Empowered for Special Work
Exodus 28:2-3: "And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill, that they make Aaron's garments to consecrate him for my priesthood."
The Lord has endowed his people with gifts to do his work. In the book of Exodus, we have seen how God set apart Moses at birth to be the one who would lead his people out of the bondage of Egypt. We have seen Aaron who was called to assist Moses, Miriam who led the women in a celebratory song and dance unto the Lord, and Joshua who led the nation of Israel in battle. Each of these people had unique gifts that they brought to the community of Israel. As we read about the instructions for the tabernacle, we see how God bestowed special artistic gifts upon his people. The Lord instructed Moses with these words, "speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill" (Ex. 28:3). These are the ones who would come together to make Aaron's special priestly garments. Just as the articles within the tabernacle were to be special and glorious, so were the garments of the ones who would serve the Lord within the tabernacle.
Everyone within the nation of Israel had a role to play within their community. There would be some to assemble the tabernacle at each stopping point, and others to carry the pieces of the tabernacle as they traveled. Some would hunt, and still others would gather. Some were appointed to care for the children and provide meals for their families and community gatherings. Every man, woman, and child had a calling, and their fulfillment of that calling was vital for the health of the community.
God is still in the business of equipping his people with a great diversity of gifts and skills. Paul writes about this gifting in his first letter to the Corinthians: "Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues" (1 Cor. 12:27-28). By God's design, no one person has all the gifts. We are made to be interdependent. The health of your church and community is dependent upon you utilizing your gifts and skills and allowing others to use theirs.
Reflection:
Are you faithfully exercising your spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ? Do you see the importance of your unique contribution? How can you be an encouragement to others to do the same?
The Lord has endowed his people with gifts to do his work. In the book of Exodus, we have seen how God set apart Moses at birth to be the one who would lead his people out of the bondage of Egypt. We have seen Aaron who was called to assist Moses, Miriam who led the women in a celebratory song and dance unto the Lord, and Joshua who led the nation of Israel in battle. Each of these people had unique gifts that they brought to the community of Israel. As we read about the instructions for the tabernacle, we see how God bestowed special artistic gifts upon his people. The Lord instructed Moses with these words, "speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill" (Ex. 28:3). These are the ones who would come together to make Aaron's special priestly garments. Just as the articles within the tabernacle were to be special and glorious, so were the garments of the ones who would serve the Lord within the tabernacle.
Everyone within the nation of Israel had a role to play within their community. There would be some to assemble the tabernacle at each stopping point, and others to carry the pieces of the tabernacle as they traveled. Some would hunt, and still others would gather. Some were appointed to care for the children and provide meals for their families and community gatherings. Every man, woman, and child had a calling, and their fulfillment of that calling was vital for the health of the community.
God is still in the business of equipping his people with a great diversity of gifts and skills. Paul writes about this gifting in his first letter to the Corinthians: "Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues" (1 Cor. 12:27-28). By God's design, no one person has all the gifts. We are made to be interdependent. The health of your church and community is dependent upon you utilizing your gifts and skills and allowing others to use theirs.
Reflection:
Are you faithfully exercising your spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ? Do you see the importance of your unique contribution? How can you be an encouragement to others to do the same?
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