Doing God's Work

"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." Exodus 31:1-5

When people think of people gifted in work and ministry, I'm not sure Bezalel comes to mind.  I love the fact that the Holy Spirit filled him not for the purpose of preaching, prophesying, or speaking with tongues, but gave him wisdom and understanding to design, work with metals, cut stones, and carve wood.  His calling was just as important as Moses or Aaron his Creator gifted him with wisdom to work with his hands.  He did not have the privilege of wearing the ephod, but he was gifted to engrave and place the stones in it.

God has different callings upon people and has given the Holy Spirit who provides skill and wisdom to work.  The God who makes us spiritually fruitful enables us to be mechanically profitable.  There are people God has gifted to work with wool, linen, to design electronics and machines, and to fix engines.  In all God has given us to do we ought to do it heartily as unto the LORD because it is He we serve.  The One who has given us understanding and ability is the One who deserves honour from all we do and accomplish, whether it be labouring in the scriptures, playing instruments in worship of God, sanitizing doorknobs at a church building, or vacuuming floors at home.

It is lovely how God delights to gift His children He calls by name in countless ways with artistic gifts, talents, and skills.  He doesn't just give us talents but fills us with His divine presence to do His work.  Bezalel was given wisdom, knowledge, and skill to work, and I believe God would hold Bezalel to account for honing his craft.  In the parables Jesus told when the masters gave talents to his servants they remained his talents for them to invest productively.  Upon the return of the master there was a settling of accounts:  they returned to the master the original talent and all they gained by trading because it was all the master's.  So it is with the gifts and abilities God has given us to use:  they are His and best used for Him.

May we never discount the value of the wisdom and understanding God gives by the Holy Spirit to His people to work unto Him.  Perhaps Bezalel would not be recognised on the street as the artisan who crafted the ephod like Aaron who wore it, but God knew, called, and gave Bezalel the skills required to fulfill his calling.  Praise the LORD for filling us with the Spirit of God to do His work!