Discipleship, the Bible, followers of Jesus

Discipleship, the Bible, followers of Jesus
Today's readings: Exodus 37, 38, 39, 40

I just finished going out! Good friends! You have already directed three of the longest books of the Bible and you are on your way to achieving your goal of reading the Bible this year! If you have lagged a little ... do not worry! Keep plugging away! Remember that reading the Bible a year is somewhat arbitrary. Good to read the Bible in six months or a year and a half! God honors all the time we spend on His word.

Before we leave Exodus, I would like to mention two kids who are often forgotten. Bezalel and Oholiab are just as critical of this story as Moses, Aaron, Miriam and all the others. Without God's gifted skill and talent and passion for craftsmanship, we would not know much about how the first Israelites worshiped. Without their attention to detail and the ability to shape gold and wood and cloth, we would not have the tent and all its furniture. No sheet. No altar. No golden lamp stand. You can recall Genesis 31 by saying these words: “Behold, I called Bezalel the son of Hur, son of the tribe of Judah, and I filled him with the spirit and intelligence of God with knowledge and all craftsmanship artistic design, work in gold, silver and bronze, in cutting stones to set and wood to work in each craft. And, behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab the son of Ahisamak, the tribe of Dan. And I have given to every wise man the ability to do all that I have commanded thee: the tabernacle of the congregation, the ark of the testimony, and the seat of grace that is upon it, and all the furnishings of the tent, the table, and its utensils, and the pure candlestick, and all its utensils. and the altar of incense, and the altar of burnt offering, with all its vessels, and the bowl, and the staff, and the fine garments, the holy garments of Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests, the anointing oil, and the incense of incense before the sanctuary. According to all that I have commanded you, they will do. "

It is so easy to focus on Moses or Aaron or Joshua or some other great leader in the history of Israel. It is so easy to assume that they are the focus of the story. They are gifted of God. They are called by God. They are the ones God uses to accomplish His great work. But Bezalel and Oholiab are quick to remind us that ALL of us are in some way gifted by God and that ALL of us are called to use our gifts for His glory. Not heroes are just pastors or missionaries. The people of God use the gifts God has given to each of them for the building up of the Body of Christ and the glory of the Kingdom of God. When we do not initiate our gifts or in any way diminish our gifts, we lose at least part of what God has planned for us. Imagine how impoverished we would be if there had never been Bezalel or Oholiab? Consider the impact on the life of worshiping Israel if there were no craftsmen to do everything God had ordained?

Now, think about our lives together. Let's think about our worship together. What gifts do you bring? Is this a gift from music? A gift of prayer? The gift of friendship? A gift from production? The gift of preaching? The gift of teaching? A gift of serving? If you are a Christian, the same Spirit of God fills you with the one who filled Bezalel. The same Spirit gives us all the gifts and talents we need to worship and serve God as we require. So how do you practice your gift? How do you want to use your gift to build others in the church family? Your home? In the neighborhood? At work or school? Fill God with the same passion He once gave Bezalel and Oholiab, and serve His gifts and talents in God's mission in the world!