Building The Temple
December 26, 2019
Commentary
God regards all the skills of His people, not just those with theological or ministerial abilities. Our tendency is to regard only those who are upfront and in leadership roles. God gave Bezalel and Oholiab Spirit-filled abilities in artistic craftsmanship (vv. 1-5). In other words, He identified two men by name as specially chosen and divinely endued with ability, or Spirit-filled, to make all He had revealed to Moses (Ex. 28:3). None of the craftsmen were left untouched but divinely bestowed with understanding in the intricacy of their work. They were called “gifted artisans,” suggesting they previously had developed the skill. They were to make all that has been prescribed (Ex. 25-30).
By His Spirit, God enabled other people for tasks needed to accomplish what He commanded the nation to do, which was to build the tabernacle (vv. 7-11). This involved the ability to make a variety of needed items, to make them with excellence and beauty, and to teach others these skills (Ex. 35:34). God gives the special ability to all skilled workers and provides them with the ability to fulfill His purposes (Phil. 2:13).
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work” (I Cor. 12:4-6).
Application
I know that God has given me special gifts and abilities to do certain things in this life, and I need to be committed to doing them, as long as He makes it possible for my mind and body to function. This may change as we go different seasons of life.
Exodus 31:1– 11 (NET)
1 The Lord spoke to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God in skill, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, 4 to make artistic designs for work with gold, with silver, and with bronze, 5 and with cutting and setting stone, and with cutting wood, to work in all kinds of craftsmanship. 6 Moreover, I have also given him Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, and I have given ability to all the specially skilled, that they may make everything I have commanded you: 7 the tent of meeting, the ark of the testimony, the atonement lid that is on it, all the furnishings of the tent, 8 the table with its utensils, the pure lampstand with all its utensils, the altar of incense, 9 the altar for the burnt offering with all its utensils, the large basin with its base, 10 the woven garments, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons, to minister as priests, 11 the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the Holy Place. They will make all these things just as I have commanded you.”
Illustration: A Talented Chariot Driver
You cannot choose your calling. Your calling chooses you. You have been blessed with special skills that are yours alone. Use them, whatever they may be, and forget about wearing another’s hat. A talented chariot driver can win gold and renown with his skills. Let him pick figs and he would starve.
– Og Mandino – The greatest salesman in the world