God's Spirit Plus Skilled Craftsmen [Exodus 31]

1Now 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"I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, 4to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, 5and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship.

 6"And behold, I Myself have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the hearts of all who are skillful I have put skill, that they may make all that I have commanded you: 7the tent of meeting, and the ark of testimony, and the mercy seat upon it, and all the furniture of the tent, 8the table also and its utensils, and the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, and the altar of incense, 9the altar of burnt offering also with all its utensils, and the laver and its stand, 10the woven garments as well, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, with which to carry on their priesthood; 11the anointing oil also, and the fragrant incense for the holy place, they are to make them according to all that I have commanded you."

 

This passage has been important in my husband Dick's life so I am going to let him speak this morning...

 

"God took pains to talk about who should be making all these items, and he emphasized that it is the work of a skilled craftsman. I have used that passage on several occasions to point out the virtues of working with your hands, a skill that is increasingly lost to an information-age cadre that considers “work” the ability to manipulate a keyboard and think through a computer screen. God’s description of how to build the tabernacle reinforces His original design for Adam to work the Garden of Eden, and for the larger design: that of creative work being a part of how a man reflects of God’s character."


Lord, we praise You that You gave Your Spirit alongside the skill You instilled in these men to make a beautiful place for You to dwell with Your people. Thank You that You graciously give Your detailed plan to Your people.  Thank You for giving Your Spirit  "in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship." Cause us to trust Your Spirit for wisdom and understanding as we use the skills You have given us.

 


Verna McCrillis, 5/24/2010