Reading: Exodus 31:1-11

God commands Israel to build the holy tabernacle and its contents. This requires many special skills to work in gold, silver, bronze, cutting jewels for setting, carving wood (vs 4, 5), and other workmanship such as weaving, embroidery and sewing. Where can Moses find such talented people? The Israelites are slaves and farmers with no artistic skills. They are in the desert with no specialist equipment. Nobody has ever made a holy tabernacle.

But in vs 2-3 God says “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge.” The Holy Spirit gives Bezalel, and other artisans, wisdom and skills to rightly understand the Lord’s instructions, and ensure that each part of the tabernacle reflects God’s glory and inspires the people to rightly worship God. Bezalel must also design and make each element, or supervise his helpers to do so. He must ensure it all fits together properly and that the entire tabernacle can be dismantled and transported. The Holy Spirit is their teacher and continues to instruct them till it is all successfully completed. What great and wonderful power God has!

All wisdom comes from God. All the skills we need for daily life are given by the Holy Spirit. We highly regard special artistic talents, but we must remember that even common talents like cooking, cleaning and speaking are the Holy Spirit’s gifts to honour God and serve our neighbour. Therefore we must use our abilities to a high standard and for the right purposes. Furthermore we should thank and honour God for our abilities, and not rob God by praising ourselves or others.

Key text: Exodus 31:2-3 “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.”

Question: We must use all our abilities to a high standard and for the right purposes. Why? How do you do it?