We often think of Spirit-filled people as those who do a certain type of ministerial work, but God’s Word teaches something far broader. God equips different people for unique tasks.
When you think of the Exodus, your mind automatically drifts to the critical leadership of Moses. You might remember his confrontation with Pharaoh, his staff raised before the Red Sea, or his hands bringing the Ten Commandments down the mountain. He even provided instructions for the Tabernacle’s construction but didn’t build it.
Do you know who did it? Bezalel, of course. Have you heard of him before? You probably haven’t unless you have deeply studied the Book of Exodus.
31:1 The Lord also spoke to Moses: 2 “Look, I have appointed by name Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 I have filled him with God’s Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every craft 4 to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, 5 to cut gemstones for mounting, and to carve wood for work in every craft. 6 I have also selected Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be with him. I have put wisdom in the heart of every skilled artisan in order to make all that I have commanded you
Exodus 31:1-6
While he never stood before the congregation to lead the sacrificial rituals, no one could have led those moments without his leadership and service. What exactly was his role? He was an architect, designer, and contractor. If you think he just had natural gifts and abilities to pull this off, you are missing a key revelation in this text. God’s Spirit filled Bezalel not to preach, teach, or lead but to work.
Bezalel was just as gifted as Moses, but it was just a different set of gifts.
The LORD described him as being filled with God’s Spirit in “wisdom, understanding, and ability” (Ex. 31:3). With those God-given gifts, he possessed a designer’s mind, a lapidary’s skill, and a woodworker’s ability (Ex. 31:4-5). God also gave Bezalel a helper in Oholiab who was gifted in skillful support (Ex. 31:6).Â
While Moses’ leadership marked the formation and organization of the Tabernacle, it would not have happened without God’s gifting of Bezalel and Oholiab. These blue-collared workers would work in tandem with the man of the cloth.
While each role is essential and needed, the alignment of the worker with the task was also critical to their success.Â
I’m not saying that Bezalel couldn’t speak God’s truth before a congregation, but he doesn’t seem eager to do so. I don’t want to assume that Moses couldn’t have built the structure, but something about his first forty years in Pharaoh’s padded palace and his second years as a shepherd watching wanderers in the wilderness does not qualify him for such complicated design and construction.
Don’t discredit yourself from meaningful ministry just because your gifts don’t look like the ones you see utilized on your church’s platform. God has gifted you, don’t neglect to use those gifts for His glory and others’ good.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
