May 20, 2013

Scripture:  Exodus 36-38   Delegation and Follow Through

Exodus 36:2  Then Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every skillful person in whom the LORD had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him, to come to the work to perform it.

Insights: 

Moses had to appoint a man skillful and full of wisdom to build the tabernacle and all its furnishings.  His name was Bezalel and his counterpart was Oholiab.  While we do not know much about them outside of their work on the tabernacle, they served as project managers and experts for building the tabernacle.  While they were the experts, they used every person who had skill to do the work and the leading of the Lord to do it.  The detail of the work was amazing.  They followed the Lord’s guidelines to Moses as he received them on the mountain.  Many people may pass over these passages but as a whole they give us a couple of reminders.  

First, most people do not know who the project managers were on building the tabernacle but they do know the work was done.   However, God knew who they were and what they accomplished in building the tabernacle.  

Second, God had called Moses to lead the people and gave him the vision for the tabernacle.  The people responded by giving and by stepping forward to work.  But Moses did not have the skill.  The skill set belonged to Bezalel and Oholiab.  God knew their capabilities and called them.  Sometimes we do not see how God can use our abilities, but God can use any of our skills and talents to give Him glory.   

Third, these passages are often overlooked in Scripture reading.  Many people read the design given earlier and then skim over these chapters.  After all they do repeat quite a bit and do not seem to be inspiring.  But God is interested in details and seeing that everything He called for was done as He designed. Sometimes we see the big idea, but we do not realize how important our follow through is.  But God is interested in all aspects and seeing that we obey Him completely.

Prayer:  

Father, thank You for knowing me and my abilities.  Help me to use my skills for You and I choose to walk in complete obedience.

Robert Lutz - Pastor, Shiloh Baptist

 

Memory verse for the week:   

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.