In the biblical context, "working-days" refer to the six days of the week designated for labor and daily activities, as opposed to the Sabbath, which is set apart for rest and worship. The concept of working-days is rooted in the creation narrative and the Ten Commandments, providing a framework for understanding the rhythm of work and rest in the life of the believer.

Creation and the Pattern of Work:

The foundation for the concept of working-days is established in the creation account in Genesis. God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. Genesis 2:2-3 states, "And by the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished." This pattern of six days of work followed by a day of rest is mirrored in the weekly cycle observed by the Israelites.

The Ten Commandments:

The Ten Commandments, given to Moses on Mount Sinai, further codify the distinction between working-days and the Sabbath. Exodus 20:9-10 instructs, "Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God; on it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates." This commandment emphasizes the importance of dedicating six days to labor while reserving the seventh for rest and spiritual reflection.

Work as a Divine Mandate:

Work is portrayed in the Bible as a divine mandate and a means of stewardship over God's creation. In Genesis 2:15 , God places Adam in the Garden of Eden "to work it and take care of it." This indicates that work is not merely a consequence of the Fall but an integral part of human purpose and responsibility. The Apostle Paul reinforces this view in the New Testament, urging believers to work diligently. In 2 Thessalonians 3:10 , he writes, "For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat."

Balance of Work and Rest:

The biblical model of working-days underscores the balance between labor and rest. While work is essential, it is not to be all-consuming. The Sabbath provides a necessary pause, allowing individuals to rest, worship, and reflect on God's provision. This balance is crucial for maintaining physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Practical Implications:

In practical terms, the concept of working-days encourages believers to approach their work with diligence and integrity, viewing it as an act of worship and service to God. Colossians 3:23 advises, "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men." This perspective transforms mundane tasks into opportunities for glorifying God and serving others.

Conclusion:

The biblical understanding of working-days provides a framework for integrating faith and work, emphasizing the importance of both diligent labor and restorative rest. By adhering to this pattern, believers can honor God in their daily activities while maintaining a healthy balance in their lives.

Rendering Our Account.
... thy stewardship"how much owest thou unto my Lord?" Then at our dying bed there will
be all our past life; our youth, our manhood, our working days, our times ...
/.../sermon xliv rendering our account.htm

Sabbath Observance
... He had a truer insight into what active men needed for vigorous working days, and
what devout men needed for healthy religion, than many moderns who smile at ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/sabbath observance.htm

The Service of the Lord.
... By life or death, in this poor flesh. Let Christ be magnified! How happily the working
days. In this dear service fly! How rapidly the closing hour,. ...
/.../borthwick/hymns from the land of luther/the service of the lord.htm

Rondelet, {7} the Huguenot Naturalist {8}
... Vivacious he was, hot-tempered, forgiving, and with a power of learning and a power
of work which were prodigious, even in those hard-working days. ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/rondelet 7 the huguenot naturalist.htm

Appendix: Polemical Fragments
... 866. Two kinds of people make things equal to one another, as feasts to working
days, Christians to priests, all things among them, etc. ...
/.../pascal/pensees/section xiv appendix polemical fragments.htm

The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... significance, and the change may easily be explained as due to the desire of the
Hebrew writer to crowd the creative acts into the six working days of the week ...
/.../eiselen/the christian view of the old testament/chapter v the old testament.htm

From the Close of the General Conference in 1796, to the ...
... These efforts added much to the labor of the preachers, for such was the condition
of the slaves that they were not permitted, on working days, to attend the ...
/.../chapter 3 from the close.htm

The Second Sermon, in the Afternoon.
... say ye serve God. No, the devil hath more service done unto him on one
holiday, than on many working days. Let all these abuses ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/the second sermon in the.htm

Twenty-Seven Articles Respecting the Reformation of the Christian ...
... And the matter is just reversed; we have made holy days unholy, and working days
holy, and do no service but great dishonour to God and His saints with all our ...
/.../iii twenty-seven articles respecting the.htm

The Birth of England's Foreign Missions
... he had little leisure; but that he spent, as he had done all his life before and
did all his life after, with a method and zeal which doubled his working days. ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter ii the birth of.htm

Working-days (1 Occurrence)
Working-days. Working, Working-days. Workings . Multi-Version
Concordance Working-days (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 46:1 ...
/w/working-days.htm - 6k

Workings (3 Occurrences)

/w/workings.htm - 7k

Sabbath-day (23 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 46:1 Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: The gate of the inner court that looketh
toward the east shall be shut the six working-days; but on the sabbath-day ...
/s/sabbath-day.htm - 13k

Working (205 Occurrences)

/w/working.htm - 36k

Looks (76 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 46:1 Thus says the Lord Yahweh: The gate of the inner court that looks toward
the east shall be shut the six workingdays; but on the Sabbath day it ...
/l/looks.htm - 28k

Facing (79 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 46:1 Thus says the Lord Yahweh: The gate of the inner court that looks toward
the east shall be shut the six workingdays; but on the Sabbath day it ...
/f/facing.htm - 31k

Moon (70 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 46:1 Thus says the Lord Yahweh: The gate of the inner court that looks toward
the east shall be shut the six workingdays; but on the Sabbath day it ...
/m/moon.htm - 36k

Square (94 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 46:1 This is what the Lord has said: The doorway of the inner square looking
to the east is to be shut on the six workingdays; but on the Sabbath it ...
/s/square.htm - 39k

Is working on Sunday a sin? | GotQuestions.org

Why does Exodus 35:2 require the death penalty for working on the Sabbath? | GotQuestions.org

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