Calling and Purpose 36—Bezalel

So often in churches, the focus of the “calling” discussion and primary teaching seems to be on pastors or missionaries being the “called.”  The rest of us are left to muddle through—wondering if we are just workers or if we, too, are “called” to what we do as vocation or avocation. 

 However, Scripture is clear that each of us is called by God.  He designs us for unique purposes.  In order to accomplish His work in the world, He assigns each of us to a different arena or sphere of influence.  We bring our God-given talents—developed over our lifetimes, our God-given spiritual gifts, our unique personality and set of behaviors, and our past experiences to what we are called and purposed to do.  What we do is no less (and no more) important or significant than what pastors and missionaries do. [Read Faith and Work for more on the value of work.]

 An excellent example of God calling someone to use his God-given gifts and talents for a specific purpose is Bezalel.  We first meet him (and his co-worker Oholiab) in Exodus 31.

 Even though his work in this instance is a “holy” one—creating the Tabernacle—he has spent his lifetime learning to create in wood, metal, and stone.  He is a craftsman who likely earned his living mostly (or perhaps completely) outside the realm of sacred worship—given that just a short while before this story, he and the rest of his nation were slaves in Egypt.

The Lord says to Moses “I have chosen Bezalel…and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills” which include making “artistic designs,” working in gold, silver and bronze, cutting and setting stones, working with wood and all kinds of crafts.  God makes it clear that He, the Lord, has given Bezalel his creative abilities and gifts. Bezalel and his team will create the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant and atonement cover, all the tent furnishings, the table, the lampstands, the altars, utensils, basin, stands, curtains, sacred priestly garments, the oil for anointing and the incense.  All of it.

 This is described in detail on Mount Sinai as God gave Moses the law inscribed on tablets of stone. Moses reiterates this to the Israelites in Exodus 35:30-35, re-emphasizing that God has filled Bezalel with gifts (Wisdom, Knowledge, Craftsmanship) and skill to do the designs and the work.

 Moses tells the people (Exodus 36):  “So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded.” The repetition of the fact that our skills and abilities come from God is striking.  And, God clearly has a purpose for these individuals to use these skills in particular ways.

 The next chapter (Exodus 37) states clearly that Bezalel was the one to make the Ark of the Covenant and the Atonement Cover. He does the measuring, the woodwork, the gold overlay and lining, the casting of the rings, the poles for carrying, the hammering, the creation of the cherubim,

 Much later, during the reign of Solomon, 2 Chronicles 1:5 refers to “the bronze altar that Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made,” showing not only that Bezalel was responsible for that specific item but that he was remembered for his dedicated craftsmanship for generations.

 ·       Do you have the sense that your vocation/avocation is a calling from God?

·       What are you uniquely designed, skilled, and gifted for?

·       How can you think of your “secular” work as equally important as any “sacred” work you or others do in the context of church/ministry?

·       How has reading of Bezalel helped you expand your view of God’s concern for your daily work?

If you aren’t familiar with your gifts—which help give shape and substance to your purpose and calling, take the free online assessment.

 For more on these subjects, see the Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog.  Check out other resources and a six-week workbook at GodGiftsYou.com.

 Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and law enforcement leadership for over 30 years.  Shirley has been EquipConnectServe Director at First Pres Boulder since 1999.  She has worked with leaders and organizations in 47 of the United States as well as having clients outside the U.S.  Contact Shirley