Do you have some favorite people in the Bible? One of mine is Bezalel. “Beza – who?” you ask. If you’ve read through the book of Exodus, you’ve seen his name but might not remember him. He didn’t give a speech or lead an army, but God gave Bezalel a super important job that would impact His people for generations. I did a study of Bezalel in my first book Seeking the Lord, so I’ll share the chapter on him in three posts. As you read, see if you can identify with Bezalel or if you know someone like him. It would be great to learn what you think in the comments section!
Bezalel – Serving God with His Hands – Part 1
Do you like to work with your hands? Making, fixing, or inventing things? Do you think such skills are important to God? Well let’s consider a man who will show us how to seek the Lord through working and using your talents. There are a number of people who will identify with him. There’s no record of him giving a speech, leading a Bible study, or sparking a revival, but his actions show he had a heart for God. Does this describe you? Yet, this man is a pivotal figure in Bible history, and maybe by following his example, you may be a pivotal figure in church history. Who is he? Bezalel. Let’s investigate this craftsman who gave his hands to God.
When the Lord gave Moses the Ten Commandments, He also gave instructions for the tabernacle of worship. However, Moses did not build it, Bezalel did. Let’s look at him from three points of view.
1. Bezalel was called.
Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.” (Exodus 31:1-2)
God told Moses this man would do the work to help His people worship and have a physical reminder of the Lord’s presence for hundreds of years. Notice God called him by name. Does God know your name? You say, “Of course, He knows everything.” But the question is really, does the Lord have a reason to know your name? Is there something about your life that would make the Almighty call you for a conversation or a task? Not are you famous among men, but are you famous in Heaven for a heart that loves and obeys God? Maybe not yet, but through seeking you can be.
You may have noticed that the people we have seen seeking the Lord have some things in common – 1) they obeyed the Lord, which revealed, 2) hearts that loved Him. Thus, God could trust them with the big tasks they are famous for on Earth. So again, are you obeying God and loving Him, such that He can trust you with a mission? We can see the trust that was placed in Bezalel.
2. Bezalel was filled.
God said, “And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.” (Exodus 31:3)
God gave His Holy Spirit to Bezalel. That meant He came to live inside him. Do you think the Holy Spirit would come into a heart that was not receptive or seeking God? Christians should understand the Holy Spirit living in us fulfills Jesus promise,
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. (Acts 1:8a)
Stop and think, do you realize what your body is?
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19)
If you were the Holy Spirit, would you want to live inside you? What kind of dwelling are you? Is your mind a garbage dump, or is your heart filled with weeds and bitterness? Perhaps you need to ask the Lord to “clean house” (Corinthians 6:11) so the Holy Spirit can enjoy living in you. Back to Bezalel, why did the Holy Spirit bring him wisdom understanding and knowledge?
3. Bezalel had a purpose.
God was with him “to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.” (Exodus 31:4-5)
You mean the Lord cares about creativity and skilled work? Yes, and He trusted Bezalel with amazing talent, skills, and craftsmanship abilities. With such skills he could be famous, especially in the ancient world. Bezalel could have said, “Look what I can make!” Yet, God knew Bezalel would use the talents for noble purposes such as doing His work and providing for his family. Friend, the Lord has endowed each of us with talents and abilities just as He did the people of Moses day.(Exodus 31:6) Can we be trusted to use them for His glory and to serve God? Can we be trusted with talents at an even greater level?
Moses introduced Bezalel to the people with a public commission.
And Moses said to the children of Israel, “See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel…and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship.” (Exodus 35:30-31)
He was to do three things – work, teach, and partner.(Exodus 35:32-34) These tasks match our duties as Christians: a) do the work of Jesus, b) tell others about Him, and c) partner with other Christians for support and help. Even those of you who are not famous evangelists telling people on the street to repent, can follow this model. First, do what the Lord asked you to do. Second, show someone else how to do it. Third, partner with others – no speeches involved, no cameras, no stage required.
At the end of Bezalel’s commissioning ceremony, Moses said,
Bezalel…and every gifted artisan in whom the Lord has put wisdom and understanding, to know how to do all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, shall do according to all that the Lord has commanded. (Exodus 36:1)
He basically said, “Get to work!” If you are a Christian, God has already commissioned you. Have you start working yet? How are you serving God? What are you waiting for?
As soon as Bezalel started working the Lord supplied the physical things he needed.
And they received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of making the sanctuary. (Exodus 36:3a)
Why is this important? It reminds us that God will give everything that is required to do His work. He trusted Bezalel with an offering of supplies AFTER he set out to work. He gave Moses the plans for the tabernacle to give to Bezalel. He gave Bezalel the wisdom to build it. Now you see God also provided the resources. So, don’t worry about not having what you need to obey God. Start obeying and watch Him provide! However, don’t expect the Lord to trust you with something (or more of it) if you are sitting around doing nothing. Would you give money to build a house to a builder was not ready, had no plans, no permits, no equipment, and no arrangement with subcontractors? That would be foolish. Well, give God credit for being smart, too!
What did Bezalel make? How did he do? We’ll find out next time!