James 5:10 "Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience."

The prophets as a group are stated to have experienced suffering and affliction. The reason given is that they spoke in the name of the Lord, meaning they faithfully represented the Lord, and reliably spoke the Lord's word. To those who received the word, it was good (Isaiah 39:8 ). Those who rejected the word, they thought the messengers deserved death (Jeremiah 26:11 ) and persecuted them (Acts 7:52 ). They were mocked, despised, scoffed at (2 Chronicles 36:16 ). Yet in suffering, their attitude was that of patience towards others. The word 'makrothumia' means forbearance towards persons. It is a longsuffering that even when one has the power to avenge oneself, yet refrains from exercising that power. The prophets believed that God was working to will and to do His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13 ) that motivated in them forbearance of grace even towards those who persecuted them. They were indeed serving the Lord God.

Philippians 2:15 "that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,"

Grace forbearance in His children reveals the goodness, forbearance and longsuffering of their Father God in them (Romans 2:4 ). When we follow the outstanding examples of the prophets in grace patience towards others when under unmerciful persecution, we shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15 ).

James 5:11 "Indeed we count them blessed who endure. ..."

"Blessed" 'makarizo' means to pronounce (or esteem) fortunate, called blessed, count happy (Strong), rendered here "we count them blessed" speaking of the prophets, and the only other use in the New Testament is in Luke 1:48 where it is rendered "shall call me blessed" in the virgin Mary's song. The adjective 'makarios' is used many times in the New Testament, rendered "blessed" having the meaning of "happy". It is used by the Lord Jesus in the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5:2-11 ).

It describes those who are in Christ:

	as happy kingdom people (Matthew 5:3 ).
	as happy, comforted people (Matthew 5:4 ).
	as happy inheriting people (Matthew 5:5 ).
	as happy thirsty, filled people (Matthew 5:6 ).
	as happy merciful, obtaining mercy (Matthew 5:7 ).
	as happy, pure in heart people (Matthew 5:8 ).
	as happy, God seeing people (Matthew 5:8 ).
	as happy peacemakers people (Matthew 5:9 ).
	as happy sons of God people (Matthew 5:9 ).
	as happy persecuted for righteousness people (Matthew 5:10 ).
	as happy because evil spoken of for Christ's sake people (Matthew 5:11 ).

God's happy people enjoy their satisfaction which is from God, not from changing or favourable circumstances. Their state of happiness comes from being in Christ in God and filled with the Holy Spirit. Therefore it is happiness of having the kingdom of God in one's heart. "the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21 KJV), which are the kingdom realities of righteousness, peace and joy (Romans 14:17 ). This is happiness indeed, and more, what is within is worked outward in daily experience. We honour the prophets who suffered and endured before us. Their full blessedness or happiness has been entered into by them. Our patient endurance will issue in the same blessedness. Their example fills us with confident hope.

James 5:11 "... You have heard of the perseverance of Job ..."

"Perseverance" - 'hupomone' - is patience that is endurance as to things or circumstances. Job was not passive to his so-called friends' arguments. He passionately questioned their conventional and orthodox points of view. Few have spoken such forthright, passionate words as Job, but Job endured in that he never lost faith in God. Though he struggled with the "why" conclusions of his so-called friends for his painful circumstances, he never lost his grip on God, nor let go his confidence in the sure intervention of God, that would turn all around for good. Here are a few great refrains of his affirmation.

Job 13:15 "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: ..."

Job 13:16 "He also shall be my salvation: ...,"

(Job 19:25-27 ). Job was confident in God his defence, vindicator, redeemer, restorer, and his resurrection sure hope. Such unshakeable truth was the foundation of his faith that expressed itself in patient perseverance, in the midst of personal suffering and devastating circumstances. Job actively held to his faith, and God came through for Job.

Job 42:12 "So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: ..."

As our example Job urges us:

	to patient continuance in doing good (Romans 2:7 );
	in bearing fruit with patience (Luke 8:15 );
	in running the appointed race with endurance (Hebrews 12:1 );
	and to patient hope in our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:3 ).

James 5:11 "... and seen the end intended by the Lord that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful."

We know the design God had in mind for Job. God doubled his former possessions and restored him to happiness and honour, and his patient persistence was met with the Lord's compassion and mercy towards him. We have every encouragement that under trial, as we show the endurance of faith, that the outcome for us will be knowing the Lord in His great compassion and mercy, and bountiful blessing. Knowing that the Lord is faithful in His great loving kindness the issue for us will be good. God's people can with justifiable optimism press through their trials to the fulfilment of God's intentions.

Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Why are the prophets singled out as an example of suffering and patience? (James 5:10 ). Do you, by grace forbearance, reveal the Lord to others? (James 5:10 ).
2. What is the message of Job for your situation? (James 5:11 ).