Sacred Craftsmanship by the Spirit
I have filled [Bezalel] with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs.
Today's Scripture
Exodus 31:1-11
Today's Insights
When God commanded Pharaoh to "let my people go, so that they may worship me" (Exodus 7:16; 8:1, 20; 9:1, 13; 10:3), He had a divine purpose. Two months after their liberation from Egypt, the Israelites gathered at Mount Sinai (19:1-2) where God revealed His law (Chapters 20-24) and detailed instructions for worship (Chapters 25-31). The tabernacle, constructed according to God's precise specifications, would serve as His dwelling—"a holy sanctuary so [He could] live among [His people]" (25:8 NLT).
For this sacred task, God specifically appointed Bezalel and Oholiab as master craftsmen, endowing them with extraordinary abilities to lead the work and mentor other artisans (31:1-6; 35:30-34). Beyond these two, God enhanced the skills of many others to complete this holy assignment (31:6-11; 35:35–36:2), demonstrating that divine empowerment extends to practical craftsmanship.
Today's Devotional
Franz Mohr, chief concert technician at Steinway & Sons in New York, was the trusted piano tuner for legendary pianists like Van Cliburn and Vladimir Horowitz. His meticulous knowledge of pianos and exceptional skill, developed over decades, made him invaluable to world-class musicians. What distinguished Mohr was his belief that these technical abilities were a way to serve God, regularly sharing his faith with pianists and performance staff.
When Israel prepared to build the tabernacle and its furnishings, they needed exceptional craftsmanship (Exodus 31:7-11). God appointed Bezalel and Oholiab, filling them with the "Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs" (vv. 3-4). Their technical expertise was divinely enhanced, transforming ordinary human talent into holy service. Their willingness to dedicate these unique abilities to God enabled Israel's proper worship.
Each of us possesses distinctive gifts from God, whether artistic or not (Romans 12:6). When empowered by the Holy Spirit, our work becomes worship, and our skills become sacred offerings, using the wisdom, understanding, and abilities He has graciously provided.
Prophetic Significance
The divine empowerment of Bezalel and Oholiab foreshadows how God would later pour out His Spirit on all believers. Just as these craftsmen created a physical dwelling place for God through Spirit-empowered skills, we now serve as living temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Their creative work prefigures how the church, as Christ's body, would be comprised of diverse members with varied gifts, all empowered by the same Spirit for building God's kingdom (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). This ancient pattern reveals that God values excellence in craftsmanship and elevates practical skills to sacred status when surrendered to His purposes—a prophetic picture of how our vocations and talents can become transformative expressions of worship in building God's eternal dwelling among His people.
Reflect & Pray
What are some of the talents God's given you? How might you use them to serve Him?