Playing My Part
Opening Prayer
All-knowing God, I pray that I will recognize and use the gifts and skills that You have put in me.
Read Exodus 31: 1-11
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. 6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you: 7 the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent— 8 the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, 9 the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand— 10 and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, 11 and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you.”
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How has God equipped you to participate in his work? What practical, creative and unique skills has God woven into your life?Two men are identified in this passage. The first is Bezalel, whose name means “in the shadow of God’s protection).” His assistant was Oholiab, whose name means “tent of the father.” They were skilled artisans tasked with making everything needed for the Tabernacle. Often in the church today we often honor those gifted in preaching and music, but we also often ignore those whose gifting is more practical, or even aesthetic.
It took artistic skill and wisdom to make everything as God wanted it to be, and these men were playing a vital role in the worship life of Israel. They were working on the tent of the Father, and they did so in the shadow of his protection!
In fact, God not only blessed their work, but he also filled them with his Spirit. This resulted in greater knowledge, understanding, wisdom and all kinds of practical skills. The Spirit of God worked in them so that God would be glorified. In effect, they were participating in the very life of God: they were joining the Spirit in something he is always involved in—glory-giving worship within the Trinity!
Apply
We can easily fall into worship as a duty toward a distant God. Study passages in God’s Word to find out what true worship means.
Closing prayer
God, please weave my unique skills into the life of the church, joining me with the glory-giving fellowship of the Trinity!
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