5:4-6
The problem with the rich was not so much the richness itself, but that they were trusting in their wealth, and that they were exploiting their workers in amassing their wealth. They were not paying their workers properly. When people are mistreated they cry out and God hears them, that is the consistent witness of the Bible. The rich were self-indulgent while others were suffering, and even positively exploited and abused others. It is easy for all of us to condemn others, but we also need to look at ourselves.
5:7,8
There is then another sudden shift of tone. What do we do when rulers and the powerful are exploiting others, maybe even exploiting or persecuting us? “Be patient”. Now this does not necessarily mean being passive, but it does mean we live and act knowing that the Lord is God. Israel failed again and again because she did not believe that God would rescue her. We can act rashly because we do not believe that God cares or will act. The Lord does care and He will act. So we live patiently obeying the Lord.
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