Exodus 31:1-11
Artisans for Building the Tabernacle (Exodus 35:30—36:1)
1 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, 5 in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.
6 “And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you: 7 the tabernacle of meeting, the ark of the Testimony and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furniture of the tabernacle— 8 the table and its utensils, the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, the altar of incense, 9 the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the laver and its base— 10 the garments of ministry, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, to minister as priests, 11 and the anointing oil and sweet incense for the holy place. According to all that I have commanded you they shall do.”
God gave skills and knowledge to wisely and expertly accomplish the craftsmanship of the tabernacle, the traveling temple of worship. It is written that God Himself called the artisans by name to do this work, calling out Bezalel and Aholiab specifically while also mentioning that there were many other artisans in addition to these two. The first was filled with God’s Spirit and given wisdom, in understanding, and knowledge to design adorning works of the temples with precious metals, cut jewels, carved wood, and other materials in expert workmanship. The second was described as having been given wisdom along with others to design and craft the tabernacle with its mercy seat over the Ark of the Testimony and all the furniture of the tabernacle as well. They even designed and made the altar and laver for washing and all the holy garments of Aaron and the priests for ministry and sweet incense with anointing oil in the completed temple. All God had commanded, they accomplished. He has given we who are in Christ now more than just spiritual gifts as well; we each have different skills and abilities given by God to work with our minds and hands to create things that honor Him and help us to worship, whether works of art or construction or even music to worship with. May we use them all for His glory, honor, and praise as we apply the abilities we are given in willing obedience to do the best with what we each have been given as we reflect on the image of the creative God in us who fashioned the universe and world (Genesis 1:31, Isaiah 42:5, 45:18, Ephesians 3:9, Revelation 10:6) as we know it by His own hands. May we then create according to the works and abilities He has given us (Ephesians 2:10) to honor and glorify our Creator.
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