Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. “I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship. And behold, I Myself have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the hearts of all who are skillful I have put skill, that they may make all that I have commanded you (Exodus 31:1-7 NIV).
This Labor Day, I thought it might be worthwhile to consider the work God has called each of us to do.
Years ago, when I was in grad school, it was a late night, after a very long day, and I decided to be lazy and take the elevator. It was only one floor up, since my office was in the basement, but it wasn’t long before I found out why I took the elevator. About halfway up, the elevator stalled. Now the good news was the phone worked and I was able to call security, and they told me that they would send a maintenance guy to get me out. That took about three hours, but during that time, the Lord spoke to me. Now it wasn’t audible, but I could hear Him as if He had actually spoken. And He said, “Are you going to take me seriously, or music seriously?” Now the conversation went on for some time, but it all had to do with my priorities as a music major in grad school. And eventually I said, “Lord, if you want me to dig ditches, I will be the best ditch digger I can be.” I spent some time in worship, then the maintenance guy showed up and I was out the door. God had reset my priorities, and it began with my heart. Back to the above passage.
Starting with Chapter 25 in Exodus, God is providing instructions to Moses for the construction of the Tabernacle, the courtyard, it’s furnishings and the worship that is to take place. This passage is where God informs Moses who will be doing all that building (by the way, God is the One providing the design).
This passage starts with God calling Bezalel specifically by name, and God filling him with His Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, knowledge and all kinds of craftsmanship. And for all the other workers, He has put these same skills — these gifts — into the hearts of all. Called, filled and skillful hearts. That’s an enormous change in the life and times of the people of Israel; all designed around the relationship the LORD would have with His People, and their worship of Him.
Now the work on the tabernacle, its courtyard and its furnishings was eventually completed. A few hundred years later, Solomon built the Temple. And even that was completed. But, the work of the temple, the worship, the sacrifices, would continue until the Lamb of God was sacrificed for us.
There are many things which God has called us as believers to do: live holy lives; do good works; love one another; love Him; glorify Him; the list goes on. But here God has called and equipped people to do the work. What’s the work God is doing in your heart? What has God put in your heart to do?
Today’s One Thing
Maybe this blog post has more to do with life than work. But you know what, it works for both. Has God called you? Has He filled you with His Spirit? Has He changed your heart? If you are a follower of Christ, then the answers are yes! So, maybe you know and are doing exactly what He has called you to do. But maybe you don’t have a clue. Or you’ve been dragging your feet. Or you don’t think yourself worthy enough, or you don’t think the call is worthy enough. If you’re stuck, or confused, or in avoidance, what is God is doing in your heart?
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart (Proverbs 3:3 NIV).
But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people (Hebrews 8:10 NLT).
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (Colossians 3:12 NAS).
If you need to hear His call, understand His call, or obey His call, seek Him, then ask Him to write it upon your heart. That works for life, and it works for work.
Read our previous Labor Day blog series post here.
