I don’t know why, but in his homily Labor Day: The Ethics of Work, James P. Eckman, has left out the Bible’s most important passage regarding labor:
But the king of Egypt said, "Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their labor? Get back to your work!" Then Pharaoh said, "Look, the people of the land are now numerous, and you are stopping them from working." That same day Pharaoh gave this order to the slave drivers and foremen in charge of the people: "You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; let them go and gather their own straw. But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don't reduce the quota. They are lazy; that is why they are crying out, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.' Make the work harder for the men so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies." Exodus 5:5-9
Indeed, on Labor Day, reading Professor Eckman’s sermonette seemed more to me like a script Pharaoh's slave drivers might have compelled Israelite foremen read to the Children of Israel each and every day of the year, or what could have been recited to Negros by a Plantation Preacher from the Slaveholder’s back pocket.
In the United States the first Monday in September is set aside in recognition of the working Americans by whose good faith, strong work ethic, loyalty & lifelong effort created & sustains the Wealth of Nations. Shamefully, in the United States & around the world working people are often not fairly compensated for the wealth they have produced in their time of life.
The Pharaoh of these latter days—the titans of finance & the gods of material wealth—to whom many, even with Jesus’ name on their lips, bend their knees & bow their heads, are in dire need of the ministry of rebuke; but whence the Moses to answer the call?
Surely, on Labor Day, this nation’s economic elite deserve more than the 8 words: “Employers should treat employees with respect and fairness.”
Professor Eckman ought to know bet

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