Working in the World

Scripture:
Do not stare at me because I am dark,
for the sun has gazed on me.
My mother’s sons were angry with me;
they made me take care of the vineyards.
I have not taken care of my own vineyard.
Song of Songs 1:6

Observation: The Song of Songs is a metaphor between a man (Yahweh) and a woman (those who love Yahweh). There are several themes that occur, such as the times the woman needs to seek the man, and other times the man calls the woman to join him out in nature. One of the themes is that the woman is someone who works. She is not a noble woman who sits around, but a common woman. Furthermore, often others treat her poorly. In this case, her brothers make her work out in their vineyard, so that her skin isn't soft and pale like the skin of noble women, but is tanned marking her as a laborer for others to see her as such.

However, when this theme comes up - of believers as those who have to work diligently for what they get in the world - we see that the Lord's response is often ... well, come work with me then and I will honor you. In this section, the woman follows up her comments about vineyards with an inquiry about where she should pasture her goats. The man responds by telling her to come pasture them near his tent, where he tends to his sheep. There, he will honor her tanned skin with fine jewelry. So as the woman works two outdoor jobs, the man invites her to partake in company, with rewards, in the shade.

That said, the most interesting part of the work in the vineyard is why the woman does it. She doesn't do it to produce wine ... in fact, her own vineyard suffers while she works. She does it because ... others make her work. There may even be an implication that they force her to labor so they have life a little easier. They are stronger than her and instead of using that strength in a positive manner to work, they use it to intimidate their sister into working while they work less. They are angry with the woman - for seemingly no reason - which puts this dynamic in motion.

Application: Being a Christian involves work. It isn't easy. In fact, there are times when being faithful to the Lord is harder than not being faithful. There are times when simply being faithful to the Lord makes non-believers angry, and they will make life harder on us. They don't do so as a punishment or as retaliation, but simply because of who we are.

I know there are places in the world, and even in the U.S., where Christians are a majority group. However, even in those places, they are being pressured regarding their beliefs. I continue to work in the fields, and there have been times when I have been criticized and been forced to work harder simply because others don't like what I believe.

I hope that, in my new job, I'll find a place to take my flocks near to the Lord's tent. Despite hard work, I hope I'll be able to find time in the Lord's kind and refreshing presence every day. I hope I will carry the markings of someone who works, but does so in the name of the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, may I find myself near your tent today. Help me to work well, make progress, perform in a manner that brings earthly success for the benefit of others, so I can honor you as my true master. Amen.