The Lord anticipated every need for the tabernacle's construction including those who would have to put it together:
Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers (Exodus 35:30-35).
What can we learn from these verses?
- God chose the chief architects, Bezalel and Oholiab. It was a calling, not a job.
- Those two men had wisdom and knowledge of their work as well as skill which was all from the Spirit of God.
- They were both designers and artisans.
- They both had the ability to teach others what they did.
It is almost as if the Lord gives you a gift but then expects you to pass His gift along to others. If you can teach someone how to do what you do, it is not simply because you have mastered your craft. It is because God has empowered and equipped you to teach as well as to be creative. Therefore, if you have the ability to teach, you should consider it a calling and find opportunities to do so. Do you see the insight you have into your craft as much of a gift from God as the ability to create? Are you a good steward not only of your gift but also your chances to equip and encourage other artists? Do you see other artists as competition or partners in the creative process?
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