November 17, 2024 - James 5

In the 8th century B.C., the prophet Amos declared against Israel, “They sold the innocent for silver, the needy for a pair of sandals.  They trample on the dirt-covered heads of the poor; they push the destitute away” (Amos 2:6-7).  He warned, “Listen to this message, you cows of Bashan who live on Mount Samaria!  You oppress the poor; you crush the needy” (Amos 4:1).  Bashan was a northern land, well watered with luxurious pastures on which the cows grew fat and sassy.  The people lay on their comfortable beds and demand to be waited on (Amos  4:1).  Amos declared, “You make the poor pay taxes on their crops and exact a grain tax from them” (Amos 5:11).  In these and so many other ways, the strong and the wealthy took advantage of the weak and the poor.  The strong profaned the temple and the courts of justice.

God has always been concerned about such matters.  James warns, “Come now, you rich!  Weep and cry aloud over the miseries that are coming on you.  Your riches have rotted and your clothing has become moth-eaten.  Your gold and silver have rusted and their rust will be a witness against you. . . . You have condemned and murdered the righteous person” (James 5:1-6).  Rather, should we not go to these and bring them to Jesus?

Rescue the perishing,

Care for the dying,

Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;

Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,

Tell them of Jesus the mighty to save.

Rescue the perishing,

Care for the dying;

Jesus is merciful,

Jesus will save.   –Fanny Crosby (1869)