James 4:6-10

As A Consequence They Are To Subject Themselves to God, Resist the Devil, And Draw Near to God By Purifying Themselves And Truly Repenting (James 4:6).

The condition of some of God's professed people having been revealed somewhat emphatically, James now calls on them to get back to God, responding to His jealous love which seeks to bring their spirit back to Him. It is a question of humbling themselves, submitting themselves to God, resisting the Devil, and then drawing near to God so that He can draw near to them. We can compare here how in Zechariah 3 Joshua the High Priest came humbly to God and was subject to Him (James 3:1, compare James 4:6 a) and was accused by Satan because of the sins of Jerusalem. On his behalf YHWH rebuked Satan, (James 3:2, compare James 4:7 b) had Joshua's filthy clothing removed (James 3:3, compare James 4:8 b) and then clothed him in pure garments (James 3:4, compare James 4:8 b). Then he was called on to walk in God's ways, so that he would have right of access to God, and could draw near to Him (James 3:7, compare James 4:8 a). And the result was that he was exalted (compare James 4:10). Now James is calling on God's professed people who have failed Him to follow a similar path.

Analysis.

a But he gives more grace. Which is why the scripture says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).

b Be subject therefore to God (James 4:7 a).

c And resist the Devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7 b).

d Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you (James 4:8 a).

c Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you doubleminded (James 4:8 b).

b Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. (James 4:9).

a Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you (James 4:10).

Note that in ‘a' God gives grace to the humble, and in the parallel they are to humble themselves that they might be exalted. In ‘b' they are to be subject to God, and in the parallel this involves true repentance. In ‘c' they are to resist the Devil, and in the parallel they do this by cleansing their hands and purifying their hearts (compare Zechariah 3 where Joshua's resistance to Satan is accompanied by his being cleansed). Centrally in ‘d' they are to draw near to God, Who will draw near to them.

We regularly discern in James' letter that he has in mind quotations that he has heard, although he incorporates them into his text. There are indications in what we find in these verses that he is doing precisely that here. Alternately it might be himself who is the poet. For we note the couplets that now follow,

a ‘Be subject therefore to God,

b Resist the Devil and he will flee from you'

b Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

c Cleanse your hands, you sinners,

c And purify your hearts, you doubleminded,

a Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep.

d Let your laughter be turned to mourning,

d And your joy to heaviness,

e Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,

e And he will exalt you.'