Introduction
Observation that men have more work related issues than women. As a generalisation, females are more relational and males more task-oriented. There are reasons for believing that this is not simply a cultural matter.
Genesis 2 and Man’s Closeness to Work
Adam, which literally means “red earth”, is created directly out of the ground. (2:7). Eve however is taken from the man (2:21- 22).
Adam, is named directly by God (2:20; 3:17), Eve is named by the man (2:23; 3:20).
Adam’s work is to “till and keep” the garden (2:15). The woman’s work is to assist the man as a partner (2:18)
The man is more directly tied to the earth and to work than the woman who is tied to the man. Both owe their origin to God.
Genesis 3 and the Judgement on Work
The judgement on woman, pain in childbirth, relates to the fruit of her relationship with the man from whom she has come (3:16).
The judgement on the man, toil and return to the dust, relates to the ground from which he has come.
Work, which in the end will fail man whose lot it is to return to dust, speaks to the conscience, through labour, toil, struggle etc. of inevitable death under the wrath of God.
This sphere therefore is the place where men particularly attempt to overcome the curse and judgement of God. Hence the thrust to justify oneself, valid oneself, succeed, gain esteem etc. in the realm of work. Ambition, workaholics, depression and so on permeate the arena of men at work.
Jesus as the Redeemer of Men’s Work
In becoming flesh (John 1:14), Jesus took up the dust of the cursed earth and embraced a life of work within this sphere of struggle (Mark 6:2 –3). He did this free from all the bondages associated with our work and fully pleased the Father (John 5:17,30). His most immediate relationship was not with the earth that speaks to fallen humanity of judgement (Gen 3:19; Job 7:21; 10:9; 17:16; 20:11; 21:26; 34:15; 40:13; Ps 7:5; 22:15,29, 90:3; 104:29; Ecc 3:20; 12:7; 1 Cor 15:27) but with the Father (John 14:10).
At the cross Jesus takes the fullness of the judgement of God and triumphs over all evil so that today there is “glorified dust” (his body) at the right hand of God.
In conquering death as the judgement of God he has conquered that which drives men to validate and justify themselves in the realm of work.
Victory over Men’s Work Problems
Jesus, who has redeemed the world, and so the world of work, lives within us. Our most immediate relationship is no longer with the earth from which we were created but with him who dwells in us. By the Spirit, who applies the life of Christ to our lives, we can conquer the realm of work as a site of temptation and sin. Our identity is no longer drawn from a world created and fallen, but from the new creation which is in Christ and in which we share (2 Cor 5:17).