Bezalel: A Man in God’s Plan - Daily Thoughts about God

by Marilyn Ehle

‘Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel…and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills…” Exodus 31:1-6

How many sermons have you heard about Bezalel?? Although the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem is one of the world’s most famous art schools, few outside the Hebrew tradition have heard about this man for whom it is named. A man specially chosen by God to oversee much of the design of the incredibly beautiful tabernacle.

God calls Moses to the top of a mountain and gives him detailed instructions for a place of worship as well as directives on how people should live to glorify this One who was bringing them from slavery to freedom. These people needed a place to assure them of God’s continuing presence and so this tent of meeting would be made in such a way that it could be transported from place to place during their sojourn.

While generations have rightly honored the names of Moses, Aaron, Miriam and Joshua, how interesting that God not only chooses but empowers an ordinary man to “make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze…” An ordinary man with extraordinary skills. A man who would wander through the desert like the rest of the Israelites but one who would always look at what his hands had created and know that God chose him and filled him with the Holy Spirit to faithfully accomplish a great work.

What do you create on a daily basis? Meals? Music? Houses? Plumbing systems? Do some of your creations get dusty with use or need repair? Do people ignore or devalue your creations? Do you wonder if your name is included in any list of Creative Geniuses?

Take heart! God chooses, empowers and gives skills to ordinary people to accomplish His plan to re-create the world so His beauty can be seen.

Father, thank you for the variety of people you use to mirror your likeness. Help me recognize and appreciate them as well as explore the gifts you have given me.

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