Good Morning.

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God.” (Exodus 20:8-10)

Within the commandment to “remember the Sabbath” is the instruction to work. According to Scripture, working during the six days of the week devoted to such is just as important as resting on the seventh. It is correct to say that devotion to God does not free one from the obligation to work. Paul was pretty adamant about this idea saying, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Paul was so bold as to say that, “If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Tim. 5:8).

If God worked six days to bring Creation into existence, then it is only logical that mankind should follow that example. In the beginning, Adam was told to work in the garden, and throughout Scripture, God told ensuing generations to work in various situations. Resisting that instruction is just as rebellious as refusing to honor His Sabbath.  Moreover, at least in my view, a major contributing factor to modern culture’s problems , including a rebellious spirit, is too much idle time. As we know, idleness leads to evil thoughts and deeds. In the 12th century, Chaucer said that idle hands were the devil’s tools, hence the old adage that idleness is the  “devil’s workshop.” 

This idea is validated in Scripture in a most dramatic way. When speaking of the iniquity of Sodom, God told the prophet Ezekiel that a big part of their problem was “fullness of food, and abundance of idleness” (Ezekiel 16:49). In other words, He seems to have said that the sins Sodom was known for came about, in part, due to having too much idle time on their hands. The point, then, is that work is a good thing and something we are expected to do. It is for our health and benefit, not to mention that it lends itself to helping others.  

Still, the proper balance between work and rest should be maintained. The Creator has given us the formula that works — work for six days and rest on the seventh. We must also acknowledge that the work before us will never be completed in six days, and so, we must be content to leave the remaining work to be taken up after we have rested. This is what has been prescribed by the Author of Creation and, as His people, we honor Him when we follow His example. 

Blessings and Shalom,  

Bill  

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