Unpartial

James 2:1-4 NKJV

Deuteronomy 10:17 NKJV

Acts 10:34 NKJV

Leviticus 19:15 NKJV

Deuteronomy 1:17 NKJV

Matthew 6:4 NKJV

James Series

What did James know when he wrote the book of James to the Jews living outside Jerusalem?

The history of the Jews and Jerusalem in Judaea was difficult at best. The Jewish Temple that had been destroyed was rebuilt by Herod the Great in 20 BC and Jews were allowed to practice their religion freely. However, by 19 AD under Claudius the Jewish people in the region had been banished. Even though they were allowed to return, unrest and “discontent” continued to increase and by 66 AD “this discontent exploded into open rebellion. Four years later, the Roman army had crushed the revolt, but had also destroyed the temple. The sacred treasures were seized and shown off in a procession through the streets of Rome (https://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/empire/jews.html).

The climate in the region during Jesus’ life was tenuous at best. We have to remember that even though Jesus was Jewish, He struggled with the Jewish ruling class. The Roman Empire’s primary focus during the first half of the 1st Century was peace, but once Nero came to power (54 AD) the focus changed (https://www.gotquestions.org/Roman-empire.html). Most of the Apostles living in the region were martyred under Nero.

Because Jews in Judaea had suffered under Roman Rule, many scattered to other parts of the globe. Those Jews who had left their homeland were James’ audience.

In James 2:1, James referred to Jesus as the Lord of Glory who shows no partiality. We read, “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.”

It’s important to note that James would have known the Hebrew word for Lord of Glory was Shekinah. That was important because of Hebrew history and tradition.

The Hebrew people considered Moses to be a Holy Man.

The Lord of Glory was ON Moses. The Glory of the Lord, the Shekinah was on Moses and HE showed no partiality. In Deuteronomy 10:17, we read, “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.”

When James wrote the letter to Jews living outside Jerusalem, and he referred to Jesus as the Lord of Glory, the Shekinah, James knew God appeared to Moses and the Glory of God shone on his face. By calling Jesus the Lord of Glory, he was saying he recognized Jesus as Holy.

James was written in 44-48 AD, and was one of first books written. It is important to note that James referred to Jesus as the Shekinah in this early Christian writing. That makes it the first time it was said the glory of the Lord was ON Jesus (https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/james-2/). Because of that we know from the start the early Christians saw Jesus as Holy God.

Why is that important when James made a case that no one should show partiality? Moses was Lord of Glory and he made it clear the Hebrew children should not show partiality. There must have been an important reason for James to mention that Jesus was the Lord of Glory, and HE also showed no partiality,

I would say it’s highly possible that in the 1st Century, partiality WAS shown to wealthy people and James was addressing that problem.

James 2:2-4 he goes on the say, “For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?”

We need to note that this same discussion of partiality was written and talked about in other circles in the first century.

In Acts 10:34, Peter, a respected Apostle also spoke out against partiality. He believed there should be no partiality. “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.”

Both Peter and James would have learned from Leviticus 19:15, “ ‘You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor.”

And again, in Temple they would have heard Deuteronomy 1:17, “You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small as well as the great; you shall not be afraid in any man’s presence, for the judgment is God’s. The case that is too hard for you, bring to me, and I will hear it.’ “

Scripture is clear in the Old Testament and in the New Testament. There shall be no partiality.

Yet we realize James was writing about it in his letter to the Jews living outside Jerusalem.

To them James was saying, stop being partial! Stop seeing the rich as being more important than the poor! Stop giving a good seat to a rich man while a poor man has to stand!

So…here’s our dilemma: Did all the talk about partiality work?

Today do we treat all people equal?

In Christian circles, do we think of wealthy people as being smarter and more capable?

Behind the scenes are wealthy people treated special in today’s churches?

I honestly can say that I have seen wealthy people today demand unreasonable things, and they got what they asked for. I’ve also seen wealthy people who make no demands and they keep their generous gifts very secret.

What I know is that according to Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:4, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”

According to Jesus, if the wealthy show their wealth, that will be their reward. If you keep it secret, God will reward them.

Any way we look at it, rich or poor we are not to be partial, and rich or poor should not expect partiality.

Scripture is really clear on that through and through!

Today’s Spiritual Practice is: Say No

Ask God to give you equal love for all people, Rich or poor.

In God, Deborah

acrazyjourney.com