The great project of building and furnishing the tabernacle as a dwelling place for God’s presence required many skilled workers. The Bible highlights two people, Bezalel and Oholiab, whose high level of skill made them natural leaders of this construction project. Their abilities in the arts and crafts reflected the image of God the Creator.

Of course, these two did not work alone. Everyone in Israel who had a relevant skill worked to help make curtains, frames, and fasteners (36:8-38). That’s why it was also important that Bezalel and Oholiab could teach their skills to others (5:34). No one is fully skilled in anything at the beginning; every gift needs a good teacher as well as much practice to become fully developed.

Bezalel and Oholiab are examples to us of how we should develop and use our own gifts for the church of Jesus (Ro 12:6-8). When we are willing to learn various ways of serving in the church, we can experience the joy of becoming highly skilled, and we can pass those skills on to the next generation. Through this, our lives and work can reveal God’s glory.
Application: Father, thank you for giving us gifts by which we can build the church as your dwelling place. Help me to be diligent in developing and using my gifts to serve others.
One Word: Develop, use, and teach my gifts