What does the appointment of Bezalel and Oholiab say about beauty, excellence, and doing everything we do in a way that pleases God?
A Christian leader once said to me that their organisation didn’t need to be good because they believed the Holy Spirit would make up the difference.
I was quite a young leader at the time, but I was still a bit shocked at the audacity of that statement. Now, many years later, I’m more convinced than ever that a comment like that actually flies in the face of God’s expectations regarding beauty, excellence, and doing everything we do in a way that pleases Him – from attitude to aesthetics.
Exodus 35 gives us a little peek into the heart of God when it comes to this, including the remarkable opportunity we’re given to partner with Him in creating beauty and fulfilling His plans and purposes.
Bezalel & Oholiab
Exodus is that part of the Bible where God is giving instructions to Moses on how the people of Israel should live as His chosen people. This chapter, in particular, focuses on the building of the tabernacle, God’s design for it, and on two of the men He handpicked to complete the task.
So, in light of that comment I received many years ago, I thought I would share my five takeaways from the appointment of Bezalel and Oholiab, which I hope will help us rethink our perspective on beauty, excellence, and doing what we do in a way that honours God.
My 5 Take-Aways
- The tabernacle was meant to reflect God’s glory, even though it paled in comparison to His own handwork (Psalm 19:1). Still, the intricate designs, precious materials, and skilled craftsmanship all pointed to His majesty and holiness. A friend of mine – a gifted musician and church planter – says that “if it’s not beautiful, we’re not doing it”. In other words, whatever we do should ultimately aim to glorify God and reflect His character. And who else knows that God is FAR from mediocre?
- God chose the two men that He knew were best suited for the job. They may already have had some skills, or knowledge of these skills, or were at the very least the most capable of learning them. But they were handpicked by God. They were the core team, if you like, that were given responsibility for carrying out the plans God had given through Moses. Likewise, I believe it’s more than okay to ask God to bring you the people best suited to work with you in achieving His plans for your church, business, or organisation. So, how boldly are you praying?
- There is still a calling to those of us who seemingly haven’t been handpicked by God. Exodus 35:10 highlights God’s expectation that ALL who are skilled among you are to come and make everything He has commanded. What does that mean in the context of the church, business, or organisation God has chosen you to build? Who are the “skilled” that are waiting for you to help them fulfill God’s plan for their respective lives?
- God qualifies and equips those He calls. Both Bezalel and Oholiab were filled with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge, and with all kinds of skills (Exodus 35:31) to accomplish the work of building the tabernacle when Moses called them together. Likewise, we can expect God to qualify and equip those He has called to serve Him (including you and me). And if you need a New Covenant example of this, check out Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV)— “May the God of peace … equip you with everything good for doing his will.”
- God expects us to invest in others. The inference from Exodus 35:34-35 is that Bezalel and Oholiab not only assembled a team but also trained them to meet the high standards God set for the tabernacle. Indeed, we’re told that God gave both men the ability to teach others, ensuring that their team members could perform the work with the same skill and dedication as Bezalel and Oholiab. This way, many could quickly learn and contribute to the construction of the tabernacle. How are you intentionally pouring yourself into the leaders around you? And, perhaps more importantly, how are you ensuring your leaders pour themselves into their team members?