We Were Created to be God’s Coworkers

Here is an excerpt from chapter 3 of my book, Immanuel Labor – God’s Presence in our Profession that I have never put into an article. It is a critical topic in my theology of work. I want to emphasize God’s original purpose for creating human beings. That intent applied to Adam and Eve and applies to us as well. Lastly, I will describe what it looks like when God graciously chooses to use us.

The very first chapter of Genesis demonstrates that the triune God is a worker. On the sixth day, God initiates His greatest creation, human beings. The men and women He started with and every generation since that time were created to be His coworkers. Let me unpack this foundational concept a little deeper.

God’s purposes for making humans in His image

In Gen. 1:26–28, we see that God made Adam and Eve, the first man and woman in His image. He called them to work and to be His coworkers to sustain and expand God’s creation.

In his book, Systematic Theology, Grudem teaches, “When Scripture reports that God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness’ (Gen. 1:26), it simply would have meant to the original readers, ‘Let us make man to be like us and to represent us.’” Note that the man and the woman were made in God’s image. Both were equal and necessary. Adam and Eve were made for relationship. They were created to complement each other and represent God’s image together. They were made to work as a team!

Sherman and Hendricks, in Your Work Matters to God point out, “So man works because he is created in the image of God.” The Theology of Work Bible Commentary states, “God worked to create us and created us to work.” Later in the same source, we read, “God brought into being a flawless creation, an ideal platform, and then created humanity to continue the creation project.” 

In The Presence of God, J. Ryan Lister ties together the creation account in Gen. 1-2 and the description of the new creation in Revelation. He states,

The Lord called Adam to establish a dominion and dynasty that would cover the earth with his Creator’s relational presence. Adam was more than just a farmer; Adam’s call to subdue the earth had an eschatological, or future, goal. . . A large part of the divine mandate, then, consisted of Adam’s working to bring the presence of God to the rest of creation. Adam’s ‘subduing and ruling’ work in the garden was about the distribution of God’s presence. Adam was to expand the borders of Eden to cover the rest of the world. . . Adam was to subdue the whole earth – not just the garden.

In his book, Culture Making: Recovering our Creative Calling, Andy Crouch offers some original insights into humanity’s call to reflect the image of God through our creativity. “They will have a unique capacity to create—perhaps not to call something out of nothing in quite the way that God does in Genesis 1:1, but to reshape what exists into something genuinely new.” In The Fabric of This World, Lee Hardy explains, “When we shape and administer his creation in service to others and pursue his righteousness in the context of human society we express something of his nature in our lives.” 

God chooses us to work with Him

Genesis 2:5 takes our understanding beyond the fact that we were created to work. It introduces the idea of Adam being a coworker with God. We read that “no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground.” This teaches us that plant life needed the rain God would send and that it also needed human workers in order to flourish. God waters, but man must work with God in the process, cultivating the ground as His coworkers.

Sherman and Hendricks ask, “Who took care of the garden of Eden? One view would say, Obviously Adam did. But the other view would say, No, God did; He merely used Adam as an instrument to meet the garden’s needs. But there is no reason why we couldn’t say they both participated in this work.” They continue, “As humans, we act as junior partners in what is ultimately God’s work. Yet participation in that work makes it our work, too. We are colaborers with God in managing His creation.”

Sherman and Hendricks advise, “Perhaps you feel that I am implying that God ‘needs’ us to accomplish His work. Not at all. An omnipotent, sovereign Creator has no need. Rather, God chooses to have us participate in His plans.” 

As I mentioned before, when God made the earth and spoke it into being, He did two things. He created something from nothing, and He created order from chaos. So whenever we work, we imitate God’s creativity.

For example, when a woman student writes a research paper, she may have sixteen books in front of her. She has her computer up. Her brain is going eight million directions. She is bringing order to the chaos as she puts all her research in a logical sequence. She is not creating something from nothing like God did. She is creating something new from something else. We were made in His image to be workers and to do things as God does.

Let me share a few quotes from Gustav Wingren’s fascinating book Luther on Vocation. Martin Luther referred to the jobs, roles, and responsibilities that people held as offices or stations.

Regarding God’s work of sustaining the world, Luther preached, “He gives the wool, but not without our labor. If it is on the sheep, it makes no garment.” Luther explains, “God gives the wool, but it must be sheared, carded, spun, etc. In these vocations God’s creative work moves on, coming to its destination only with the neighbor who needs the clothing … God is active in this. There is a direct connection between God’s work in creation and his work in these offices.” This concept is so simple yet so profound.

Later Wingren reports that Luther wisely came to the following conclusion:

Through this work in man’s offices, God’s creative work goes forward, and that creative work is love, a profusion of good gifts. With persons as his “hands” or “coworkers,” God gives his gifts through the earthly vocations, toward man’s life on earth (food through farmers, fishermen and hunters; external peace through princes, judges, and orderly powers; knowledge and education through teachers and parents, etc.)

Closing thoughts

I trust that this snapshot from my book sheds a little light on some ideas that you may never have heard or considered before. I invite you to check out my book or articles on my blog to discover more of these biblical, practical, and personal concepts on the theology of work. I pray that these life-changing truths will inspire you to look at the way that God works through you in your own profession as His coworker.

About the author:

Russell E. Gehrlein (Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Retired) is a Christian, husband of 43 years, father of three, grandfather of five, and author of the book, Immanuel Labor – God’s Presence in our Profession: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Approach to the Doctrine of Work, published by WestBow Press in February 2018. He received a Master of Arts in biblical studies from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary in 2015. He is passionate about helping his brothers and sisters in Christ with ordinary jobs understand that their work matters to God and that they can experience His presence at work every day. He has written more than 320 articles on a variety of faith and work and other topics; many of them have been published or posted on Christian organization’s websites, including the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, Coram Deo, Nashville Institute for Faith + Work, Made to Flourish, The Gospel Coalition, and Christian Grandfather Magazine.

Imagery in Scripture – God’s Ears

(Note: This is the final article in a four-part series. I invite you to read my introduction, where I shared what I discovered in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Click here for the previous article I wrote on God’s eyes.)

The psalmist writes, “Does he who fashioned the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see?” (Ps. 94:9).

This rhetorical question has one obvious answer. Yes, the God who created human ears does hear, although He does not have physical ears. He sees, as well, without having literal eyes. These are literary devices to reveal that God gets directly involved with His people. He is with us. His hands act on our behalf, His mouth speaks truth to us, His eyes see our needs, and His ears hear our prayers.

As we take one last look at a body part that God possesses in a figurative sense, may I remind you that our ears have limitations. We don’t hear high or low frequencies. Some of us have ringing in our ears or hearing loss which causes us to ask people to repeat themselves. We can’t sort through competing sounds and noises and we can’t hear the unspoken words from a person’s downcast heart.

On the other hand, it should be fairly obvious to all who know God personally through faith in Jesus Christ that God’s ears have no limitations. They are far superior to ours. He hears all that He needs to hear all of the time. He can hear words long before we speak them and words that we would never speak.

In this article, I will share my observations about God’s ears from Ezra and Nehemiah. I will discuss a few other Scriptures concerning God’s ears so that we can know Him better. Lastly, I will ask my readers to consider what they can do with their own ears in response to what they know about God’s ears.

God’s ears in Ezra

At first glance, I did not find any direct references to God’s ears. However, after a second look, I discovered that God’s people actively worshiped and prayed to their God who they believed was clearly able to hear.

As the Israelites rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem, there was an effort to follow the instructions for worship given by King David. (See 1 Chron. 6:31-32.) After the foundation was laid, there were priests with trumpets and Levites with cymbals who “took their places to praise the Lord” in song (Ezra 3:10-11). They sang, “He is good; his love to Israel endures forever.” Among the exiles who returned from captivity were 128 singers (Ezra 2:41). God’s people must have believed that God had the ability to hear the music that was played and sung for Him.

The Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary indicates that “trumpets were always blown by priests. . . They were most often used on joyous occasions such as here and at the dedication of the rebuilt walls of Jerusalem (Neh. 12:25).”

We see several references to prayer in this book as well. King Darius issued a degree where he pledged his financial support for the project. He knew that it was in his best interest, “so that they may offer sacrifices pleasing to the God of heaven and pray for the well-being of the king and his sons” (Ezra 6:10). Later, Ezra offers a long prayer of genuine confession of the sins of God’s people (Ezra 9:5-15).

God’s ears in Nehemiah

I mentioned in my last article in this series on God’s eyes that Nehemiah began his prayer with a petition that the Lord’s ears would be “attentive” and that His eyes would be “open to hear” his prayer on behalf of  God’s people (Neh. 1:6). Nehemiah believed God could see the disgraceful condition of the walls around Jerusalem and would hear his words as he poured out his heart. He echoes this plea at the end of the prayer: “O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name” (Neh. 1:11).

After the wall is completed, we see the Israelites gathering to fast and pray. They listened to the reading of the Law for several hours, and then spent an equal amount of time confessing their sins. In a wonderful summary of how God created the heavens, made a covenant with Abram, and delivered His people from Egypt, they acknowledged that God saw their bondage and “heard their cry” (Neh. 9:9).

At the end of this long prayer, they recalled how the Israelites rebelled in the wilderness. They remembered that God handed them over to their enemies. In their oppression, they cried out to God. He “heard them” and rescued them. However, they took God for granted and disobeyed again. But God, in His mercy heard them when they cried out to God. They did this again and again (Neh. 9:26-28).

God’s ears throughout the Bible

Psalm 5:1-3 immediately comes to mind, in the form of a praise hymn. The psalmist wrote: “Give ear to my words, O Lord. Consider my meditation. Harken unto the voice of my cry, my King and my God. For unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning” (KJV). (Click here to watch and listen to a video of this song from one of the Maranatha Praise albums from way back when.)

My wife reminded me of a verse found in Isa. 65:24 that has a personal meaning to her. Yahweh declares, “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” This promise teaches us that even before we utter a word, God has already prepared an answer. What we learn from this passage is that God is always one step ahead of us. He knows what we need way before we have taken the time, found the courage, and put the right words together to lift up our need.

In the Gospels, I found an interesting verse. A blind man that Jesus had just healed said in John 9:31, “We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.” It was a common teaching at the time in the Jewish faith that God only hears and responds to the prayers of His faithful ones. The only prayer God would answer from an unbeliever would be one of repentance.

How should we respond to God’s ears?

Because God listened to the prayers of His people, they listened to His word. We see this in Neh. 8:3, when Ezra reads the Law on the first day of the month. “He read it aloud from daybreak till noon . . . And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.” We see it again the very next day (Neh. 8:13) and also on the twenty-fourth day of the same month (Neh. 9:1-3). This attitude of humility was in contrast to what their forefathers had done, which was to refuse to listen (Neh. 9:17).

This same response is appropriate for us. Jesus said, “Whoever belongs to God hears what God says.” (John 8:47). God’s people listen to Him. In John 10:27. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice.” Jesus’s sheep are ones who trust the Shepherd and actively listen to His voice so that they do not go astray.

Moreover, the natural response by a believer to knowing that God actively listens to the prayers of His people is for us to pray. If we believe God is listening, how can we not lift up our voices? Just like our response to the words coming from God’s mouth through the Bible is to listen to Him speak, our right response to God’s ability and desire to hear us is for us to speak with Him.

As I referenced musical instruments and singing earlier, I could not help but recall that believers are called to praise and worship through song. Psalm 96:1 declares, “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.” Singing our praises to the Lord, which involves our heart, soul, mind, and strength, is a great way for us to express our love to God, which Jesus taught was the greatest commandment.

Final thoughts

For those who have joined me in this deeper study of some of the attributes of God, I applaud you for sticking with it as I have posted these articles since late January. I trust that these insights that I observed were helpful in your pursuit of drawing near to God the Father. This lifelong endeavor is what Jesus envisioned, as He paid the penalty for our sins on the cross so that we could be reconciled to God.

I encourage you to continue to pop in and out of both the Old and New Testaments to discover the treasures that you will find as the Holy Spirit teaches you about God the Father and God the Son on every page.

About the author:

Russell E. Gehrlein (Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Retired) is a Christian, husband of 43 years, father of three, grandfather of five, and author of the book, Immanuel Labor – God’s Presence in our Profession: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Approach to the Doctrine of Work, published by WestBow Press in February 2018. He received a Master of Arts in biblical studies from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary in 2015. He is passionate about helping his brothers and sisters in Christ with ordinary jobs understand that their work matters to God and that they can experience His presence at work every day. He has written more than 320 articles on a variety of faith and work and other topics; many of them have been published or posted on Christian organization’s websites, including the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, Coram Deo, Nashville Institute for Faith + Work, Made to Flourish, The Gospel Coalition, and Christian Grandfather Magazine.

Imagery in Scripture – God’s Eyes

(Note: This is the third article in a four-part series. I invite you to read my introduction, where I shared what I discovered in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Click here for the previous article I wrote on God’s mouth.)

I want to take a different approach from what I took in my previous two articles in this series. With God’s hands, there did not seem to be major differences between His hands and ours, other that perhaps His are bigger. The word picture or literary device of assigning a human body part to God the Father (who does not have a literal body) merely extended our understanding of what human hands do to what is revealed in Scripture that God does for His people. The article on God’s mouth took a similar approach. However, when I reflect on God’s eyes, there seems to be some obvious distinctions between what His eyes can do and what ours can do.

Human eyes have many limitations. We can only see clearly in one direction at a time. We have peripheral vision, but it’s always out of focus. We see a little bit to the right and left, as well as up and down, beyond what we can focus on in front of us. We can sense movements, which usually causes us to turn our head in that direction to look more intently at the stimulus. We cannot see behind us or outside of our normal range of vision. We cannot see long distances; that requires a telescope. We cannot see objects too small for the naked eye; that requires a microscope.

Another shortcoming considers light levels. We can see in daylight, but we cannot see in pitch black conditions. Also, we cannot see through solid objects. We cannot see what is in someone’s head or heart. Some of us need glasses with trifocals to see clearly. We can be temporarily blinded when a foreign object like dust blows into our eyes. Other limitations come to mind. We miss things. Our eyes can get tired, bloodshot, infected, tear-filled, blink, and are closed for hours at a time every night when we sleep. We cannot see everything, everywhere, all of the time.

In contrast, God’s eyes have no limitations. He sees everything, everywhere, all the time. Psalm 139:1-6 informs us that God knows what we do, think, and say because He sees us. King David writes, “O Lord, you have searched for me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar . . . Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.” He sees the far reaches of the universe at the macro level and every detail at the microscopic level because He made it all. He sees through the darkness. (See Ps. 139:12.) He knows our thoughts and the intentions of our hearts. God’s eyes do not get tired, blink, or close at night.

As I have done before, I will share my observations about God’s eyes from Ezra and Nehemiah. I will discuss a few other Scriptures where more is seen about the eyes of God so that we can know Him better. Lastly, I will ask my readers to consider how to respond to what they know about God’s eyes.

God’s eyes in Ezra

As I listed the verses I noticed that mentioned God’s body parts and man’s response with those same body parts into a chart that I hastily drew in the lower half of the last page of the book of Ezra, I found only one verse that directly referred to God’s eyes. I was somewhat disappointed in that result, as the other cells in my chart were full of references. The one verse I did find does intrigue me still. Let me unpack what is written and what is later implied in this book.

In Ezra chapter 5, we see that Jews begin rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. the Jews encountered opposition from outsiders. Their intent was to stop this project. Ezra reports that “the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews,” and thus their work continued (Ezra 5:5). This brief observation using the literary device of anthropomorphism reveals to us much about the character of God. He is always present and is always watching His people. (See Ps. 139.) He will act on what He sees. Because He is watching and acting on our behalf when we are about His business, we can rest assured that He will provide for us and protect us when we need it.

Although I did not find any other verses that specifically mentioned God’s eyes, what God saw, etc., the many references to God’s hand that I discussed in the first article in this series seem to imply that God had to have seen what His people needed before He acted with His hand of protection and providence.

God’s eyes in Nehemiah

I only found two references to God’s eyes in the book of Nehemiah. However, what I lacked in quantity was made up for in quality. These verses were even more intriguing than the one I just discussed in Ezra.

Nehemiah gives us a great eye-witness account of the rebuilding of the walls around Jerusalem. After he is made aware of the condition of the wall, Nehemiah prayed. His beautiful expression of praise and thanksgiving, confession of sin, and supplication for success in the work which he and his people will attempt grabs the readers’ interest. Nehemiah asks God to “Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying” (Neh. 1:6). I have to wonder, Why did Nehemiah ask the LORD to keep his eyes open in addition to His ears?

The Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary sheds a little light on this verse. They indicate: “Nehemiah asked God to look at him and listen to him as he prayed. These words were designed to encourage the one praying, for God does not turn His ears from or close His eyes to His people (Exo. 2:23-25).” The prophet echoed back to God what he knew about His attributes. The verse referred to comes out of the Israelites groaning from their long period of slavery in Egypt. We read in v. 24 that “God heard”, and in v. 25 we read that “God looked”. The understanding that Yahweh heard the prayers and looked out for the welfare of the Israelites implied that He still does those things.

God’s eyes throughout the Bible

In addition to Ps. 139, there are several other references throughout the OT and NT where what God sees is mentioned. The term “eyes of the Lord” are found in 146 places. Here are just a few:

• “It is a land the Lord your God cares for; the eyes of the Lord your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end” (Deut. 11:12)

• “The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord” (Judges 2:11, 3:7, 3:12, 4:1, 6:1, 10:6, and 13:1)

• “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him” (2 Chron. 16:9)

How should my eyes respond to God’s eyes?

When I reflect on what God did with His divine eyes, three appropriate human responses come to my mind: we are to consistently seek the Lord, confess our sins, and minister to those who are truly suffering.

Knowing that God watched over His people, the Israelites diligently sought after Him through forsaking unclean practices and celebrating the Passover (Ezra 6:21), and later, the public reading of Scripture, worship, and prayer (Neh. 8:1-3). God relentlessly pursued a relationship with me out of His lovingkindness; the least I can do is to make every effort to pursue my relationship with Him.

Knowing that God can see through my facade to read my fleshly thoughts, words, and desires should cause me to respond in confession of my sin. Many of those things that God sees in me just don’t belong there.

Knowing that God sees the suffering of people He loves should cause me to pray for them and look for opportunities to minister to those that usually make us uncomfortable: the lost, the last, and the least of these.

I trust that this study opened your eyes to the truths that God sees everything, which is why He is all-knowing. This brings comfort when we need it, but it brings correction and confession when we need that as well.

About the author:

Russell E. Gehrlein (Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Retired) is a Christian, husband of 43 years, father of three, grandfather of five, and author of the book, Immanuel Labor – God’s Presence in our Profession: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Approach to the Doctrine of Work, published by WestBow Press in February 2018. He received a Master of Arts in biblical studies from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary in 2015. He is passionate about helping his brothers and sisters in Christ with ordinary jobs understand that their work matters to God and that they can experience His presence at work every day. He has written more than 320 articles on a variety of faith and work and other topics; many of them have been published or posted on Christian organization’s websites, including the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, Coram Deo, Nashville Institute for Faith + Work, Made to Flourish, The Gospel Coalition, and Christian Grandfather Magazine.

Learning Karate by Waxing Cars

(Note: This article was posted on the Coram Deo blog.)

Last week, I had an interesting discussion with our unit chaplain. He had given a lot of thought to a scene in a classic movie that had some implications for integrating our Christian faith in our work and relationships. His main point is that we don’t always see the results of our hard work. If the end result of what we are pursuing is worth the effort, we need to press on by faith, regardless of the feedback we receive.

Let me briefly summarize this scene and then discuss it from a biblical perspective. I think it will be a valuable discussion.

Wax on, wax off

Mr. Miyagi, the old man with a mysterious past and some mad Karate skills agrees to train Daniel. In this scene, Daniel is complaining that all he has been doing over the entire weekend is helping his coach with various chores like waxing the car, painting the fence, and painting the deck. His muscles are sore. He is exhausted. What is worse is that he is discouraged. He has not seen any connection between what he was asked to do and learning the basics of this martial art. He wants to quit.

With some persuasion, Mr. Miyagi gets Daniel to stay. He shows him how each of the tasks he asked Daniel to do would enable him to execute a basic defensive Karate move. It is hard to remember how cool it was when I saw this scene for the very first time. I was just as amazed as our main character was to see it come together.

What Mr. Miyagi was trying to put across is that learning new skills takes time. There are a variety of ways to learn the muscle memory needed to be able to do these defensive moves without thinking. Waxing cars (circular motions from the inside out) and painting the fence and deck (using vertical and horizontal motions) were the tools the master teacher used for our Karate Kid to learn the skills that would help him later on.

Feedback loops

In our deep theological discussion of this particular scene, the chaplain referred to “feedback loops.” Daniel wanted to quit was because he got no feedback during the tasks he was doing. He did not see the results he expected.

The chaplain talked about small loops, where we receive feedback on our efforts early and often. Much of the time we see large loops, where feedback is late in coming, is infrequent, or never arrives at all. When we see a little progress towards meeting our goals, feedback spurs us on. If no feedback is received, we get discouraged.

Positive feedback which motivates us to keep on doing what we are doing comes in many forms. It can come in words of encouragement or gratitude. Or we see the results of our labors; i.e., we closed the deal, a student’s grades improved, our congregation is growing in faith and numbers, or maybe we saw some hope in the possibilities of a new relationship we have begun to pursue. It might just come from the still small voice of God whispering to our renewed hearts to continue to follow what He has called us to do.

Perseverance is the key to success

I would like to now focus on the application of these things we have discussed.

Whether we are trying to learn a new skill, improve job performance, pursue a relationship, or become a more faithful Christian, the one trait that is required in all of these endeavors is perseverance. We may not get the encouragement we think we need or deserve, but we press on anyway, knowing that God loves us, that He has good plans for us, and that suffering and trials build up our faith.

Looking back over my winding vocational journey through math education, ministry, and with the military, I can honestly say that there were quite a few jobs that I had where I was not sure God’s purposes for me were at the time. However, I do know now that God was present with me every step of the way. There was divine purpose in every chapter of my life, no matter how difficult it was (i.e., being fired from youth ministry in 1985, failing at recruiting duty in 1992, etc.) What I learned from each of the painful jobs I had been given helped me learn new skills, built my character, and made me a better Christ-follower.

Trusting the Coach

Like Daniel-San in the movie, we just need to learn to trust our coach. Let me spell it out. We need to trust the triune God to bring us where He wants us to be. We may not always see the reasons why we are doing the difficult tasks that He may call us to do, but we have to believe that good will come from it if we persevere. We can trust God based on what He has revealed to us in His word regarding His divine attributes.

In Peter’s second epistle, he tells us that God provided everything we need to live a godly life through his divine power. The main resources Peter mentions here is knowing God and His precious promises (2 Peter 1:3-4). When we know who He is and what He promised to do for us, it keeps us motivated to pursue our relationship with Him. Peter breaks it down further so that we know that God has the primary role in our sanctification, but we have a part to do as well. Without our cooperation, we cannot live the abundant life.

Peter lists a number of things Christians need to do to enable God’s divine resources to take effect. We are to “make every effort” to pursue these character qualities by faith through disciplined practice of them in the power of the Holy Spirit: virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, and brotherly love (2 Peter 1:5-7). As a result of this pursuit, Peter says, “For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:8). In other words, the more we practice the basics (wax on, wax off), the more Christlike we will be.

Closing challenge

I trust that whatever season of life you are in, as a young person learning new skills or pursuing a special relationship, or as a seasoned employee who is in the position to give back to others, you are pursuing the tasks that God has called you to do with perseverance. You may not see how it is all going to come together, but if you can trust God, you will gradually grow in skills, knowledge, and Christlikeness.

I leave you with the encouraging words of the Apostle Paul. Meditate on this when you need it: “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:58).

About the author:

Russell E. Gehrlein (Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Retired) is a Christian, husband of 43 years, father of three, grandfather of five, and author of the book, Immanuel Labor – God’s Presence in our Profession: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Approach to the Doctrine of Work, published by WestBow Press in February 2018. He received a Master of Arts in biblical studies from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary in 2015. He is passionate about helping his brothers and sisters in Christ with ordinary jobs understand that their work matters to God and that they can experience His presence at work every day. He has written more than 320 articles on a variety of faith and work and other topics; many of them have been published or posted on Christian organization’s websites, including the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, Coram Deo, Nashville Institute for Faith + Work, Made to Flourish, The Gospel Coalition, and Christian Grandfather Magazine.

Imagery in Scripture – God’s Mouth

(Note: This is the second article in a four-part series. I invite you to read my introduction, where I shared what I discovered in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Click here for the first article I wrote on God’s hands.)

What comes to your mind when you imagine God’s mouth?

Does it have a white beard around it and perfect teeth? Do you hear God’s booming voice? I am hoping you would think about God’s capacity to speak. He certainly does not do so with a literal mouth, but figuratively.

When Scripture refers to something that God said, it is merely a literary device to help us see that God is not silent. He has always spoken to His chosen people through His word and through His prophets. He still speaks.

The Evangelical Dictionary of Theology informs us that one of the Hebrew words used for mouth, which is translated “word” in the Bible when referring to divine communication points to “the source of the declarations as coming directly from God himself. . . As the expression of his being and character, the word of the Lord is the supreme means by which God makes himself known to his creatures.”

I will begin with Ezra and Nehemiah and share my observations about God’s words. Next, I will discuss man’s mouth, and how they relate to one another. I will list a few other Scriptures where more is revealed about the mouth of God (in a figurative sense) so that we can know Him better. Lastly, I will ask my readers to consider what to do with their own mouths in response to what they know about God’s.

God’s mouth speaks in Ezra

Although we may not see this body part mentioned specifically in Ezra, like we did with God’s hands and like we will as we unpack references to God’s eyes and ears, we do see what God’s mouth does. In several places, we read that God gave His words that were spoken and/or written through Jeremiah in Ezra  1:1, Moses in Ezra 3:2, David in Ezra 3:10, and the prophets Haggai and Zechariah in Ezra 5:1.

In Ezra 6:18, we see that as the temple was dedicated, the Jewish leaders installed the priests “according to what is written in the Book of Moses.” This reference to one book is actually the first five books of the Old Testament, known as the Pentateuch. This same source was referred to in Ezra 3:2 as “the Law of Moses,” which is interesting because it was God’s Law. God gave it; Moses wrote it down.

I want to call attention to the attitude of humility towards God’s Law that was exhibited by King Artaxerxes in a letter he wrote to Ezra the priest expressing his support to the rebuilding of the temple. He wrote, “Whatever the God of heaven has prescribed, let it be done with diligence for the temple of the God of heaven. Why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and of his sons?” (Ezra 7:23).

God had put this pagan king of Persia at just the right time and place for His glory. He understood God’s authority was above his own. He knew enough about God to know there would be both short and long-term consequences for lack of obedience to God’s specific instructions about temple worship.

God’s mouth leads in Nehemiah

In the sequel to the book of Ezra, we see that Nehemiah also makes reference to God’s mouth.

There is a moment when Nehemiah goes out at night to inspect Jerusalem’s walls. He casually mentions that he “had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem” (Neh. 2:12). God spoke to Nehemiah’s heart, giving him a vision to take charge of repairing the walls around God’s city.

Nehemiah encourages the rebuilding team by reminding them that God’s hand was with them. He says in Neh. 2:18, “I also toldthem about the gracious hand of my God upon me.” Nehemiah boldly proclaims, “The God of heaven will give us success” (Neh. 2:20). This knowledge of God’s omnipresence during the long days and opposition from their enemies is based on God’s own revelation of His divine attributes, which was highlighted in Ps. 139:7-12 and other places in the Scriptures.

Man’s mouth teaches, prays, and leads in response

As Ezra arrives in Jerusalem, he is referred to as “a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses (Ezra 7:6). We read in v. 10 that “Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.” He took this job seriously. His calling was to take the promises, commands, and narratives in God’s word and enable God’s people to understand and obey them. God gifted Ezra, and countless other teachers, to use their mouth to glorify God.

When Nehemiah hears of the broken condition of the wall around Jerusalem, he sat down and wept. He prayed in response. He acknowledges God’s character, as revealed in the OT Scriptures: “the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands” (Neh. 1:5). He fervently prays that God would hear “the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel” and confesses the sins that he and the Israelites had committed against God degrees and laws (Neh. 6-7). When his team were insulted, Nehemiah prays that God would destroy their enemies (Neh. 4:4-5).

Not only did Nehemiah pray regularly for the work and for his teammates, but he also used his mouth to lead the rebuilding project in response to God’s vision. To be prepared against the many threats from those opposing the work, Nehemiah took charge, posted guards 24/7 (Neh. 4:9), and directed a detailed defense plan (v. 13). He rallied the troops to fight and reminded them of God’s promises (v. 14).

Lastly, God’s word, spoken by the prophets led to shouts of praise. After the wall was rebuilt, we see the Israelites gathered to hear Ezra read “the Book of the Law of Moses” (Neh. 8:1). He read it aloud and “all the people listened attentively” (v. 3). Ezra praised the Lord, and the people worshiped the Lord (v. 6).

God’s mouth throughout the Bible

The first book of the Bible highlights God’s mouth. We read in Gen. 1:3, “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” God created everything by using His mouth and speaking it all into existence.

I would be remiss if I did not mention Jesus’ connection to this topic and His part in the creation narrative mentioned above.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made” (John 1:1-3). John continues, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). Jesus’s pre-incarnate involvement in creation is a mystery. By John calling Jesus “the Word,” we get the impression that God’s voice, which was rarely audible was now going to speak to His followers face-to-face.

How should my mouth respond to God’s mouth?

Like these two prophets, we need to read, listen, and respond appropriately to God’s holy word as revealed in both the Old and New Testaments. As followers of Christ, committed to walking with God, and being filled with His Holy Spirit, we cannot hear God’s voice to us personally without reading and applying His word regularly. We need to grow in our understanding of His truths to guide us.

For those of us who have the spiritual gift of teaching, we need to dive in to the word of God a bit deeper than most. If we are gifted to preach God’s truth or share the gospel with unbelievers, we should do so with a holy boldness. The Apostle Peter wrote, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God” (1 Peter 4:10-11).

I trust that this in-depth look at how God speaks to His people encourage you to seek His face.

(Note: I invite you to read the next article in this series here.)

About the author:

Russell E. Gehrlein (Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Retired) is a Christian, husband of 43 years, father of three, grandfather of five, and author of the book, Immanuel Labor – God’s Presence in our Profession: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Approach to the Doctrine of Work, published by WestBow Press in February 2018. He received a Master of Arts in biblical studies from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary in 2015. He is passionate about helping his brothers and sisters in Christ with ordinary jobs understand that their work matters to God and that they can experience His presence at work every day. He has written more than 320 articles on a variety of faith and work and other topics; many of them have been published or posted on Christian organization’s websites, including the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, Coram Deo, Nashville Institute for Faith + Work, Made to Flourish, The Gospel Coalition, and Christian Grandfather Magazine.

Am I Getting Too Old for This?

I had the blessing this week to begin my Wednesday night class where I teach a ten-week series on the theology of work, using my book, Immanuel Labor – God’s Presence in our Profession. We had one student show up.

This time, since the woman who showed up had attended my class previously, in the fall of 2022, I quickly decided to not go through my book with her again, chapter by chapter. I wanted us to explore some new territory, sort of an advanced class, which I hastily entitled, “More of God’s Presence in Your Profession.”

The first topic we landed on was on aging. This is a subject that was relevant to her, my wife, and me. We wrestled with a variety of things in the hour we had. I thought that it would be appropriate to share some of what we discussed here and to dive into this subject of approaching retirement a little deeper than I had in the past.

(Note: I invite you to read two articles I wrote and posted on my blog that are relevant to this discussion here and here.)

Are they getting too old for this?

Have you ever seen someone who seems to be getting too old for the job they hold? For example, since this is an election year, we have seen much in the media on the mental capacity of the President and the other leading candidate. There are valid concerns about their ability to lead this country due to their age. We have all seen athletes who have stayed too long. In the military profession, we often see senior leaders who many believe have stayed too long on active duty and need to retire.

We also briefly discussed why they might do that. Is it pride? Is it fear of the unknown? Are there financial considerations with facing a sharp decline in income if they are not prepared? I can identify with that area, myself.

Is there anything we could do to help someone if doing their job past their prime becomes a risk to others? For example, let us take law enforcement personnel. If someone is still on the job as a beat policeman, can they reasonably be expected to be able to chase down a suspect? Might their diminishing physical abilities put themselves and others at risk? How would we confront them about that?

There are no easy answers to these issues. As we bring these real-world questions to Scripture and look at them through a biblical lens along with our basic understanding of the theology of work, I think we can agree on a few things. We need to be compassionate towards those who seem to have come to the end of their journey. We may need to speak the truth in love if they can no longer fulfill their obligations or function in their role due to physical or mental limitations. Perhaps we need to make more of an effort to help our coworkers, friends, family members, or ourselves better prepare financially for the future.

Am I getting too old for this?

Another related question shifts the focus from others to ourselves. How do we bring what we know about God and the theology of work into our thought processes when we sense that we are getting too old for the job we have?

I have heard many people say to themselves or to anyone who would listen, “I’m getting too old for this.” Fortunately, I have not said or thought that yet, even though I am rapidly approaching the age when I can draw full Social Security. There will come a day, when I will say the same thing to myself. I can only hope that when I do, I can execute a smooth transition as well my wife did a few years ago.

In our discussion, I put the spotlight on her gracious exit from teaching preschool. She began to notice that teaching these four-year-olds was taking a toll on her back and knees. It was hard to get down to their level and it was even harder to get up. She sensed that she would get impatient with her kids more and more. These physical and emotional challenges were not going away by themselves. They would only get worse over time. What I found so admirable about her decision was that it was focused on others, not just herself.

What is next after retirement?

As we continued our discussion, we drifted into another area that frankly I had not given much thought to previously.

What does a person experience when they retire from decades of working? As we went around the room, we mentioned restlessness, the need to find another outlet for their talents, experience, and energy, and concerns about money. The sudden loss of not only income but identity is something that is usually felt quite deeply. Unless a retiree finds something of value to do, they can be a bit lost.

One last topic was discussed was how to overcome the negative effects of the abrupt end of full-time work. We can volunteer our time.

When we leave paid employment for good, what opportunities are there in your community to serve others and God until we are no longer able to do so. What gifts do we have that we did not get to use much because we did not have the time? What is most needed around you? What has God laid on your heart to do?

Biblical examples

I know a few examples in Scripture where ending one’s career and the subsequent transition were briefly addressed. The first one was positive; the second one was negative. I wish I had thought of these in class.

Our first transition is between Elijah and Elisha. Elijah had just defeated 450 prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:16-40). Afterwards, he ran for his life to escape Jezebel (1 Kings 19:1-3). He was depressed to the point of considering suicide, exhausted, and hungry. The Lord sent an angel who provided bread and water (1 Kings 19:4-7). At Mount Horeb, God told Elijah that his days as prophet were coming to a close and that he was to anoint Elisha as his successor (1 Kings 19:16). Immediately following, we see a solid battle handoff between Elijah and Elisha (1 Kings 19:19). Elisha accepted the job and began his apprenticeship under Elijah’s tutelage. Just before Elijah was taken into heaven, we see Elisha asking for a double portion of God’s Spirit, indicating that his training was complete (2 Kings 2:9).

In my second example, we read about the potential risks of passing on one’s business to another: “I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun” (Eccl. 2:18-19). He makes a good point.

Final reflection and challenge

Perhaps there might be some lessons we can learn from these two passages. Unlike Elijah, I suspect most of us may not be able to select and train our replacements. To avoid the disastrous results that the writer of Ecclesiastes was concerned about, it might be prudent to take steps to prepare our current employees and the person who will succeed us to carry on the policies, procedures, climate, etc., that we have spent years developing. I know a Christian principal who is doing that with her teachers as she plans to retire in a couple of years. I will have to be proactive and do the same before I vacate my position also.

As I wrapped up our session, I also emphasized something God has laid on my heart whenever I have thought about my own retirement. I am convinced that God will lead us just as much at the end of our vocational journey as He has during the beginning and middle of it. For me, I have always seen God open and close doors, lead me where I needed to go in order to glorify Him, and provide for our family’s needs. Because God never changes, I believe He will continue to lead and provide as my career comes to an end.

I trust that you found this to be helpful, either now or in the future. We will all be there someday.

About the author:

Russell E. Gehrlein (Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Retired) is a Christian, husband of 43 years, father of three, grandfather of five, and author of the book, Immanuel Labor – God’s Presence in our Profession: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Approach to the Doctrine of Work, published by WestBow Press in February 2018. He received a Master of Arts in biblical studies from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary in 2015. He is passionate about helping his brothers and sisters in Christ with ordinary jobs understand that their work matters to God and that they can experience His presence at work every day. He has written more than 230 articles on a variety of faith and work topics; 60% of these have been published or posted over 270 times on several Christian organization’s websites, including the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, Coram Deo, Nashville Institute for Faith + Work, Made to Flourish, The Gospel Coalition, and Christian Grandfather Magazine.

How Does Your Theology of Work Help You in Your Job Search?

Over the past several months, I have seen occasional glimpses of recent college graduates who are posting on social media their utter disappointment in America due to their difficulty in finding meaningful employment.

I have a simple message I want our students to hear. This is not a political issue. It’s not about economics, and it has nothing to do with what is happening in the world today. It is much bigger than that. It has to do with theology.

I have a burden to introduce students and new graduates to the theology of work. Understanding what God’s Word says about work and knowing how to practice the presence of the triune God at work will change their perspective about where they will spend the majority of their waking hours every single day for the next 40 years.

Let me explore some of the challenges that Millennials and Gen Z are facing, and then provide a biblical and theological perspective that may better prepare Christian students who will graduate this spring with a way forward.

Where are the struggles?

In one article I read, it quoted a few recent graduates who were frustrated with their lack of employability in this economy. Let me summarize some of their concerns:

• “I’ve been applying to marketing jobs,” but the jobs that pay “$150,000 to $200,000 a year, I’m not getting those.”

• “No matter how many jobs I apply to, getting a job feels impossible.”

• “Unless you know somebody or you’re super qualified, there is like a 9 out of 10 chance that you are not getting the job.”

What I see is a combination of unrealistic expectations, a sense of hopelessness, and a frustration with the education system that failed to prepare them for the tough challenges of finding employment after receiving a bachelor’s degree.

How does the Bible address these issues?

The struggles that these college graduates face are valid. However, it was clear they did not have a biblical basis to frame their job search. This would offer them hope in a God who is faithful to provide for us when we seek Him.

The Bible speaks to these concerns: God promises to meet the needs of His children (Phil. 4:19). Income will grow after a season of diligent work and God’s blessing (Prov. 10:4). God opens doors for those who use their skills well (Prov. 22:29). 

More importantly, unbelievers do not have much of a chance of finding meaningful work or anything else good in this world without first being reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ. The clear message of Ecclesiastes is that life under the sun (versus life under the Son) is “meaningless, a chasing after the wind” (Eccl. 2:11).

Consider this. Jesus told His disciples, “Seek first his kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matt. 6:33; Luke 12:31). In context, Jesus was speaking about how God would meet the basic needs (i.e., food and clothing) of His creatures, including us. Certainly, God is more than able to provide directly for us by miraculous means. But how does He normally meet those needs? God usually does so indirectly through our jobs, which provide money to buy food and clothing for us and our families. I see a very clear connection between seeking God first and finding the right job.

What advantages does a Christian student have?

I have to agree with the student quoted above who said that unless you know someone, you probably won’t get the job. For the Christian, it does come down to who you know. Knowing God makes all the difference in finding a job.

With God’s help, Christians who are looking for work will find one that meet their needs. A follower of Jesus has all the resources he or she needs to identify their divine design and find a job where God can use them as His coworker to meet the wide spectrum of human needs. They can seek God’s wisdom and will find it in His word, which will help students to be more successful in their job search.

R. Paul Stevens, in Work Matters: Lessons from Scripture, helps us to appreciate God’s providence in our lives. He writes, “It means that God is even more interested in our life-purpose that we are … Such an understanding of God’s providential ordering of our lives should stimulate our confidence, gratitude, and faith.”

Many years ago, I was in the same situation, looking to find my first teaching job after I graduated. He provided. A couple of years later, I sensed a call to ministry. A few years later, that door closed, so I joined the Army. After 20 years of active duty, I retired, but now I work for the Army in a civilian capacity. Throughout my winding career path from math, to ministry, to the military, I clearly saw God lead me.

Where do we go from here?

I hope I was clear enough in my explanation above to argue that yes, Christian college (and high school) graduates do have certain advantages when it comes to competing successfully in the job market. Perhaps I could offer up a word of encouragement by way of modern application from the writings of the Apostle Paul: “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31).

Finding a job is always going to be a spiritual journey for the Christian. Here are a few practical tips from my own experience that I can share with you:

• Cast a wide net – Apply for jobs outside your comfort zone with respect to your major, your geographical preferences, and ideal positions

• Use all means available – Use job search websites, network, attend job fairs, and consider making cold calls to businesses or organizations that might need someone like you

• Just get your foot in the door – You can keep looking for that dream job while employed full-time

God loves you. He is very much present in your job search. I challenge you to get on your knees long before you hit the pavement looking for that first job. And when you get rolling along in your job search, continue to pray. Keep seeking Him and expect good things from your heavenly father. He will provide in His time. He is faithful, if you trust Him. When you do get that job, give Him all the glory.

(Note: I invite you to read a relevant article I wrote for the Nashville Institute for Faith + Work entitled, “Encouragement for New Graduates on God’s Presence in Your Vocational Journey.”)

About the author:

Russell E. Gehrlein (Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Retired) is a Christian, husband of 43 years, father of three, grandfather of five, and author of the book, Immanuel Labor – God’s Presence in our Profession: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Approach to the Doctrine of Work, published by WestBow Press in February 2018. He received a Master of Arts in biblical studies from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary in 2015. He is passionate about helping his brothers and sisters in Christ with ordinary jobs understand that their work matters to God and that they can experience His presence at work every day. He has written more than 230 articles on a variety of faith and work topics; over 60% of these have been published or posted over 270 times on several Christian organization’s websites, including the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, Coram Deo, Nashville Institute for Faith + Work, Made to Flourish, The Gospel Coalition, and Christian Grandfather Magazine.

Imagery in Scripture – God’s Hands

(Note: This is the first article in a four-part series. I encourage you to read my introduction here.)

What do you think of when you read something in the Bible about God’s hands?

Do you picture extra-large hands? Are they old and wrinkled? Do you picture God’s angry fist, ready to smash sinners in one powerful slam? Or, do you imagine the Father’s gentle hands of protection, generosity, and blessing?

I am hoping that you have chosen the last thing I listed above. But don’t take my word for it. Let’s explore this topic together.

I will start with Ezra and Nehemiah to highlight what we learn about God’s hands. Next, I will share what I see regarding man’s hands, and how they relate to one another. I will share other Scriptures where more is revealed about the hands of God (in a figurative sense) so that we can know Him better. Lastly, I will ask my readers to consider what to do with their own hands in response to what they know about God’s hands.

God’s hands of blessing in Ezra

The hand of God has often been portrayed as vengeful, but these verses painted a different picture of God’s blessings towards Ezra.

In Ezra chapter 7, I noticed three references to God’s hand in close proximity. The narrator of the story states that “The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him” (Ezra 7:6); “the gracious hand of his God was on him” (Ezra 7:9); and “the hand of the Lord my God was on me” (Ezra 7:28).

I also saw this same word picture used in Ezra 8:18 and 22. God’s protection from enemies is what is intended in Ezra 8:31.

God’s hands of protection in Nehemiah

When Nehemiah asks the king for permission to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. He concludes, “because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests” (Neh. 2:8). As he shares his plan, he restates that God’s gracious hand was upon him, which would grant them success in their work (Neh. 2:18).

Nehemiah knew God’s hands were gracious to His people. He also knew God would fight those who resisted them (Neh. 4:20). Nehemiah, like Ezra and many others before them who saw God’s hands defeat His enemies as the Israelites entered into the Promised Land, understood the power of God’s hands of protection.

Man’s hands respond in service and praise

I love the connection between God’s hands and man’s hands that Ezra and Nehemiah describe.

In the same chapter where we saw God’s hands mentioned three times, we read a letter to Ezra the priest, written by King Artaxerxes. He gave his permission for the priests and Levites who wanted to go with Ezra to Jerusalem. He mentions the Law, which is in your hand” (Ezra 7:14). This Law, which was alluded to in Ezra 7:11, contained “the commands and degrees of the Lord for Israel.” The king seems to acknowledge that these Jewish leaders had possession of the Law and were entrusted with it. (See Rom. 3:1-2.)

As we move to Nehemiah, we see man’s hands respond to God’s hands of protection by serving and working to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. This manual labor, done by hand is implied in Neh. 2:16-17. (This book well illustrates the connection between God’s presence and man’s work, which I like to call Immanual labor).

In chapters 3 and 4, we see a snapshot of the work to rebuild the wall and defend the workers against their enemies. Half the men worked on the wall, “while the other half held spears, shields, bows and armor” (Neh. 4:16). In v. 17, we read, “Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other.”

In Neh. 6:9, we read about those who opposed the work. They thought that the Israelites’ hands would get tired, and be too weak to finish the work. In response, Nehemiah prayed to Yahweh, “Now strengthen my hands.” Later, after the work was completed, Ezra praised the Lord, “and all the people lifted their hands” (Neh. 8:6).

After observing all of these things, I came to the conclusion that God’s hand of protection enabled man’s hands to do His work.

God’s hands throughout the Bible

The Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary indicates, “The expression ‘hand of God’ refers to His great power (Deut. 2:15; Ezek. 1:3). Often the emphasis of this expression is on God’s power in creation (Ps 8:6; Is. 64:8). Sometimes His power in judgment is emphasized, especially in the phrase, ‘His hand is outstretched” (Ruth 1:13; Is. 9:12, 17) However, God may also extend His hand to express His mercy and forgiveness (Ps 37:24).”

There are over 160 references to “hand of God”. It would be fun to check these out. However, there is one verse I want to zero in on.

We read in 1 Peter 5:6, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” This is actually a double reference to God’s hands. Did you catch it? We are exhorted to humble ourselves under God’s hand, so that as a result, God would lift us up to bless us with this same hand. The opposite is also true. If we fail to humble ourselves, we can’t expect God to lift us up.  

How should our hands respond to God’s hands?

Three things come to mind when I consider what should be our natural response to God’s hand of protection, blessing, and mercy:

• Hands lifted in praise – I am not referring to a style of worship that we may or may not be comfortable with; I am referring to lifting our hands in surrender to God to acknowledge His control of our lives (Ps. 28:2)

• Clean hands – I need to live out my sanctification by pursuing holiness; this will lead to a more consistent experience of enjoying God’s presence (Ps. 24:3-4)

• Hands that serve others – Like the Good Samaritan, I need to sacrificially meet the needs of those in my path and reach out to the least, the lost, and the last (Luke 10:25-37)

Final thoughts

Some of you may be thinking, “Where is the so what?”

What I want my brothers and sisters in Christ to take away from this series on the imagery in the OT that assigns human-like characteristics to God is to better understand the attributes of God the Father. Many Christians seem to relate to Jesus more than they do the God that Jesus pointed to. I find this to be a tragic misunderstanding. Jesus did not come to replace the Father; He came to reveal God to us and reconcile us to Him.

Consider this. If you know Jesus better than you know God the Father, you have missed something significant. If you think you know God, but do not know Jesus, you cannot take God’s hand without coming to faith in Christ first. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

I must close with one more verse about God’s hands. They hold His children securely unto eternal life. Jesus said in John 10:28-29, “no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” This is a promise we can definitely count on.

(Note: I invite you to read the next article in this series here.)

About the author:

Russell E. Gehrlein (Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Retired) is a Christian, husband of 43 years, father of three, grandfather of five, and author of the book, Immanuel Labor – God’s Presence in our Profession: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Approach to the Doctrine of Work, published by WestBow Press in February 2018. He received a Master of Arts in biblical studies from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary in 2015. He is passionate about helping his brothers and sisters in Christ with ordinary jobs understand that their work matters to God and that they can experience His presence at work every day. He has written 230 articles on a variety of faith and work topics; 60% of these have been published or posted over 270 times on several Christian organization’s websites, including the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, Coram Deo, Nashville Institute for Faith + Work, Made to Flourish, The Gospel Coalition, and Christian Grandfather Magazine.

God Still uses Cracked Pots

(Note: This article was published on the Faith, Work & Economics blog, the Christian Grandfather Magazine, and the Coram Deo blog.)

Have you ever had an employee who wasn’t fully competent, who had a bad attitude, who made big mistakes, who didn’t make much of an effort to communicate with you on a regular basis to ask for help or guidance? I know I have.

My purpose is not to discuss how to work with incompetent people. I addressed that subject in a previous article. The people I want to discuss are you and me. We are not fully competent, have negative attitudes, make big mistakes, and don’t make time to pray and read God’s Word. And yet, by His mercy and grace, God chooses to use us as His coworkers. God works with, in, and through us wherever He has placed us to love those around us by meeting the wide spectrum of human needs in spite of our fallen nature.

I believe that many Christians do not experience God’s presence at work because they feel unworthy. I invite you to explore with me some timeless truths from God’s word that will help to answer the following questions: Why does God work with imperfect people? How does He do it? Is there anything we can do to help?

We are God’s coworkers

Before I answer these questions, allow me to first summarize the idea that we are God’s coworkers, reflect on a key verse, and offer some examples where God used imperfect humans to do great things for His Kingdom.

The concept that we were created to be God’s coworkers to rule over and care for creation is found in Gen. 1:28 and 2:15. The Theology of Work Bible Commentary (TOWBC) states, “God worked to create us and created us to work. . . God brought into being a flawless creation, an ideal platform, and then created humanity to continue the creation project.” God made us to continue His work to expand and sustain the creation.

In 2 Cor. 4:7, the Apostle Paul lays out a picture of what we have in Christ. He calls it a treasure. In context, it is the precious gift of understanding and being able to communicate the good news of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.

Paul writes that this valuable knowledge/skill/calling is packaged in what he calls “earthen vessels” (NASB). Other translations refer to this human body of ours as “earthen vessels [of human frailty]” (AMP), “common clay pots” (GNT), “jars of clay” (NIV), and “cracked pots made of earth and clay” (The Voice). I prefer the last one.

Examples of imperfect coworkers

Before I explain why, allow me list several imperfect coworkers whom God used, despite their many human weaknesses.

Moses had doubts about his ability to be used as God’s spokesman. Perhaps it was a speech impediment. Maybe he lacked confidence. He asked Yahweh, “Who am I that I should go?” God said, “I will be with you.” His response implied, “It doesn’t matter who you are; all that matters is who I AM” (Ex. 3:10-14).

Peter denied Jesus three times, yet Jesus chose him to lead the early church in Jerusalem. Paul had a thorn in his side to keep him humble and dependent on God. Other less than perfect believers include Abraham (a liar), Sarah (impatient), Jacob (deceiver), Jonah (disobedient), David (adulterer and murderer), and Thomas (doubter). If God used these cracked pots, I know that He will use you and I also.

Why does God work with imperfect people?

The simple answer is that there are no perfect workers. We are all sinners saved by grace. Although Christians are justified (declared righteous) by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, we are not righteous in practice. This requires sanctification, which is a lifelong process. It is more about direction than perfection.

Regarding our justification, we read in Rom. 8:1 that “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Because our sins are taken out of the way at the moment of salvation, we are loved by God. This love never ends (Rom. 8:38-39). Jesus said that “No one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28). As the hymn “Amazing Grace declares, “I once was lost, but now I’m found.” This new status is irreversible.

Regarding our sanctification, the apostle Paul wrote that as a result of our personal relationship with Jesus, He begins to perfect us through the Holy Spirit until we die, or He returns. He wrote, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6).

How does God use imperfect people?

Let’s take a closer look at King David. We know that he was far from perfect. He was not a good man, and yet he was called by the Lord “a man after his own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14). God used him to write much of the Psalms.

After committing adultery with Bathsheba and murdering her husband, he was confronted by Nathan the prophet. David sincerely confessed his sin (Ps. 51:1-10). He knew that he had sinned against God Himself. He wanted a pure heart. Later, in Ps. 103:11-12, David rejoiced in the blessedness of forgiven sin. After David’s fellowship with God was restored, he was able to pursue what God had called Him to do.

We read in 2 Tim. 2:21 that those who cleanse themselves from wickedness will be useful to the Master. That is what I want to be. I learned as a young Christian college student through the campus ministry I was involved in to keep short accounts with God. The concept was called “spiritual breathing.” Once I was made aware of my sin (usually through the conviction of the Holy Spirit), I would exhale, which is the confession part. (See 1 John 1:9.) Next, I would pray that God would fill me once again with His Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18), which was the inhaling part. After decades of practice, I still do this often.

Is there anything we can do?

So, if God uses me to serve others even when I struggle with sin, does that mean I should continue to sin? The Apostle Paul shouts, “May it never be!” (Rom. 6:1-2). Just because God chooses to work through imperfect people by His mercy and grace doesn’t mean that we should do nothing to try to improve the situation.

We are called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12-13). When we seek Him through Bible Study and prayer, we grow in grace. Even though we will never be sinless in this life, over time, we will sin less. Our sanctification is both passive and active. God works in us, and we work it out.

Here are some additional actions we can take to be able to do that:

• Eph. 6:10-17 – Put on the armor of God be able to stand against temptation
• 2 Tim. 2:22 – Flee youthful lusts and pursue righteousness with other Christians
• Heb. 12:1-2 – Get rid of the sins that can trip us; fix our eyes on Jesus to help us

Final thoughts

Let me circle back to 2 Cor. 4:7, where we discussed our humble status as cracked pots. One of God’s purposes in using us despite our being incompetent is that whenever we see positive results from the work we do, we know it was all from God. We can’t take the credit. He gets all the glory. Looking at it another way, when we consistently abide in the Jesus as the vine and bear the fruit of the Spirit (see Gal. 5:22-23) wherever we have been planted, God the Father – the gardener – gets the glory as well (John 15:1-5).

A good employer is patient with his incompetent employees, especially when they are making an effort and are an asset, not a liability. I would venture to say that God is more than patient with us when we fail, have bad attitudes, make mistakes, and neglect seeking God in His word and prayer to ask for His guidance. However, let us not take His patience and mercy for granted, but strive to work for His glory.

(Note: I encourage you to read the book, The Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence. He served as a kitchen worker in a monastery and experienced God’s presence daily. This book inspired me as a young Christian. It set the tone for how I experience God’s presence no matter where I am or what I am doing.)

About the author:

Russell E. Gehrlein (Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Retired) is a Christian, husband of 43 years, father of three, grandfather of five, and author of the book, Immanuel Labor – God’s Presence in our Profession: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Approach to the Doctrine of Work, published by WestBow Press in February 2018. He received a Master of Arts in biblical studies from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary in 2015. He is passionate about helping his brothers and sisters in Christ with ordinary jobs understand that their work matters to God and that they can experience His presence at work every day. He has written 230 articles on a variety of faith and work topics; 60% of these have been published or posted over 270 times on several Christian organization’s websites, including the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, Coram Deo, Nashville Institute for Faith + Work, Made to Flourish, The Gospel Coalition, and Christian Grandfather Magazine.

Biblical Imagery in Ezra and Nehemiah

A few years ago, I read through the book of Ezra. I had read it before, but hadn’t really studied it, so I meditated on it with great interest and focus.

What I found there was a gold mine of literary devices that fall into the category of imagery: a word picture that evokes a specific meaning. These images are examples of anthropomorphism, where an author assigns human characteristics to something not human, i.e., an animal, object, or in this case a triune deity.

Let me provide a long overdue introduction to a four-part study on the imagery that I found in these two OT books.

God’s hands

In Ezra chapter 7, I noticed three references to God’s hands in close proximity. The narrator of the story states that “The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him” (Ezra 7:6); “the gracious hand of his God was on him” (Ezra 7:9); and “the hand of the Lord my God was on me” (Ezra 7:28). Each verse painted a picture of God’s blessing that Ezra experienced. 

The hand of God has often been portrayed as vengeful, but clearly not in this context. I also saw this same word picture used in Ezra 8:18 and 22. God’s protection from enemies is the meaning that is intended in Ezra 8:31.

God’s mouth and eyes

As I meditated on this book, I had to go back to the beginning to see what I missed. I noticed much use of imagery that I had overlooked. Other body parts were used (or implied) to describe what God did among His people. 

For example, God’s mouth which gave words that were spoken through Jeremiah in Ezra  1:1, Moses in Ezra 3:2, David in Ezra 3:10, and the prophets Haggai and Zechariah in Ezra 5:1. I also caught something about the eye of God, who watched over the Jews, which was mentioned in Ezra 5:5. This use of imagery described God’s protection as the Jewish elders went about rebuilding the temple.

More Imagery in Nehemiah

When I began to read Nehemiah, I saw more references to God’s body parts, which also included his ears. These images seemed to highlight God’s divine attribute of immanence (God’s direct involvement in the life of man). This is in contrast to His attribute of transcendence, which focuses on Him being separate from us. (Note: I invite you to read an article I wrote and posted on my blog about these two attributes of God here.)

When Nehemiah asks the king for permission to help rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. He concludes, “because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests” (Neh. 2:8). As he introduces his plan to the priests and the others who would be doing the rebuilding, he restates that God’s gracious hand was upon him, which would grant them success in their work (Neh. 2:18).

Furthermore, I observed in both books that there were several corresponding references to man’s hands, mouth, eyes, ears, and heart, in contrast to God’s body parts. I was excited to discover a purpose in this. Take hands, for example. I sensed that God’s hands of protection enabled man’s hands to do God’s work.

Our God is better than idols

I have to add a comment at this point about the contrast between Yahweh and the idols that were prevalent in the Old Testament. Psalm 115:5-7 describes these man-made idols: “They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats.”

The psalmist is pointing out the futility of these idols. They have no real power. They cannot compare with the God the Israelites have. Although Yahweh does not physically have a mouth, eyes, ears, hands, or feet, as He is not flesh and blood, He certainly speaks, sees, hears, touches, and walks with His people.

Application

So, what does all of this mean for believers today? What are we to do with this knowledge about these attributes of God?

Here are some basic truths that pop out of these passages that can help us to know, believe, and obey the God who has revealed Himself to us in Scripture and in the person of Jesus Christ:

• God always initiates interaction with His people; he sees, hears, and protects us
• God expects us to respond to Him accordingly in love and obedience
• In the OT, we see God revealed in forms and shadows; in the NT, we see God in the flesh in Jesus

I invite you to join me as I explore in more depth the hands, mouth, eyes, and ears of God from these Old Testament books.

About the author:

Russell E. Gehrlein (Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Retired) is a Christian, husband of 43 years, father of three, grandfather of five, and author of the book, Immanuel Labor – God’s Presence in our Profession: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Approach to the Doctrine of Work, published by WestBow Press in February 2018. He received a Master of Arts in biblical studies from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary in 2015. He is passionate about helping his brothers and sisters in Christ with ordinary jobs to understand that their work matters to God and that they can experience His presence at work every day. He has written over 220 articles on a variety of faith and work topics; 60% of these have been published or posted 270 times on several Christian organization’s websites, including the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, Coram Deo, Nashville Institute for Faith + Work, Made to Flourish, The Gospel Coalition, and Christian Grandfather Magazine.