Bible Readings
Reading 59: Yahweh equips the people for their jobs
Read Exodus 35:30–36:7.
The Tabernacle that Yahweh instructed Moses and the people to build was a big project which required people with skill. So God Himself provided the skills needed.
He chose a man called Bezalel who was from the tribe of Judah to be the head craftsman. And God filled him with His own Spirit, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gave Bezalel skill, intelligence and knowledge over all kinds of craft and materials. With the Holy Spirit’s enablement, Bezalel had the ability to work with gold, silver, bronze, stone, wood and fabric. He himself could do the fine work of an engraver, designer, embroiderer and weaver.
God also gave Bezalel a helper, Oholiab. Oholiab was given mastery over all the work of engraving, designing, embroidering and weaving. Yahweh also ensured that both men were able to teach others well in order for all the different aspects of the Tabernacle construction to be done well. In addition, Yahweh also gave others in the community the different skills needed for the work.
While God chose Bezalel and Oholiab to direct the construction work, the rest of the people were free to volunteer to help. Both men trained all those who came to contribute to the work.
Building everything that God required for the Tabernacle required a lot of materials. Recall that when the people left Egypt, they left with a lot of materials and wealth, including gold and silver. Out of their own free will and generosity, the people brought all that was needed for the construction project each morning. In fact, the people were so generous that they gave all that was needed and more, to the point where Moses had to call for a halt to the contributions.
In this way, Yahweh ensured that the people were fully equipped with both skill, people and materials to build the Tabernacle.
When God called the people to this job, He ensured that the people had what they needed to get the work done. God set them up for success. But the people also had a cooperative heart. They wanted to be part of the work and they wanted to contribute in whatever way they could. Those with resources and materials brought them till there was more than enough. Those with skill and ability in craftsmanship volunteered their time and work. They knew they were doing this so that the place where they could worship Yahweh, the Tabernacle, could be built.
As we think about the different kinds of roles and jobs necessary in the Christian community today, do we have the same heart of generosity in volunteering our time and resources so that Yahweh can be worshipped? While Yahweh did not ask the church to build a Tabernacle, He still has lots of jobs for us.
Are we contributing in any way to making disciples of all nations?
Are we involved in the lives of Christians and non-Christians, showing God’s love?
Are we helping with our time and resources where God is giving us the opportunity to contribute and play a role?
And as we think about the skill and ability that God gave Bezalel and Ohioliab, think also, is there some skill and ability that God has given us that would be a blessing to others?
Let’s examine our hearts and pray and ask God where He’d like us to play a part and help and be a blessing.