Ever seen someone and thought, “Man, THEY have a gift!” Their talent oozes easily out of them as they work seemingly effortlessly. Or have you ever listened to a speech and thought he was blessed with that ability? Don’t forget about yourself, God hand-knit you together. You have been formed by God Almighty, so ask yourself “What are some gifts that God has given me?”
- The people of Israel have been delivered in a mighty way after watching miraculous plagues unfold before them.
- Moses met with God to receive the 10 commandments, narrating them back to the people.
- Some Israelites died after being punished with a plague.
- Execution of the blueprints Moses dictated was now in order.
At the end of Exodus we find the tabernacle plans have been laid and it is time to create it. This is no ordinary tent they are making. It is ornate. Detailed. Picturesque.
The foundation of Who will rest in the tabernacle is understood as holy. They are an undeserving nation to be in His presence based on merit alone.
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Generosity and willingness…
We see an overabundance of generosity among the Israelites (some, no doubt, a likely result from the Egyptian loot–Ex. 12:35-36) to offer up their:
- gold,
- silver,
- bronze,
- blue, purple, scarlet yarn,
- fine linen,
- goat hair,
- ram skins dyed red,
- hides of sea cows,
- acacia wood,
- olive oil,
- spices,
- onyx stones, and
- other gems.
There is, then, a calling out for skilled workers: builders, embroiderers, designers, craftsmen, etc. Not only are we seeing here an offering, but a willing offering of things, skills, and time. It is noted many times that those who were willing were the ones who fulfilled the call.
Special giftings…
The story reintroduces and focuses again on Bezalel and Oholiab in chapter 35. The gifts that God has given were already known by Moses (Exodus 31:1-11) but here the Israelites hear about their special gifting.
Then Moses said to the people of Israel, “See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every skilled craft. And he has inspired him to teach, both him and Oholiab the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver—by any sort of workman or skilled designer.
Exodus 35:30-35, emphasis mine
These guys were talented! Not only did they have a creative gifting, but the gifts that God gave them included teaching… they were right-brained and left-brained in all artistic and creative skill sets. That is incredible to read through the diverse giftings of these guys.
Gifts that God has given…
How often do we negate the gifts that God has given us? Do we recognize our abilities and talents as a gift from Him? If we take these chapters in a row, we see God is clarifying this first to Moses, and then for the Israelites: God is the giver of gifts and talents.
You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill….
Exodus 28:3a
And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you.
Exodus 31:6b
[H]e has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship….
Exodus 35:31
Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the Lord has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary….
Exodus 36:1a
Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whose mind the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work.
Exodus 36:2
The Israelites were gifted with talents galore, but they were also willing to use those for Him. Does that translate back to you with your giftings?
When you consider the gifts that God has given you, are you turning around and using those for His glory?
What example are you showing the world with your God given gifts?
This season of life in America has brought many to a screeching halt. It is a time where the threat of a plague has put nations in a standstill, history books will write about this. I was reminded of how a local businesswoman recently imitated this mindset. She was feeling unsettled, so she paused, considered her situation, and used her natural creative talents to make Biblical jewelry for those around her. Not only are her talents going to remind others to look to God in a time of uncertainty, but they also gave her that downtime making them for her to focus on God and prayer. What a gift!
How will you use the gifts that God has given you today for His glory?
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I’ve always loved that passage about Bezalel and Oholiab and the others who worked on the tabernacle. I love that God can use anyone with any skill if they’ll yield it back to Him.
My tendency is to value and appreciate the gifts of others over my own. It’s a lesson in God’s sovereignty to receive humbly the array of gifts God has assigned!
I have really enjoyed these posts. I always find reading the Old Testament kind of difficult. I love how you break it all down. I also love the story of the lady making jewelry. Thanks so much for sharing!