Be prayerful in church troubles
Bibliography
Dickson, John (and Simon Smart), Vital Signs, Aquila Press, Sydney, 2006.
Martin, Ralph P., James, Word Biblical Commentary Series, Nelson Publishing, Nashville, 2006.
Wiersbe, Warren, Be Mature, SP Publications, Wheaton, IL, 1978.
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