Exodus 35:30-35: a reflection

30Moses said to the children of Israel, “Behold, the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 31He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of workmanship; 32and to make skillful works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, 33in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of skillful workmanship. 34He has put in his heart that he may teach, both he and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. 35He has filled them with wisdom of heart to work all kinds of workmanship, of the engraver, of the skillful workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of those who do any workmanship, and of those who make skillful works.

When the tabernacle needs to be built, God does not only call preachers and priests. He calls an artisan. Bezalel is named, and Moses says God has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and skill in every kind of craft, to work in gold and silver and bronze, to cut stones and carve wood. The Spirit who hovered over creation now equips a craftsman to make beautiful things for God.

This is worth sitting with. We sometimes imagine the Spirit's gifts as only the dramatic or obviously spiritual. Here the Spirit fills a person with artistic skill, the ability to design and weave and engrave. And God gives Bezalel and Oholiab something more: a heart to teach, so that their skill would be passed on to others. Craftsmanship, done for God and shared with others, is treated as a genuine work of the Spirit.

Whatever ability you have, your skill with your hands, your eye for design, your competence at some ordinary craft, can be offered to God as Bezalel's was. You do not have to be in a pulpit to serve him with what you can do. Ask God to fill your work with his Spirit, to make it beautiful and useful for his purposes, and consider whom you might teach, passing on your skill so that others can serve him too.

Lord, you filled Bezalel with your Spirit to work in gold and wood and stone, and you gave him a heart to teach. Take the skills you have given me and fill them with your Spirit, that my ordinary work might be beautiful and useful to you. Show me whom to teach, so that what I can do becomes a gift passed on for your glory. Amen.