So I will admit it. When I am reading through the Bible I do great at the start, but around about the middle of Exodus things get rather bogged down and crawl to a near halt at the descriptions of skin diseases and bodily discharges of Leviticus. My morning coffee begins to taste funny and quickly I decide it might be just best to skip breakfast.
Toward the end of Exodus, the people of Israel are starting to be formed into a self-governing nation. Their existence as slaves is being peeled away and they are taking on their identity as children of God. Essential to this is the construction of the Tabernacle along with the tents and articles that will used in this place of worship and sacrifice for the nation.
Reading these descriptions I was suddenly struck by the words at the opening of Exodus 31.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have 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 crafts. (vs 1-5 NIV)
Bezalel has been given by God the gifts and abilities to fashion the articles needed for the worship of God. When were these gifts given to him? When did he hone the craft? It must have certainly been while he was living as a slave in Egypt.
Had Bezalel built a successful business designing exquisite pieces of jewelry? Did his work sit on the tables of Pharaoh and his officials? Did the young women say of their betrothed “He went o Bezalel’s?” We will never know, and it all might be a little bit of an exaggeration to think such, but I do wonder. What gifts and talents have we been given? Perhaps God has a grander purpose than we could ever imagine.
Prior to his becoming the leader of World Vision, Richard Stearns was the CEO of Lenox China. He had built a career on selling luxuries to the world’s wealthiest. God used him and the wealth of his position in amazing ways to support the work of his kingdom. Richard thought this was his purpose in life. What he did not know was that God was honing and equipping him to serve the world’s poorest.
What about us? What talents and opportunities has God given to us? Are you in a place of leadership? Do you have musical abilities? Can you fashion things of beauty? Are you able to build the tallest buildings and widest bridges? Whatever you have been given and wherever you are, hone those skills for God’s glory. Become the very best of the best but don’t be too surprised to find that the path you thought you were on to use these talents is not the one God actually has you on.
What do you think?
Blessings,
Stephen