Exodus 31:1-5 “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri … and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills — to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.”

Bezalel was a young man and a great-grandson of Caleb. He was a descendant of Judah. I wonder if Bezalel thought about his skills to be used for God’s special purpose as a ministry. Maybe it took the filling of the Spirit to respond to that call.

Principle: Christian vocational ministry is not the only calling from God and is not necessarily a higher calling than secular work.

For the millions of Spirit-empowered Christians in the world who are craftsmen, laborers, business leaders, accountants, physicians, geologists, etc. the same question arises today. Are you skilled? Yes. Are you empowered by the Spirit? Yes. Will you consider your work a ministry? Yes. Will you engage your skills, God’s way?

The finished work of Bezalel was a tabernacle that pleased God was so much that He moved into it, calling it “home.” For Bezalel, getting there must have been quite a journey. All those things to build out in the wilderness with no power tools; no power, except the Holy Spirit. Plans to be followed, schedules to be met, problems to be solved, conflicts to be resolved, shortages, difficulties to be overcome, but God did it through a Spirit-filled working man.

Discussion:

1. Do you consider you skill a gift from God? What is your skill?

2. Is Spirit empowerment necessary to produce the work God’s way, fulfilling His purpose? Expand on that idea one way or the other.

3. In what way do you consider yourself in ministry?