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Is working on the computer servile work?

CryOfALion

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The Hebrew word for servile work is "abodah," which means laborious work. If you are actually working by using the computer - as in, what you are doing goes toward your job responsibilities - then that is servile work.

If you are playing Starcraft, or surfing the net that wouldn't qualify as servile (but, it wouldn't be an honorable convocation to God.)

The point of the Sabbath was to get the Hebrews out of the slave mentality of working every single day. The emphasis is on actual labor and work. You can "do work" as in using energy to do something, but it isn't to be servile. When Christ healed, that was considered work to the Pharisees because they missed the point. They had more restrictions in the Sabbath than God put on us, and they were teaching other people the same restrictions.
 
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CryOfALion

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I am sure - the Hebrew is specific. And, this is what I meant before: these "rules and classifications" of allowed work is the same mistake the Pharisees made - which is why they accused Him. Chris even told them about Daniel picking ears of corn; that would be considered servile to the Pharisees.

The Sabbath is not about creating a prison for a day where you are afraid to turn off your lights, or get something to eat. It is a rest day. As I said, people have complicated the Sabbath - putting more restrictions than God gave us.
 
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pdudgeon

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you make a very valid point in your description of the way the work is done, as well as the need for a day set aside for rest; both mental rest and physical rest.

We are so used to working that often we work more or longer hours than we should, and we pay for that in not having enough time for our family life, or not enough time for sufficient sleep or rest.
Of course the work that fills our hours is important, but over the long time span of our lives it's importance is fleeting compared to the importance of our families, or treating our body with respect and care so that we don't burn out from exhaustion.

The problem is never that there's not enough work to do---the problem is found in the importance we ourselves (or others who are over us) assign to that work.
 
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