WHAT DOES GOD SAY?
Six days you shall labor, and do all your work,
Exodus 20:9
Ahhh, it’s now August, summer is nearing an end. Everywhere you look, there are school supplies in every store. Car dealers are ready for the next model year. We will begin our Sunday School classes. Seems like most revolve around Labor Day. But what exactly is Labor Day and why do we celebrate it (not just to hit the stores for bargains)?
Before we look at the events leading up to this Federal holiday, let’s remember that our LORD provided for us to rest from our labors each week. Pastor David has been recently preaching through Exodus and the 10 Commandments. Exodus 20:9 tells us to rest after 6 days (don’t forget that God set this example for us in the Creation story). See also below, Ecclesiastes 5:19. I Corinthians 3:8 mentions that the laborer is rewarded by his work. Also refer to I Cor. 15:58, I Thess. 5:12 and II Thess 3:10. And finally, Col 3:23 reminds us that whatever we do, we do it as unto the LORD.
Most countries celebrate Labor Day on May 1, International Workers Day. Our history took a slightly different road. We have all heard about the Industrial Revolution, labor unions and labor movements. This was a horrific time for the common laborer. Twelve hour days, seven day work weeks, children as young as five or six. The working conditions were unsafe in mills, factories and mines.
The various unions arose to correct these atrocities. The labor movement argued for 8 hour days which left 8 hours for rest and 8 for recreation. Too bad many Doctors , Nurses and other ‘Essential Workers’ don’t always have that luxury.
Here’s a quick history:
1882- Ten thousand workers in New York City marched in the 1st Labor Day parade
1886- Haymarket Riot in Chicago- police and workers died
1887- Oregon was the first state to make it an official holiday
1894- Grover Cleveland made it a Federal holiday, along with 30 states
May you all have a wonderful holiday, and thank our blessed Lord who loves us and gives us the capabilities to work in many fields, as all parts of a body.
- Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 5:19
- He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 1 Corinthians 3:8
- Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58
- We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 1 Thessalonians 5:12
- For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 2 Thessalonians 3:10