Set Apart for the Work of the Lord
Exodus 31:1-5: "The Lord said to Moses, 'See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft.'"
Throughout the book of Exodus, we have seen that Moses was set apart to lead the nation of Israel and that Aaron and his sons were set apart to serve as priests before the Lord. Now, we see a new calling among God's people: the calling of an artist. Bezalel was called by name, and his genealogy was listed. God knows Bezalel. He designed him for this very purpose. God endowed Bezalel with great artistic gifts, and he would pour out his Holy Spirit upon him for the purpose of building the tabernacle and all that is within it. There was the ministry of an artist within the camp, and that ministry would bless the entire nation.
God still calls his people to a variety of ministries. There is clearly the pastor who delivers weekly sermons, the youth minister who creatively finds ways to raise up the next generation in the faith, the sexton and his team who care for the facilities. Then there are the artists who beautifully display the glory of God through their creations and the musicians who lead the people in glorious worship of the Lord. There are so many roles and callings. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). Bezalel was created with the gifting and the calling to build the tabernacle. Each of us also have been set apart and gifted in some way to build the church. Each of us has a ministry!
If you don't know your ministry, think about what you love to do. Just as God designed Bezalel with these amazing gifts, he has designed you with amazing gifts. When the people of God use their gifts, there is great joy. So, what brings you joy? What do you long to do? God is so good and so kind, and he longs to bless you with the joy of serving him and others. Those passions within you are God-given. Use them today for his glory!
Reflection:
What would it look like for you to offer God your gifts, to tap into your greatest desires, and to allow him to lead you to use those gifts in ministry?
Throughout the book of Exodus, we have seen that Moses was set apart to lead the nation of Israel and that Aaron and his sons were set apart to serve as priests before the Lord. Now, we see a new calling among God's people: the calling of an artist. Bezalel was called by name, and his genealogy was listed. God knows Bezalel. He designed him for this very purpose. God endowed Bezalel with great artistic gifts, and he would pour out his Holy Spirit upon him for the purpose of building the tabernacle and all that is within it. There was the ministry of an artist within the camp, and that ministry would bless the entire nation.
God still calls his people to a variety of ministries. There is clearly the pastor who delivers weekly sermons, the youth minister who creatively finds ways to raise up the next generation in the faith, the sexton and his team who care for the facilities. Then there are the artists who beautifully display the glory of God through their creations and the musicians who lead the people in glorious worship of the Lord. There are so many roles and callings. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). Bezalel was created with the gifting and the calling to build the tabernacle. Each of us also have been set apart and gifted in some way to build the church. Each of us has a ministry!
If you don't know your ministry, think about what you love to do. Just as God designed Bezalel with these amazing gifts, he has designed you with amazing gifts. When the people of God use their gifts, there is great joy. So, what brings you joy? What do you long to do? God is so good and so kind, and he longs to bless you with the joy of serving him and others. Those passions within you are God-given. Use them today for his glory!
Reflection:
What would it look like for you to offer God your gifts, to tap into your greatest desires, and to allow him to lead you to use those gifts in ministry?
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