Jewels From James

It has been quite a few years since I have done a Beth Moore Study--I enjoyed her insights back then and I am enjoying my current study with her through the book of James. 

To begin any study of a book in the Bible, it is always wise to do some research on the author and on the time and place the book was written.  This gives the book context and amplified meaning.  Having never really thought beyond the basics about James, the author, this was very interesting!  The verses in James are so dynamic and challenging, in previous studies I would end up just concentrating on them and skimming over the author and his information.

Not so, with Beth Moore!  We spend the first lesson just learning about James and getting a sense of who he is.  Most historians place James as the oldest "half" sibling of Jesus, both men having had the same mother (Mary).  Matthew's Gospel gives us a glimpse into the family in which Jesus grew up.  Matthew 13:55-56 lists Jesus' brothers: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas.  Matthew also tells us that Jesus had sisters, but we are not given their names or how many there might have been.  So, here we have the Lord growing up in this rather large family.  Here it gets interesting.... The Gospel of John (7:5) tells us that His brothers did not believe in Him.  And then later, we read about his family coming to take custody of Him be cause they believed Him to be "out of His mind."  (Mark 3:21)  

So, how does this unbelieving brother and keeper of the Jewish Law become a believer?  Part of that answer lies in 1 Cor. 15:3-7.  Paul tells us that the resurrected Lord appeared to James.  James had a personal encounter with the Risen Lord. 

Knowing this background has made studying the verses in James very interesting!  Sometimes the verse sounds so much like something Jesus said or taught.  In fact, James, more than any other New Testament author, draws straight from the teachings of Jesus. 

Something  else to think about:  James may have been the first book of the New Testament written--before Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The study has been awesome!