Digging Deeper Jams 5:7 with Commentary

People can really try our patience can't they? Not everyone got the memo about doing things our way. Why do we grow impatient with people? They are not living up to our expectations. People cut in line at the deli, people cut us off on the highway. People disagree with our political preferences and don't hesitate to voice them...strongly. We do not like being mistreated whether by someone we know or someone we don't know. James challenges us to look beyond our immediate circumstance to the bigger picture and the Lord's return.

James 5:7, "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains."

Commentary:
...patient. The word emphasizes patience with people...not trials or circumstances (as in 1:3). Specifically, James has in mind patience with the oppressive rich.
...the coming. The Second Coming of Christ." "Realizing the glory that awaits them at Christ's return should motivate believers to patiently endure mistreatment
...the early and later rains. The early rain falls in Israel during October and November and softens the ground for planting. The latter rain falls in March and April, immediately before the spring harvest. Just as the farmer waits patiently from the early rain to the latter for his crop to ripen, so must Christians patiently wait for the Lord's return... [The MacArthur Bible Commentary, by John MacArthur pg. 1896]

Have a great week.

Blessings,
Diane