The book of Exodus gives us the name of a highly skilled man, one whom God had enabled to do something so important and special. His name is Bezalel.
Who is Bezalel and what can we learn from him? We will talk about that in this article.
A God-ordained worker
Exodus 31:1-2 introduces Bezalel to us:
"Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: "See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.""
Bezalel is the son of Uri and the grandson of a man named Hur. Various commentaries say this Hur is the same man who went with Moses and Aaron when Israel went to battle against the Amalekites (see Exodus 17:8-16).
Bezalel, whose name meant "in the shadow (protection) of God," played an important role in the Old Testament. While he did not wage war like Joshua or led a nation like David, God used him for a specific purpose:
"And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship." (see Exodus 31:3-5)
God called and enabled him to work on the tabernacle of Moses. He taught people whom God had called to work on the tabernacle, Aholiab his assistant included.
Now what can we learn from him? Here are a few:
1) God is the one who calls people to specific roles in the Kingdom
As we read in Exodus 31:1-2, God Himself told Moses that He had called Bezalel for this precious task. God was intent on calling him that He would even name his father and grandfather, if only to identify which Bezalel He meant.
2) God is the one who enables and empowers the called to do what He called them to do
God had detailed instructions for the construction of the tabernacle of Moses. These instructions were so detailed and required a high level of skill that only a skilled worker will be able to do them.
And so, in order to see His instructions followed, He Himself enabled someone to be able to do what He wanted done. In this case, it was this man named Bezalel.
If God calls us to do something for Him, He will also be the one to teach us and prepare us for the task He's called us to do. And yes, He will also provide for it.
3) Those who are called must give glory to God, not to themselves
After the work on the tabernacle was finished, nowhere do we read that Bezalel basked in the praises of people. We don't read him being flattered by those who are looking at his finished work.
We don't read him taking the glory that only belongs to God. We must be like that.
