Skills to make the frills
“See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you…” Exodus 31:2-6
The LORD directed Moses to arrange the tabernacle; he gifted these men to build it. Their gifts matched their calling. There exists no calling without a gift to match. Many have felt called to marry a certain someone—and may have even told them quite plainly so!—but have not been gifted to win the elusive heart. Alas! the pain and misery of missing our true callings for our own ideas of what they should be.
Well, there was no question about what these men were supposed to be doing. They were good at it. Mark the source of their skill: “I have filled him with the Spirit of God” (v. 3). These were spiritual gifts, not natural abilities. Whatever natural ability they possessed was not only improved, but lifted, and transformed, by the Spirit of God.
No wonder, when we consider their great task. They have to build God’s tent! With what skill must the gold be hammered, the curtains woven, the breastplate ornamented! Every detail has divine meaning; all must be executed with divine enablement. God was with them, and with their skill. Their tools taught them marvelous things! And piece by glorious piece the tabernacle was built.
Is it not the same for you and I? Are we not all of us building God’s temple, stone by living stone? Have we not received spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ? What has God made you good at? Ask the believers in your life how you have been used to bless them, and what area of service or teaching God has filled you with skill for. Above all things, seek the building up of the church, and know that the Spirit of God is with us and with our skills for the name of Jesus Christ and the glory of God.