JOB
Work has from the beginning been a purpose of God for man (cf. Gen. 1:28; 2:15). God himself taught man the activity of farming (cf. Is. 28:26-29).
Creation itself works (cf. Pr. 6:6-8). We have the highest example of work in God, both in Creation (cf. Gen. 1 and 2) and in Redemption (Jn. 5:17).
It was through the fall and the subsequent curse that work went from being a joy to being an exhausting effort to ensure subsistence (Gen. 3: 1619).
Therefore, work, instead of a source of pleasure and creation, is, for the great mass of humanity, an annoying, enslaving, distressing activity, and without certainty of obtaining adequate compensation.
It has become, in many cases, an instrument of exploitation and oppression (cf. Ex. 1:11-14; 2:23; James 5:4). However, God shows work and diligence in it as a virtue (Prov. 22:29).
However, work is denounced as a means to obtain more than what is necessary for life, adding unnecessary burden (Eccl. 4:6).
The woman diligent in caring for the family and running the home is sung with great praise (Prov. 31:10-31).
The Law regulates the periods of work and rest, with the entire cycle of annual festivals, in which, as on Saturdays, all work had to be put aside and dedicated to rest, prayer, worship, and celebration, whether of joy or humiliation (cf. Deut. 16:11, 14, etc.; Lev. 23:27-32; see FESTIVITIES).
The believer is considered a coworker with God (1 Cor. 3:9). Not being under the curse, but enjoying the blessing of God, he is exhorted to work faithfully, “not with eye service… but with a sincere heart, fearing God” (Col. 3:22).
The exhortation continues like this: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as working for the Lord and not for men” (Col. 3:23). The faithful Christian can be encouraged, for his labor “is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).
Believers are to engage in good works (Tit. 3:8), living in this age soberly, righteously, and godly (Tit. 2:12) while awaiting the coming of the Lord of it (Tit. 2:13).
Their work must have a threefold purpose: to glorify God (1 Cor. 6:20), to provide for their own needs, so as not to be a burden to anyone (1 Thes. 4:11-12), and to be able to help those who are in need. (Eph. 4:28).
This work must be carried out calmly (2 Thes. 3:12), without anxiety (1 Pet. 5:7) or covetousness (Heb. 13:5), because the Lord has promised the care of it to all His (cf. Phil. 4:19).
On the other hand, there is the strict instruction that, on the one hand, “if anyone does not want to work, he should not eat either” (2 Thes. 3:10); on the other: “The worker is worthy of his wages” (Luke 10:7; 1 Cor. 9:14; 1 Tim. 5:18).
The incarnate God himself assumed a profession: that of a carpenter (Mark 6:3), thus sanctifying common work. Paul himself was an example of believers, working in his activity for his livelihood (see PAUL).
There are very numerous activities mentioned in the Bible. The first of them, given to man to exercise in his paradisiacal state, was the husbandry and care of Eden (Gen. 2:15).
In the eternal state, in a context of moral rest, God’s redeemed will exercise their service before Him (Rev. 22:4).
Thus, the rest into which the believer will enter will not be the cessation of activity, but of the struggle, of the confrontation against the enemy in a hostile system, in an abnormal state of things since the entry of sin into the world.
In the new heavens and new earth where justice will dwell (2 Pet. 3:13) there will be no inactivity, but harmonious work in an atmosphere of communion and in full enjoyment of the beauty of the holiness of the Lord.