Henry Krabbendam - James - World Evangelical Alliance

money where their mouth is,” by following in their actual footsteps, especially
when they call them “blessed.” If they do not wish to emulate their
conduct, and display the same patience, such designation is a “pious fraud.” It
has been said that “Men of the world are miserable in their happiness, but the
children of God are happy in their misery” (Mt. 5:12; Acts 5:41; 1 Pet. 3:14).
This warrants the conclusion that there is nothing fraudulent about folks with
mouths full of praise, if, and only if, they are part of “the prophetic succession”
(See Manton, 429)!
In fact, the question may well be asked with one commentator whether
the absence of persecution and suffering should not be regarded as an indication
of laxity of Christian testimony and life. It is questionable whether the
last few centuries of our Western world have produced “exhibitions of Christian
testimony and endurance” that would qualify to be memorialized in
Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. And if there are such exhibitions, the question is
whether they would be substantial enough to fill one or more chapters (Zodhiates,
III, 100-101). This is far from an academic issue. After all, unless a
seed dies, it will not be productive. But when it does, the blood that is shed
will turn into the seed of the Church! A “cross” will always turn into a
“crown,” sooner or later. Believers may be immediate beneficiaries themselves
during their lifetime. Otherwise they will receive their “crown” in the
presence of Jesus. But the benefits will always accrue to others on earth,
whether immediately to their contemporaries or in the long run to later generations.
The long and the short of it is this. We would not be here without
“the prophets” of a bygone era. Will a flourishing future church be able to say
the same thing about us? This is a pressing question that believers in a Recovery
mode with a hunger to retain or regain Revival status, which includes
mighty combat, with casualties and all, undoubtedly will ask themselves in all
sobriety and seriousness.
(b) Second Model: Job (5:11b)
Furthermore, James makes reference to Job. He does so, however, not only
for his proverbial suffering and steadfastness, but also for the display of
God’s blessing. The end result or final outcome of Job’s experience (Laws,
216; Burdick, 171) 360 hardly needs to be chronicled. What the Lord did “in
the end” was remarkable and encouraging beyond words.
360 Mitton, 189-190; Martin, 194-195; and Nystrom, 288, translate the Greek telos with
“plan” or “purpose.” This is certainly possible from a lexicographical point of view, and cannot
be rejected out of hand. After all, it contains an awesome truth! Nevertheless, the translation
“end result” seems to fit better in the context of the Book of Job. God’s awesome purpose
with Job was to “show up” Satan by “showing off” Job. God’s awesome blessing upon Job
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