Exodus 39:1-5: a reflection

1Of the blue, purple, and scarlet, they made finely worked garments for ministering in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron, as the LORD commanded Moses. 2He made the ephod of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. 3They beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in with the blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen, the work of the skillful workman. 4They made shoulder straps for it, joined together. It was joined together at the two ends. 5The skillfully woven band that was on it, with which to fasten it on, was of the same piece, like its work: of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, as the LORD commanded Moses.

This passage describes the making of the priestly garments, the ephod of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet, worked by skilled hands. The craftsmen beat the gold into thin plates, cut it into threads, and wove it into the fabric, the work of the skillful workman, every detail carried out with care as the LORD commanded Moses. Real artistry and skill were poured into these garments for God's service, beauty crafted for worship.

Notice that God's work called for skill offered wholeheartedly. The garments were not thrown together carelessly; skilled artisans gave their finest craft, their trained hands and careful work, to make something worthy of the holy service. Their skill was a gift they offered to God, poured into the details of the work he had given them to do. Craftsmanship itself became an act of devotion.

That dignifies the offering of our skill and work to God. Whatever ability we have, craft, artistry, competence, careful work, can be offered to God and used in his service, done well as unto him. There is honor in doing our work skillfully and carefully as an offering to God, whether it is seen by others or not. Do not despise the offering of good, skilled work. Whatever you are able to do, do it well, as unto the Lord, pouring care into the details as these craftsmen did. Your skill, offered wholeheartedly to God and done with care, is itself a form of worship.

Lord, the skilled craftsmen poured their finest artistry into the priestly garments, working the gold and fine linen with care, offering their skill as an act of devotion in your service. Help me offer my own work and skill to you in the same way. Whatever ability I have, help me use it well, doing my work carefully and skillfully as unto you, whether or not it is seen by others. Let me not despise the offering of good, honest, careful work. Teach me that craftsmanship done wholeheartedly for you is itself a form of worship. Receive the work of my hands, offered to you with care.