SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 65:17-25
“…They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the LORD, and their descendants with them…” (Isaiah 65:22-23)
One of the often misunderstood human realities is the whole idea of work. Because of the brokenness in it, we tend to view work as a curse as opposed to a blessing. This is because we are, many times, unable to distinguish between what God created work to be, and how sin corrupted and distorted it. Yet, before the fall, Adam was placed in the garden and given work to do – he was to work and keep the land (Genesis 2:15). In other words, Adam was to both produce and preserve. And that’s what work essentially is. There must be a level of value addition to creation at large and humanity specifically. Unfortunately, we now live the realities of the fall often marked by wearisome toil or certain sinful extremes – workaholism and laziness.
In our passage today, Isaiah prophecies of a new heaven and a new earth. In this glorious world to come, work will be redeemed. There will be a direct correlation between the labour of one’s hand and their enjoyment. Mere toil will give way to fruitfulness and there will be no exploitation there. People will not take advantage of other people’s work but each will enjoy the fruit of their labour. Take heart child of God. Although here in this broken world you get taken advantage of, one day it will all cease. Although your efforts do not correlate to the reward you receive, all that will come to an end. Although you struggle through your work and loathe Mondays, then you will find much joy in what you do. Finally, although you perhaps have struggled finding something meaningful and productive to do because of unemployment, look forward to the City which will have no scarcity. When the imperfect gives way to the perfect, then shall the song ring true:
When we all go to heaven
What a day of rejoicing that will be
When we all see Jesus
We will sing and shout the victory
REFLECTION:
1. What’s the reality of your work currently?
2. How does the future of work encourage and motivate you in your present work?
