Beautiful for God

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Opening Prayer

Lord, You are the Eternal Word. In a world saturated with words, make me attentive to Your Word today.

Read Exodus 35:30-36:7

^[30] Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, ^[31] and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills- ^[32] to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, ^[33] to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. ^[34] And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. ^[35] 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 weavers-all of them skilled workers and designers. ^[1] So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the LORD has commanded.” ^[2] Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work. ^[3] They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. ^[4] So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing ^[5] and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done.” ^[6] Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more, ^[7] because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.

Meditate

“Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold. Take my intellect and use every power as you shall choose” (Frances Ridley Havergal, 1836-1879). We do tend to sing and pray way beyond what we actually do!

Think Further

In addition to their own artistic gifts and abilities, Bezalel and Oholiab have “the ability to teach others” (34). One rabbi comments, “There are many scholars who are incapable of teaching”–contrasting this with the ability of these two craftsmen to instruct, organize, delegate and supervise the building of the Tabernacle.

The Tabernacle will be a dwelling place for the presence of God, a witness to the devotion and worship of Israel and the key reference point in the relationship between the Israelites and their Redeemer, so its construction demands the finest creative activity, the most expensive materials, the most dedicated workforce and the best possible organization of labor. The intricate designs, careful layout, balancing of colors, textures, fabrics and materials will produce an environment fit for a king and an atmosphere where reverence for God and awe in his presence will be a natural response to the surroundings. Nothing less than genius is needed to design not just an ordinary tent, but the house of God!

Do we pay as much attention to the ordering of our lives as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19,20)? We live in a body-conscious world where our physical appearance is under scrutiny and we are encouraged to “clean up, paint up and fix up” our appearance. We are encouraged to eat healthy diets, but we do not always give our spiritual lives such planning and attention. Yet, if we were to sit down today to plan our careers and ministries, set goals for our personal and family lives, and organize ourselves and others to achieve “something beautiful for God” (Malcolm Muggeridge, 1903-1990) as Mother Teresa did, how much notice would be attracted, and would God be given more glory?

Apply

List your God-given gifts and skills. How are these being used? What do you look for from others to serve God in your team? What is your grand design?

Closing prayer

Merciful Father, forgive my sometimes pretenses of devotion. Other people may be impressed, but You are not fooled. I ask and strive for sincerity in my words. Use me for Your glory.

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