Using God-Given Skills
Opening Prayer
Lord, help me to use the talent and ability You have given me to glorify You as Creator.
Read EXODUS 31:1–11
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.
Meditate
“From thee all skill and science flow, all pity, care, and love, all calm and courage, faith and hope: O pour them from above!” (Charles Kingsley, 1819–1875).
Think Further
Without careful planning as to the range of skills needed and the choice of appropriate personnel, plans are either mere words and pictures or they are woefully inadequate. It is easy to consider positions and tasks, but without attention to small detail, irritating flaws soon become evident.
So here God chooses the overseers and other “skilled workers” (2,6). Whether working in metals, precious stones, wood or cloth (with its weaving and sewing), or preparing “anointing oil and fragrant incense” (11), all are to be the best so that what is made is “just as I commanded you” (11). Amazingly, God not only chooses but equips. The first person in the Bible to be “filled with the Spirit” is Bezalel (2,3). He handles physical objects plus the coordination and overseeing of others. In Bible-speak, “spiritual” is not the opposite of “material” but of “fleshly,” i.e., merely human (1 Cor. 2,3). God gives “wisdom” (3) to Bezalel (the Hebrew hokmah is used to denote a wide range of life skills involving ability, understanding and discernment) and to “all the skilled workers” (6). Reading it word for word: “and into the heart [= mind] of everyone wise of heart [= mind] I have put wisdom” (John I. Durham, Word Biblical Commentary: Exodus). One way God gives the workers “ability” is that to Bezalel and Oholiab he “has given… the ability [“put into their heart”] to teach” (Exod. 35:34).
Doubtless, your attention is already focused on Christ’s provision of gifts for the building of the body of Christ, God’s dwelling (Rom. 12:3–8; Eph. 4:1–16). However, do not stop at the broad picture! God pays attention to details, so he provides for the rich variety of activities and projects of his people. Some people will be prominent, others seemingly minor, some are artistic designers, others craftsmen, but all are equipped by God.
Apply
Reflect on the people associated with you in the witness of the church. Thank God for the diverse abilities he gives by his Spirit.
Closing prayer
Lord, You have put into each of us the potential to make a positive contribution to Your kingdom. What would You have me do?
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