Am I enduring like the prophets and Job?
Yesterday
We LOOKED at ‘how‘ and ‘why‘ we wait patiently like a Farmer.
Today
We’ll scope out waiting patiently like the Prophets and Job.
Open GODcha to the Book of James.
NOTE:
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Let’s Ask For Help
Lord, thank you for Your Word and the freedom we have to come to it and hear You speak to us! We come humble and hungry before You. Teach us! Open our eyes and ears, and illuminate our understanding as only You can do. May we finish today encouraged, willing to submit and obey Your commands to us. Thank you.
LOOK at What God Says 
Let’s pick up where we left off yesterday.
Let GODcha guide us.
Where will you begin?
Begin LOOKING by READING
Let’s read James 5:7-12 together, asking the 5W’s and H questions.
What does James command?
Have you thought and reasoned why these commands are important?
James explains how we can be patient by giving us 3 examples.
In verse 10, What is James next example of patience while suffering?
As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience,
take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
1. What is a 
prophet?
propheâtēs, to tell beforehand.
A messenger of God, who spoke by divine influence and inspiration. This included the foretelling of future events or the exhorting, reproving, and threatening of individuals or nations of God’s will to men (Ezek. 2).
In the NT prophets possess the prophetic gift imparted by the Holy Spirit. A class of instructors or preachers who were next in rank to the apostles and before the teachers (1Co 12:28).
2. Why did the prophets suffer?
The definition tells us, and so does James.
They spoke in the name of the Lord.
They spoke all that God is, had done and would do. And all God requires of man.
And God’s people refused to listen and believe what they said; became angry; and persecuted them.
3. Who would this be?
See in the definition of ‘prophet’, a long list.
Try using GODcha’s Word Search – search out ‘prophet’ and see everyone God called a prophet.
Let’s take a minute and do a quick LOOK!
Do you know their stories? How did they suffer?
Abraham – Gen 20:7 – tested when offered up Isaac.
Joseph – Gen 37:5-11 – betrayed, imprisoned for years.
Moses – Deut 18:18 – adopted, left the riches of Pharoah’s house, spent 40 yrs shepherding sheep, battled depression.
Elijah – 1Ki 18:22 – faced all the false prophets, life is threatened, ran into the desert asking God to take his life. He battled depression – 1Ki 19:4.
Elisha – 2Ki 9:1 – sick with fatal disease.
Jonah – 2Ki 14:25 – disobedience resulted in his suffering. Battled depression – Jon 4:3, 9.
Isaiah – 2Ki 19:2 – persecuted and it is said sawn in 2 by Manasseh.
David – Act 2:29-31 – About 15 yrs passed from the time he was anointed king to becoming king, most of that time spent running from Saul who was jealous of him and trying to kill him. He had no home, slept in caves. Battled deep despair – Psalms.
Jeremiah – 2Ch 36:12 – persecuted for faithfully speaking God’s Word to an unbelieving people of God. Beaten, thrown in a well to die. Dealt w/loneliness, feelings of defeat and even insecurity. Jer 20:14, 18.
Ezekiel – Eze 3:17 – God took his wife to be an example of the pain He was experiencing by God’s people.
Daniel – Dan 1 – Taken from his home by the Babylonians at the age of around 15, trying to brainwash him. Hated by other leaders, thrown in the lion’s den in his 80’s.
Hosea – Hos 1:1 – had to marry an unfaithful woman, and then pursue her to be a picture of God’s people.
Zechariah – Zec 1:7; 2Ch 24:22 – stoned to death for rebuking God’s people for their idol worship.
And Job – horrible loss of home, family, health, almost his life. Surrounded by friends who were blaming him. Battled depression – Job 3:11, 26; 10:1; 30:15-17.
John the Baptist – Mat 9:9-11 – imprisoned by King Herod, beheaded.
Jesus – Mat 21:11; Joh 1:21 – the Suffering Servant in Isa 53. Rejected by his own and crucified. Anguished – Isa 53:3; Mar 14:34-36; Luk 22:44.
Stephen – Act 7:54-60 – stoned to death.
4. Who does Hebrews add to this list?
Heb 11:32-36
For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel.. . (Heb 11:32-36)
5. How did they suffer?
Heb 11:37-38
They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. (Heb 11:37-38)
b. The Pharisees took part in shedding the blood of the prophets. (Mat 23:29-37)
c. The Jews stoned Stephen for charging them with the murder of the prophets. (Act 7:25, 42)
STOP!
Take some time to really consider how these men were patient in their suffering?
Why? How? What would have been the key to their patience?
Was it because they were resolute in their convictions?
Was it because their hearts were strong because they knew their God?
6. Who will be persecuted?
Everyone who wants to live godly will be persecuted. (2Ti 3:12)
7. How then can we patiently suffer like the prophets?
a. Follow Jesus example, do as He did. (Joh 13:15)
Jesus endured the cross because of the joy set before Him (sitting at the right hand of the throne of God) (Heb 12:2)
He committed no sin, no deceit was found in His mouth (1Pe 2:22)
He did not retaliate, He made no threats (1Pe 2:23)
He kept entrusting Himself to the Righteous Judge. (1Pe 2:23)
b. “Don’t return evil for evil, or insult for insult but give a blessing instead. (1Pe 3:9)
c. Lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and
Run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Fixing our eyes on Jesus. (Heb 12:1-3 )
THINK: In the prophets heartache, darkness, suffering, we see and know God was in it! He was at work!
So too in our present sufferings, He is with us and at work!
They patiently endured!
We can patiently endure!
LISTEN…
How does my life compare to the prophets lives?
What kind of persecution am I experiencing?
Am I waiting patiently like the prophets, following Christ’s example?
What am I doing to run with endurance the race that has been set before me?
In verse 10, what is the result for those who endure?
We count those blessed who endured.
1. Do you remember what endure means?
And what about blessed?
We looked at these back in Chapter 1.
I love that they are just a tap away in GODcha!!!!
Endure, hupoménō, to stay under; remain; have fortitude, persevere:—abide, endure, patient!
Blessed, makarízō, fully satisfied. Used of the persecuted prophets and all who endure (James 5:11).
2. What did James tell us back in James 1:12 about those who endure are blessed?
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
3. What did Jesus say in Matthew about those who are blessed?
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Mat 5:10-12)
Understand: We are not greater than our Master.
“It’s not those who do great things that are blessed. It is those who endure great things.” John MacArthur
What is James last illustration of those who patiently suffered in verse 11?
The endurance of Job and the outcome of the Lord’s dealings
1. What do you learn about Job?
a. Job was blameless man, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil. (Job 1:1)
b. God allowed Satan to go after Job, a righteous man. Job 1 and 2
Understand: God tested Job’s faith.
c. Job did not sin, instead he fell before God and worshipped Him. (Job 1:21-22; 2:10)
d. Job’s hope was in God. (Job 13:15)
e. Job knew His Redeemer lives, even if his skin was destroyed, He would see his Redeemer. (Job 19:25-27)
f. Job knew he would come forth as gold. (Job 23:10)
We see: Job proved his faith.
g. Job had heard of God, but in end he saw God. (Job 42:1-6)
We see: Job came to know his God.
h. The outcome: The Lord restored the fortunes, increased twofold. (Job 42:10-17)
We see: The Lord blessed Job.
Understand: God has a purpose for our trials.
Understand: Job endured! And God graciously brought him through it.
LISTEN:
Can you deal with that?
Can you go through your trials knowing God has a purpose in mind?
Understand: As we look at the prophets and Job, from our side of their stories, we see God was there, in their situations. We can see how it all fits together.
Whatever your going through, what does James want you to consider about the Lord?
Know the Lord is full of compassion and merciful.
1. Do you know and understand the Lord’s character?
a. Then the Lord passed by in front of Moses and proclaimed, the Lord God is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth. (Ex0 34:6)
b. The Lord’s mercies are new every morning. (Lam 3:22-23)
Understand: The Lord cares. He was right there for Job and the prophets.
He is FULL of compassion and mercy.
LISTEN:
Do I know and understand the Lord’s character?
How will I rest in His love, compassion and mercy?
That’s Enough For Today!
What in your life is calling for perseverance of faith? Endurance? Patience?
If you are suffering. . .
Read, read, read, over and over, the OT and consider the lives of the prophets and Job!
And take the time to read the biographies of those who suffered greatly but patiently endured.
I think of the story of William Wilberforce who was burned at the stake!
William Carey who took the gospel to India.
John Bunyan who spent 12 years in jail for preaching the gospel.
Adoniram Judson America’s first foreign missionary, imprisoned and tortured!
Jim & Elizabeth Elliot – Jim was martyred and survived by his wife and 10 month old daughter.
Charles Spurgeon suffered horrible depression!
Corrie Ten Boom – a precious holocaust victim!
Most recent would be Pastor Andrew Brunson arrested in 2016, accused of plotting to overthrow the government in Turkey.
Keep Your Discovery
Copy and paste what we LEARNED in your notes.
Journal your conversations with God.
Turn What You Learned Into a Prayer
GRACIOUS FATHER WHO IS FULL OF COMPASSION AND MERCY, help us to truly be patient in our trials, whether big or small. As we see we are to endure looking for Your coming Lord Jesus, may we also endure knowing You are coming to judge! May we understand that our salvation is secure if we believe. But help us not to sin in our trials, so we won’t lose our reward. Father, help us to be like the farmer, doing Your Word while we wait for Your return Lord Jesus! May we be stirred to put You 1st! Seeking 1st Your Kingdom, cultivating faithfulness, loving well, repenting daily, and sharing the gospel! Strengthen our hearts as we commit to be disciplined to make and take time to be with You, feeding on Your Word, exercising and training ourselves for godliness. May we truly lay hold of the examples of the prophets, and even our Lord, who suffered willingly and patiently. Help us to grasp hold of all of this, change our hearts, and attitude regarding our trials, knowing You are at work in us, testing us to prove our faith. And when we come out the other side, may we see You and know You more intimately as Job did, understanding You will bless our endurance. May we learn to rest in Your love and compassion and mercy! In Jesus name we ask these things! Amen!
Thank you for hanging in there, and being disciplined to discover and learn truth!
Next: we will LOOK at the command to ‘not swear’.
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