Lifting Our Laborers

I like this quote by Jerome K. Jerome about labor:

“I like work: it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours.”

Labor Day came about through the labor movement in America to honor our workers for their achievements. Beginning in 1885, States passed legislation to praise their labor forces. On June 28, 1894, the US Congress passed an act making the first Monday of September a legal holiday for all Americans.

Believe it or not, physical labor can be a spiritual enterprise when seen in the proper context. For instance, in Exodus 34, Bezalel and Oholiab, along with other craftsmen, were set apart (holy) with their God-given skills to work on the sacred tabernacle, a place set apart for the presence of the LORD.

One’s labor can also be set apart as part of a holy life when we work in the name of the LORD. Colossians 3:17 reads:

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The skilled workers at the tabernacle deserve honor for the work of their hands. All laborers deserve recognition for the God-given skills they possess in their crafts. All such work can be an honor to God.

I earned money for college expenses in undergraduate school by working on construction sites. Those days were challenging, as I was not (and still am not) a skilled laborer. I gained a little bit of ability in some areas, but I gained a great deal of respect for the people with expertise in building.

As a nation, Israel fell into disarray after the death of Solomon. The nation divided into “Israel” in the north and “Judah” in the south. Eventually, both would fall into idolatrous apostasy and be taken away into captivity – Israel to Assyria and Judah to Babylon. When the seventy years of Babylonian captivity were completed (see Jeremiah 25), King Cyrus sent the Jews back home. A remnant returned under the leadership of Zerubbabel. Nehemiah also returned to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

I am sure you know President Trump began building a wall between the US and Mexico to cut down on illegal immigration. Walls like this have been effective throughout history. The Great Wall of China kept the hordes out. The Bethlehem Wall has kept terrorists out of Israel, and the Berlin Wall kept people in. According to Revelation 21:12-14, there will be a wall to be in Heaven:

“12 It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed— 13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”

Matthew 22:11-14 reveals that there will be no undocumented people in heaven.

“11 “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”

The wall in Jerusalem appeared to be a giant task for the Jewish people when they returned home (Nehemiah 3). This wall provided several benefits to the people.

• It was a key to their identity

• It provided security.

• Ultimately, it was a means of restoring glory to God.

While the task seemed insurmountable in the beginning, they completed it in fifty-two days after they got to work (Nehemiah 6.15).

Do you remember how to eat an elephant? One bite at a time! Big tasks require an intentional start. The Jewish people did not build the wall by accident. Nehemiah began the construction when he prayed and determined how to accomplish the task. The Chinese have said, “The journey of 10,000 leagues begins with the first step.” It is planned, intentionally begun, and completed.

Big tasks require united cooperation. If the people had not cooperated and worked, they would not have completed the wall. Yet, they worked together on a joint mission and achieved it. Why is it that so many churches fail to accomplish much? Could it be that they have lost sight of their mission? Could it be that everyone wants to “do what is right in their own eyes” instead of what God wants?