The Book of James/ Yaakov (יַעֲקֹב‎) opens us up to the world of the first century, through a man of God endowed with a great love and seasoned with such godly wisdom, especially for those living through trials. Jewish believers outside the land of Israel (in the Diaspora) were particularly hard pressed because of persecution from the Jewish leadership and from the Gentiles as well. James/Yaakov focuses on an age-old problem, the heart of man. The message is clear; if one first takes care of his relationship with God, the rest will be so much easier to deal with. Persecution, poverty and abuses will have less effect on the person who has God as his friend. Spiritual growth takes time and James/Yaakov supplies us with some powerful recipes for such a needed growth.