See, I have called by name Bezaleel the
son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with
the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in
all manner of workmanship, To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in
silver, and in brass, And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of
timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. And I, behold, I have given with
him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of
all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have
commanded thee; - Exodus 31.2-6
Aholiab and
Bezaleel are two of my favourite less known characters in the scriptures. These
are ‘just’ working class craftsmen, but God uses them mightily.
We tend to
think of the great leaders or preachers or preachers or prophets when we think
of the spiritual giants of scripture. But we know that God does not only use
them. God uses anyone. Here Aholiab and Bezaleel are craftsmen who we find out
are filled with the spirit of God and with His wisdom and understanding and
knowledge.
And to do
all manner of workmanship.
God gave
them the ability to do the physical labour that needed to be done. Many, many
years ago a friend and I were workers, not in gold or silver or brass, but we
sheet metal. He was a Christian as well and we jokingly called ourselves
Aholiab and Bezaleel. But I am not too sure it was unreasonable joking.
Whatever work we do I think we need to acknowledge that it is God who is behind
our ability to do it right and well and for His glory. I have done a lot of
what we call ‘menial jobs’ but any job we do for God’s glory we need to depend
on Him every day for the do that in a way that reflects the truth that He gives
us the power to do it.
We are all
needed, no matter that man tends to glorify.
So praise God
for the Abrahams and Josephs and Moseses and Davids and Pauls – and praise Him
for the Aholiabs and Bezaleels!
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