Double Trouble
For man is born for trouble, as sparks fly upward. Job 5:7 NASB
Trouble – “Don’t give me yours. I have enough of my own.” That’s right. Each one of us has enough trouble to last us all the days we live. It’s just part of being in this world. Don’t’ believe it? Try this. Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood.
Job never played at Madison Square Garden but he knew the tune.
Recently a friend who is no stranger to trouble pointed out something very important. We were born to a certain amount of trouble, but we have the option to add to it. In other words, everyone has his share. It is the divinely ordained method of producing faithfulness in a broken world. But our choices can increase the load along the way. Every choice has consequences. Some of those are built into the fabric of obedience. Some are the result of disobedience, but these are the unintended ones, the ones you and I didn’t have to experience, the ones we could have avoided if we left the Tree alone.
In Hebrew, the word “trouble” comes first. Ki-adam le’amai yoolad, “Yet man to trouble is born.” Don’t think this is just about calamity and anxiety. ʿāmal is the verb, “to labor.” This is not the Hebrew idea of work. That word is ‘avad. Work is associated with serve and worship. Work has nobility. Labor is connected with drudgery. “The root ʿāmal relates to the dark side of labor, the grievous and unfulfilling aspect of work. A biblical view of labor based on this word alone would be defective, but this aspect of work should be included in a full induction. Thus Moses uses this term to describe the frustration and struggle of the worker in this ephemeral, transitory world.”[1] When you work, you fulfill the purpose of God in your life. You might not enjoy worldly success but you do experience joy. You know that what you do makes a difference—to God and to others. But labor (trouble) is another story. Labor is slavery to the inevitable routine of living. Labor is unfulfilling because it has no end. The trouble you and I inherit at birth is the labor of staying alive, the daily grind, the continual demands. We all have it no matter what our social status. Even billionaires commit suicide. Life without ‘avad, the life of ʿāmal, is living hell.
And what you do about it now can add to the load. You can have “double trouble.” All it takes is the two things Paul notices in Romans 1: failure to acknowledge the sovereignty of God and ungratefulness. Here is the mathematics of trouble. Trouble is inversely proportional to Gratefulness. The more I see God in what I do, the more grateful I am for Him, the less trouble I will have. If, however, I don’t see God in my efforts and I am not grateful for what I have been given, then I’m likely to have double trouble.
Topical Index: trouble, ʿāmal, ‘avad, work, Job 5:7
[1] Allen, R. B. (1999). 1639 עָמָל. In R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer, Jr. & B. K. Waltke (Eds.), Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament.
What a good reminder today of the JOY that is found in work. I recall times that the provision of the LORD was apparent in very difficult circumstances, and the gratitude for His presence brought great joy.
Thank you, Skip.
I work in a field , which at times is very frustrating sometimes I feel like packing it in, then I remember to be thankful of the blessings that I have been given, my patients can’t do for themselves, so I do my best for them, and that gives me a sense of satisfaction , and thanks to YAH to his goodness am grateful for his understanding when I get frustrated
Are these then 3 non negotiable for living a trouble “less” life: a grateful heart, a teachable spirit, a physical work ethic?
Hard to imagine removing the extra trouble but NOT doing these things
Hi Skip and All,
“If I don’t see God in my efforts” is alone the process that starts trouble, which I am taking to be synonymous with labor or the monotony of the daily grind. Another term, Manic Monday.
This reflection is helpful to me as one who writes general articles for an online content mill. In my work, one can select orders from a work pool or turn them down. I have done both.
One eventually is evaluated and rated by another. Under these conditions it is up to me to continually see God involved in my efforts. He wakes us to work, he causes sleep to occur when appropriate. He also is beside us with every word, sentence, phrase, paragraph, conclusion, or aspect of the vocation we pursue.
God bless the collective here in our work!
David R