The letter of James makes a comparison that the Word of Elohim is meant to be a mirror that helps us see how closely our lives follow the Law (Instructions) of YHWH.

Jam.1:22 But be doers of the WORD (obey the word), and not hearers only (not just listen aimlessly), deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the WORD and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect Law of liberty and continues in it and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

If we want to be able to understand what James means in this statement, we need to know what ‘WORD’ James is talking about. By knowing what this ‘WORD’ he is talking about we can know why he compares it to a mirror.

To do this, we need to draw a parallel between the well-known, and ‘the key commandment’ from the entire Torah – “SHMA YISRAEL” (LISTEN TO ISRAEL). But what exactly do we need to listen to? And what does the word ‘LISTEN’ mean?

Deut.4:1 Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and ordinances (the Law/Torah) which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which YHWH Elohim of your fathers is giving you.

Deut.6:1 Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments (the Law/Torah) which YHWH your Elohim has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, that you may fear YHWH your Elohim, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as YHWH Elohim of your fathers has promised you – ‘a land flowing with milk and honey’. 

Now let’s consider the meaning of the word ‘LISTEN’. In general, we when see/hear the word listen, we automatically think that the definition means ‘to actively hear’ or ‘pay attention to’. To us, listening is a passive action that means to simply pay attention to a noise or to someone that is speaking and does not imply a need for further actions …

In Hebrew, the word ‘LISTEN’ (‘SHeMA’) means to ‘listen and do”, that is, do what you hear. So, now we can see what James meant by his statement “Be doers of the WORD, and not only hearers” – in other words, James simply quoted and paraphrased Deuteronomy “Shema Yisrael”. So, what exactly is YHWH Elohim calling His people to listen and do? The answer is extremely simple – His WORD (Torah)!

Now let’s talk about the mirror. Imagine a mirror and what it does. A mirror reveals the reflection of a person or thing, the good and the bad. People like ourselves, friends, family, and even our enemies are all capable of lying and hiding the truth concerning our true natures. Mirrors are incapable of deceit; they show something for what it truly is. They show the good and bad, there is no bias in a mirror. Looking into the mirror, we are confronted with what we really look like, flaws and all.

So, why did James compare hearing and following the Law (Torah) of YHWH Elohim to a man that observes himself in a mirror? To answer this question, we need to turn again to the Torah.

Deut.31:26 Take this Book of the Law (Torah) and put it beside the ark of the covenant of YHWH your Elohim, that it may be there as a witness against you.

At first glance, this phrase: ‘witness against you’ seems very gloomy and threatening. In the original though, this phrase sounds like it has a completely different connotation/nuance, namely: ‘witness to you’ or ‘witness for you’. The Law (Torah) acts as a mirror that shows us what is right and what is wrong, in other words, witness to you. It can tell you exactly what you are doing and what needs to be corrected or improved. The Law is a compass that should be used to guide us and show us how we can follow the perfect will of the Almighty.

The Apostle Paul confirmed this in his epistle:

Rom.3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

It is interesting to note that the word ‘sin’ literally means ‘missed the target’, and the word Torah means “to hit the target”. The Law (Torah) tells us what sin is! From the Law (Torah) we can understand what we did wrong, and now we need to listen and do (SHMA) as the Torah says. Why exactly? Because the Law is perfect and capable of correcting our sinful nature. This is exactly what James says in his letter when we continue to read:

Jam.1:25 But he who looks into the perfect Law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Paul also confirms this in his letter to Timothy:

2Tim.3:15 And how from your childhood you have had a knowledge of and been acquainted with the Holly Writings (Scriptures), which are able to instruct you and which can give you the wisdom that leads to deliverance through trusting in Yeshua the Messiah. Every (Holy) Scripture is breathed by YHWH (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, and for training in righteousness (in conformity to YHWH will in thought, purpose, and action). So that the man of YHWH may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

In conclusion, it’s worth saying that no one can be justified by the Law. We are justified only through:

1. The sacrifice of Yeshua
2. Obedience to the Law (Commandments/instructions of YHWH: not to be confused with the laws and traditions of the Pharisees!)

It is impossible to be justified only through obedience to the Law (Torah), since a sin offering must be offered:

Rom.3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of YHWH, being justified freely by His grace.

Just as, it is impossible to be justified only through sacrifice by continuing to break the Law – to commit sin:

Hebr.10:26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.                                                 

Today Yeshua is the sacrifice for our sins. And his words remain relevant today and will continue to remain relevant a thousand years from now.

Jn.8:11 ‘I DO NOT JUDGE YOU; go and SIN NO MORE (go and obey Commandments)’.