Call to Commitment

One-room schoolhouse

                            James 1:19-27

 

Swift to hear… with meekness

      19.  So then, my beloved brethren, let every man  be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;    

     20.  for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 

    21.  Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 

When I was in first and second grade, I went to a one-room schoolhouse, for first through eighth grades. The students were called, a grade at a time, to sit at a table with the teacher in the front of the room. I used to listen attentively, as the teacher gave the higher grades their lessons and was able to glean a good deal from them. In biblical studies, we soon learn that the Bible offers insights into the spiritual world that go far beyond what one person can learn in a lifetime. We need to listen to others.

 John Wesley outlines the rest of the book by verse 19: “Let every man be swift to hear – This is treated from James 1:21 to the end of the next chapter. Slow to speak – Which is treated in the third chapter. Slow to wrath – Neither murmuring at God, nor angry at his neighbor. This is treated in the third, and throughout the fourth and fifth chapters.”

 In verse five, James counseled the Christian to pray for wisdom and in verse 19, he is adding to this advice, showing us that prayer should be coupled with a desire to listen. In conversation, we learn as others share what they have learned and, of course, through preachers and teachers, our knowledge of the Word grows. Reading is a form of listening and blessed is the Christian, who is a good reader. We must be ready and anxious to hear. 

 

Gold refined in the fire

James 1:2-18

 

Trials and patience

      2.      My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 

            3.      knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 

            4.      But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 

James begins the instruction in his letter by pointing to the benefit that only comes from being put to the test in various ways. He teaches that a Christian should be joyful for it, because it produces patience. In Romans 5:3-4, Paul writes the same, but instead of using the term, count it all joy, he says, we glory in tribulations, and then gives a series of virtues, stemming from tribulation, in which the Christian should glory. He agrees with James in that it will work patience, then goes on to say that patience works character, and that in turn produces hope: “We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” 

 Peter uses the same term as James, various trials, which in themselves are not pleasant, but he views it as the testing of faith: “Now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire” (1 P.1:6,7). He compares it to the refining of gold by fire, which is done to take out its impurities, leaving it in its purest form. Therefore, tests are not given to see how much the believer can endure, but rather one which brings him into a higher, purer level of faith.

 The writer of Hebrews agrees with Peter that the immediate reaction to trouble is not joy, but pain: “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (He.12:11). Discipline is not necessarily a punishment for wrongdoing, but something that God works in us, because of the benefit that will result. We must learn to “count it all joy” in trials, concentrating on the benefits that can only be obtained through them.

 The apostles give us a perfect example of the principle of being joyful in tribulation, after they came back from the council, before whom they were whipped. They did not feel good, as they received the blows on their body, but “they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Ac.5:41). We learn from all these sources - Paul, Peter, Hebrews, the apostles in Acts, as well as James - that there are priceless treasures, produced by various trials. Knowing of them, we can find joy, when we go through them. Mark Mathes wrote the following words in a beautiful song:

“Sometimes it takes a mountain, sometimes a troubled sea,

Sometimes it takes a desert to get ahold of me;

Your love is so much stronger that whatever troubles me,

Sometimes it takes a mountain to trust You and believe.”

 Beginning with this introduction, we launch an expositional study of the general epistle of James. We will try to follow with a study in 1 & 2 Peter, 2 & 3 John, and Jude. We hope you will desire to enter this study, as students of Scripture, and as true Christians, hungry for the "milk of the word". Please open the map below to a larger vew, to be able to see the key in green, red and yellow of the three dispersions of the Jews.

Dispersion to Assyria, Babylon and in Acts

Introduction

 

Who was James?

“James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord  Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings” (James 1:1).

  The first verse itself of James’ letter provides the introduction to it, giving us the author and the people, to whom he wrote. The purpose of the letter will develop throughout the book, as the author addresses the needs of the Jewish Christians. The needs and desires of Christians down through the ages, give us reason to study its chapters for our profit, regardless of our personal backgrounds. The Holy Spirit places the book of James within the canon of Scripture for the edification of the church throughout its history.

 James introduces himself in the very first word, but to discover the author, we must identify him among the various men called James in the New Testament. That task is not entirely simple. First, we must eliminate the original disciple, James, the brother of John and son of Zebedee. We read of his martyrdom in Acts 12:1 and 2: “Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.” 

 This took place about 11 years after the death, resurrection and ascension of Christ. At that time, Herod imprisoned Peter, who was supernaturally released by an angel, as the believers prayed for him. He appeared at the door of Mary, the mother of John Mark, without entering, but asked them to relay his liberation to “James and to the brethren” (Ac.12:17). This James, the writer, lived on, after James, the brother of John, was killed.

 There is another James among the twelve that Jesus appointed, often called James, the Less. He is identified as the son of Alphaeus and called the Less, probably because of the prominence of James, the son of Zebedee. He was the son of Alphaeus, certainly not the son of Joseph, the carpenter, as was the author of the book that we are about to study.

 Jesus’ townspeople mentioned his half-brothers by name, James, Joses, Judas, and Simon, as well as referring to His sisters. They thought that Jesus was the son of the carpenter (Joseph) and Mary (Mt.13:55-56), not recognizing His divine conception. Paul identifies James, in his letter to the Galatians, as a pillar in the Jerusalem church: “When James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars…” (Gal.2:9). He also identified James as an apostle and Jesus’ brother: “I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother” (Gal.1:19). He is the writer of this book.

 

 

 

The Fall of Jerusalem Recounted

1.      Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 

2.      He also did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. 

3.      For because of the anger of the LORD this happened in Jerusalem and Judah, till He finally cast them out from His presence. Then Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. 

4.      Now it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the   month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came against Jerusalem and encamped against it; and they built a siege wall against it all around. 

5.      So the city was besieged until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah. 

6.      By the fourth month, on the ninth day of the month, the famine had become so severe in the city that there was no food for the people of the land. 

7.      Then the city wall was broken through, and all the men of war fled and went out of the city at night by way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king's garden, even though the Chaldeans were near the city all around. And they went by way of the plain. 

8.      But the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king, and they overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. All his army was scattered from him. 

9.      So they took the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, and he pronounced judgment on him. 

10.  Then the king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. And he killed all the princes of Judah in Riblah. 

11.  He also put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon bound him in bronze fetters, took him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death. 

12.  Now in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month (which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, who served the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. 

13.  He burned the house of the LORD and the king's house; all the houses of Jerusalem, that is, all the houses of the great, he burned with fire. 

14.  And all the army of the Chaldeans who were with the captain of the guard broke down all the walls of Jerusalem all around. 

15.  Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive some of the poor people, the rest of the people who remained in the city, the defectors who had deserted to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the craftsmen. 

16.  But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left some of the poor of the land as vinedressers and farmers. 

17.  The bronze pillars that were in the house of the LORD, and the carts and the bronze Sea that were in the house of the LORD, the Chaldeans broke in pieces, and carried all their bronze to Babylon. 

18.  They also took away the pots, the shovels, the trimmers, the bowls, the spoons, and all the bronze utensils with which the priests ministered.

19.  The basins, the firepans, the bowls, the pots, the lampstands, the spoons, and the cups, whatever was solid gold and whatever was solid silver, the captain of the guard took away. 

20.  The two pillars, one Sea, the twelve bronze bulls which were under it, and the carts, which King Solomon had made for the house of the LORD the bronze of all these articles was beyond measure. 

21.  Now concerning the pillars: the height of one pillar was eighteen cubits, a measuring line of twelve cubits could measure its circumference, and its thickness was four fingers; it was hollow. 

22.  A capital of bronze was on it; and the height of one capital was five cubits, with a network and pomegranates all around the capital, all of bronze. The second pillar, with pomegranates was the same. 

23.  There were ninety-six pomegranates on the sides; all the pomegranates, all around on the network, were one hundred.

At the end of chapter 51, we are informed that Jeremiah has finished his book. This chapter is added later. It is also evident that Jeremiah was not alive to give the account concerning King Jehoiachin, at the end of this chapter, 37 years after the king was taken into captivity. It is, then, an appendix to the book, some think probably written by Ezra.

 It begins with a short biography of King Zedekiah, then recounts the story of the defeat of Jerusalem, from verse 4 to 16, already related by Jeremiah in chapter 39. You may want to return to that chapter to review my comments about this event. Various details are given throughout the book of Jeremiah and this account is also written in 2 Kings 24 and 25. 

 

Babylon mound

Chapter 51

 

The Lord orders the righteous fall of Babylon

 1.      Thus says the LORD: "Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, Against those who dwell in Leb Kamai, A destroying wind. 

2.      And I will send winnowers to Babylon, Who shall winnow her and empty her land. For in the day of doom They shall be against her all around. 

 3.      Against her let the archer bend his bow, And lift himself up against her in his armor. Do not spare her young men; Utterly destroy all her army. 

 4.      Thus the slain shall fall in the land of the Chaldeans, And those thrust through in her streets. 

The judgment of Babylon is given major attention at the end of this book of Jeremiah, more than any other foreign nation. Babylon plays a major role, throughout the book, as the conqueror of Judah and as their captors. It was a mighty empire, the head of gold in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a great image, interpreted by Daniel, to be the prominent, over the three empires that follow.

 The Omniscient knows the history of this city and, beyond its physical majesty in Jeremiah’s day, is concerned with its spiritual roots. The spirit in its roots carries on down through the centuries, even after physical Babylon is in ruins, and survives nearly to the end of time. The Babylon of the book of Revelation is certainly not literal Babylon, but a city which continues in the spirit of ancient Babylon, representing its idolatrous religion, its economy, and its politics. This is the story behind these two lengthy chapters in Jeremiah.

 The city was founded by Nimrod, who also built Nineveh, capital of the Assyrian Empire (Ge.10:10-11). Nimrod was grandson of Ham and great-grandson of Noah. Being the builder of cities, which became so prominent in the earth, we can understand why he was given special attention, above his brothers, in Genesis 10:7-8. “He was a mighty one in the earth,” well-known in the primitive world after the flood, and mentioned in an ancient proverb: “Like Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord.” (Ge.10:9).

 Matthew Henry comments that “the first builders of cities, both in the old world, and in the new world here, were not men of the best character and reputation: tents served God’s subjects to dwell in; cities were first built by those that were rebels.” Nimrod’s position before the Lord, was not a favorable one, but that of a renowned rebel, who defied God. He was a hunter of men, not animals, meaning that he persecuted them to gain rulership over them. He set up his own government and his own idolatrous religion and so, Babylon became the Mother of Harlots (Rv.17:5). Nimrod, in some way, was involved in the construction of Babel, later called Babylon. Even from its inception, it was a center of humanistic ideology (Ge.11:1-7): “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves.” This ideology has come into play in our day: “Man, you can do anything that you set your heart on. Dream big dreams!” That is the language of humanism and of Antichrist.