Exodus 35:30 – 35 “Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship, to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut gemstones for settings, and to carve wood, so that he may be a master of every artistic craft.
And the LORD has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and as weavers—as artistic designers of every kind of craft.”
Bezalel means “in the shadow/protection of God.” Oholiab means “the tent of the Father.” Putting the names of these two men together, God has called two men who are under His protection to create the Tent/Tabernacle of the Father. Wow! When the parents of those men first named those boy babies, they never anticipated the significance those names were going to assume. But God already knew these men from the womb and God was already gifting those boy babies with incredible hand – eye coordination and skills beyond their parents’ wildest expectations.
Look at all the crafts these men have mastered: Bezalel can “design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut gemstones for settings, and to carve wood, so that he may be a master of every artistic craft.” Both men are experts in “all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and as weavers—as artistic designers of every kind of craft.” And as if this weren’t enough, both men have also been gifted with the ability to teach others.
APPLICATION: Not only are these guys skilled craftsmen, but they are also gifted teachers. What a combination!
I have been a teacher for most of my life. As a professional teacher, I taught Junior High General Science for one year. Once I entered medical school and surgery residency, there were always presentations and rounds. These days, I teach nurses, medical students, and physician assistants as I work in our mission hospital. But anybody who thinks teaching is easy should think again! Teaching forces you to learn your subject matter very thoroughly, to think about the “why” and the “how.” If you are demonstrating a hand skill, you must make certain that you go through the steps very carefully, giving clear explanations for each step. I frequently draw little diagrams on the backs of prescription blanks to illustrate complicated problems for students and for patients and their families. I love to teach for the “AHA!” moments – those moments when the person whom you are teaching suddenly understands the point you are trying to make and then asks intelligent questions.
As a teacher, I also struggle with an additional problem: my American accent. The English those around me have learned is British English; my accent can make what I say incomprehensible. The good side of this is that I have been forced to learn to communicate in tribal languages to make my points clear.
What do you think Bezalel and Oholiab thought when God singled them out? I’m afraid that my first response would have been “HUH? Who? Me?” But God knew these men intimately; He knew the skills He had given them. It’s possible that Bezalel and Oholiab didn’t even realize how much they could accomplish until they began to work on the Tabernacle and to supervise others.
Do you realize that God not only knows your name, but He also knows all the skills and abilities that He has given you? God knows more about you than you know about yourself. True story: F. M. was a missionary in Ghana for nearly thirty years, coming to Ghana in 1947. F. M. asked to be sent to an English – speaking country because he was certain that he could never learn tribal languages. Little did our friend realize that God had gifted him with the ability to learn languages and to identify with the local people. Before our friend left the mission field, he was FLUENT in seven of the major languages spoken in Northern Ghana. Our friend had even learned to play some of the local instruments.
God has a wonderful work for each of us to do. Many times, we have no idea what that work is, or we feel unqualified and argue ourselves out of even trying. But if God is leading you to do something, take the first step! Like Bezalel and Oholiab, like our friend F. M., you might find that as you go along, God gifts you with remarkable abilities far beyond your expectations.
PRAYER: Father God, there are those reading this who are limiting themselves. They feel that they are not good enough, not bright enough, not smart enough, or not skilled enough to accomplish great things. But You are the One who calls. You are the One who gives men and women skills. Lord, speak to their hearts and open their eyes so that they will see how much You love them and how much You want for them. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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