This grim condemnation of the selfish rich reminds us of some of the things the prophet Amos said against the rich people of Samaria (Amos 2:6-8, 3:15, 4:1-3, 6:1-8). Amos waited for the judgement of God to fall on those he condemned, and James waits for the imminent end of the present age. The rich referred to are power-grabbing, selfish exploiters who oppress the poor and innocent without mercy (5:4-5); we might guess that James is referring indirectly to the kind of people were found in the Herodian court and who thought only of extravagant living and their own power. In this passage James is concerned to show both the ultimate worthlessness of worldly riches and the evil character of those who lust for worldly riches. The teaching of Jesus as recorded Luke 6:20-21 and 24-25, and Matthew 6:24-34, may be compare with what James says. 5: 1 reflects Luke 6:24, 'How terrible for} _ who are rich now; you have had your easy life!' 5:2 reflects teaching of Matthew 6: 19-21. The picture given in 5:5 is of the evil being like fatted cattle waiting for slaughter, as their destruction pro aches on the final Day of Judgement. James shared the belief of early Church that the present evil age would soon be brought to an

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