What does "six days you shall labor" teach about God's design for work? The Command in Focus Exodus 20:9: “Six days you shall labor and do all your work.” Work: Part of God’s Good Creation • Genesis 2:15—“The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” Work predates the fall; it is inherently good. • By commanding labor, God affirms that productive effort reflects His original design for humanity. Six Days: A God-Given Rhythm • Six days of labor followed by one day of rest establishes a divine cadence: exertion and refreshment. • This pattern guards against idleness (Ecclesiastes 10:18) and against endless toil (Psalm 127:2). • Deuteronomy 5:13 repeats the directive, confirming its ongoing importance. Imitating the Creator • Genesis 1 records God working six creative “days” and resting on the seventh. • We mirror His image by engaging in meaningful labor during the allotted six days. • Ephesians 5:1—“Be imitators of God, as beloved children”—includes imitating His work ethic and His rest. Dignity and Purpose in Every Vocation • Colossians 3:23—“Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men.” • No task is trivial when done unto God. Whether farming, parenting, coding, or cleaning, work becomes worship. • Proverbs 22:29 highlights excellence: diligent workers “will stand before kings.” Boundaries Against Sloth • Proverbs 6:6-11 warns the sluggard; 2 Thessalonians 3:10 says, “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” • The six-day command rejects laziness, urging steady, responsible effort. Boundaries Against Workaholism • The command also sets a ceiling: six days, not seven. • Mark 2:27—“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Rest is God’s gift, preserving health and family relationships. Work as Service and Witness • 1 Peter 2:12 urges believers to live excellently so others “see your good deeds and glorify God.” • Our jobs become platforms for integrity, generosity, and gospel testimony. Living the Principle Today – Schedule six days for purposeful labor—paid, unpaid, domestic, or ministerial. – Embrace quality rest on the seventh day as an act of trust in God’s provision. – Approach every assignment with prayerful diligence, aiming to reflect the character of the One who first worked and then rested. |
    |