Righteous Labor

 Isaiah 65:17-24; II Thessalonians 3:6-13

 

The Israelites in Isaiah’s time knew what it was to do fruitless labor. They planted vineyards but didn’t get to eat any of the fruit. What they planted was eaten by others. They would build houses and others would take them over. Women would labor for an infant who would die in a few days. They have labored in vain.

Yet Isaiah has good news in this chapter. The new earth the Lord is creating will no longer have dying infants. They will be able to live in the houses they build and eat what they plant. God’s chosen will long enjoy the work of their hands.

We spoke last week about how some Thessalonians believed Christ had already come and they saw this as a “Get Out of Work” card. Instead of helping or contributing with the food they shared, they became idle and mere busybodies still taking what they considered to be their share. To this Paul rebukes them and tells how he and the apostles worked day and night and paid for their own food. He tells them to imitate them and to stay away from the idle. He also says that anyone who refuses to work should not eat.

Paul’s instruction for these idle folks is to do their work quietly – not boasting – and earn their own living. He tells his church family – brothers and sisters to not grow weary in doing what is right. This labor of supporting themselves is doing what is right.

Our labor then is righteous labor, and Isaiah prophesizes that this labor will not be in vain. They will be blessed by the Lord and God will hear them. May we have this attitude that we will continue in whatever labor we have to righteously provide for ourselves so that we can do the work God gives us to do in His kingdom. Amen

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