James 5:4

Afrikaans 2020 (Die Bybel 2020-vertaling)

Kyk, die loon wat julle weerhou het van die arbeiders wat julle lande geoes het, roep dit uit, en die geroep van diegene wat oes, het die ore van die Here, Heerser oor alle magte, bereik.

What Does This Mean?

This verse in James is a warning to people who have been unfair and kept back the wages of their workers. It says that the cries of these workers reach God, who sees everything.

Explained for Children

Imagine if you were working hard on a farm picking apples, but your boss didn't pay you for all the work you did. The Bible is saying that even though it might seem like no one hears you when you complain about not getting paid fairly, God definitely does hear and cares about what happened.

Historical Background

James wrote this letter in the first century to early Christian communities scattered across various regions. He was addressing issues within these communities, including economic injustice. The audience would have been familiar with agricultural settings where laborers worked for wages.

Living It Out Today

In a modern scenario, imagine an employee who is not getting their full paycheck due to fraudulent deductions by their employer. This verse reminds us that God sees and hears the cries of those who are mistreated or wronged in any form of employment.

Topics

• justice
• fairness
• work ethics
• economic justice
• God's omniscience
• hearing the oppressed

Related Verses

• Leviticus 19:13
• Matthew 20:1-16
• Luke 10:25-37
• James 1:27
• Revelation 6:9

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean by 'crieth' and 'entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth'?

'Crieth' means the cries or complaints are very loud, like when you yell really loudly. The phrase 'Lord of Sabaoth' refers to God as the ruler over all heavenly armies, showing that He hears everything.

How should we respond if we see someone being treated unfairly in their workplace?

We are called to stand up for justice and fairness. If you witness unfair treatment, consider speaking up on behalf of the worker or reporting it to a higher authority where appropriate.

Does this verse apply only to agricultural workers?

No, while it speaks about laborers in fields, the principle applies broadly to any job. The message is about treating all people fairly and justly regardless of their work.

Can you explain 'fraud' as used here?

'Fraud' refers to deceit or trickery, in this context it means using dishonest methods to avoid paying workers what they deserve. It's about keeping wages back under false pretenses.