the gifts of bezalel

When God instructed Moses to build the tabernacle in Exodus 35, he provided a talented man named Bezalel to guide the project. He was a gifted man who could work with gold, silver, and bronze. He was a stonecutter, a wood carver, an engraver, and a weaver.

Have you ever known someone like that? My dad used to work with a guy like Bezalel. He was a skilled auto mechanic, a talented carpenter, an expert plumber, and a proficient electrician. He could do it all.

I’m not much of a Bezalel. I’m not the guy to call if you need help crafting sliver or gold. I’d be pretty helpless as a stonecutter and would probably be the worst wood carver in history. You don’t want me anywhere near a construction site, and whenever I try to fix a plumbing issue I cause a flood.

On the other hand, there are some things I CAN do. If you need a sermon, or a wedding, or a funeral, then I’m your man. If you need a vision caster, or someone to do a dramatic monologue, or write a poem, I can do it, but you stick a hammer and nails in my hand all I’m going to build is a mess.

I’m reminded of Bezalel as I watch the live feed from our new church construction site. Today, they are putting shingles on the roof. They climb ladders to dizzying heights, carry heavy loads that would break my back, and work with precision and speed. God has given them the gifts necessary to do this kind of work.

I’m envious of the Bezalel’s of the world, until I remember that God gives us all gifts and abilities that can be used in His service. There are some things that I will never be able to do, and that’s okay. Because God always provides someone that can get the job done. For more information, join us Sunday as we unpack the story of Bezalel.