Gifted People. Exodus 31:1-11 In any work we do, the purpose must be clear. The Tabernacle was to be the place where God would dwell with His people. This made the work of building the Tabernacle absolutely and importantly crucial. A practice run could not be allowed to learn how to do what God commanded. There were no "trial runs" to get man’s approval. All that was given was in the instructions provided to Moses. God knew what it should look like; that was all that mattered.
These final instructions from God to Moses were not mere suggestions. They were given carefully, in detail, serving as a clear 'how-to” guide and outlining what must be done. We do not have the right to add to or take away from anything God says in His word. When we do what we do “as unto the Lord,” no questions need to be asked, especially when we have clear guidance on common concerns shared by all humankind; the Holy Spirit has given gifts to guide us and help us serve others.
God knew Bezaleel ("In the shadow of God") and identified him as the person He wanted to lead this work. He called him by name, leaving no doubt about who was entrusted with this task. This man was "filled with the Spirit of God,' with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge of “all manner of workmanship.' Although his family before him held leadership roles, that did not qualify him for the work he was to do. He was from the tribe of Judah, the first in the order of march when Israel traveled.
When God appoints one of His followers for a specific task, He equips them to do it according to His will. The understanding of God as the Creator of all things in the universe is given in a limited way for using the materials God created initially. Each material has a specific purpose in God's divine plan, aligned with His sovereign will. The wisdom, knowledge, and understanding needed to utilize those materials are granted when divine leadership is submitted to.
Nations, assemblies, and families function properly when God’s divine pattern is followed. Bezaleel’s family before him likely influenced him to some extent. Paul, the apostle, said that he was a wise master builder. All of God’s people have work to do, and the qualifications to accomplish what God intends actually come from Him. He knows our natural talents, and when He gifts each believer, the combination of divine gifts and natural abilities can produce what He wants.
Aholiab ("The tent of my father") was from the tribe of Dan, the last one in the order of march. And among all those in between, God placed into the hearts of people what wasn't naturally there. Along with their natural talents, the spiritual gifts God gave them enabled them to accomplish God's revealed will. The same is true today. Because someone may be very skillful in their daily work, it does not give them priority over others of God's people. God knows each of us and, according to His own purposes of grace, enables us and gifts us to fulfill the work He wants us to do in the place of His choosing.
The work of the Holy Spirit in God's people is not always obscure or seemingly miraculous. Bezaleel was given wisdom to envision clearly in his mind and heart, both of which are closely connected: the results of the project and the purpose behind it before it was started. He knew what he was doing from the beginning of the work. The Holy Spirit uses what we have absorbed to produce, by His power, what God intends. "To devise cunning works" indicates an artistic mind capable of visualizing the finished product. Skills to do God's work and will are spiritual gifts that surpass human talents.
When someone has the ability to do this, they need wisdom to pass it on to others who might not see what they see. Using wisdom, a leader may only need to delegate certain tasks to different people. Their knowledge helps them recognize a person's strengths. One person might be skilled at making perfect lumber from hardwood. Another might know how to create a fine gold plate. Someone else might be able to cast silver, and another might be skilled in weaving and leatherwork, which was probably Aholiab's specialty.
Similarly, God had His people build a dwelling for Him; He uses us today. He could have created it instantly with a word, but He established a covenant with His people, and they had a role in God's work. He is using His people now in building His Church. We also have a commission, which includes going, making, preaching, teaching, and observing, just as the Tabernacle builders did their work. We need wisdom from God.
Understanding was also provided because the material they were using was very precious and costly. There was no room for mistakes or "trial and error" work on how to use all that precious material correctly the first time they handled it, which required unnatural understanding. It had to come from God. The actual work involved in building the Tabernacle called for the special dispensing of knowledge by the Holy Spirit.
We are not just dealing with perishable material when we carry out our commission. The Gospel must be understood and presented clearly. The truths about the new birth, eternal life, eternal security, and the eternal future need to be fully grasped. There must never be any misunderstanding of the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ in God's work. Any human additions regarding the way of salvation carry eternal consequences that cannot be reversed. Recognizing the goal of our work and having the wisdom to effectively communicate it to others is how the Holy Spirit empowers us to fulfill God's will.
To actually perform the task we have been given might initially cause fear and trepidation, as we worry about making mistakes. Some might even choose to do nothing to avoid errors. However, that's not an option because the work is more important than our comfort. We learn to trust the guidance of the Holy Spirit when we are actively involved in the Lord's work, not just observing it or fearing it. When we focus our attention on God's work and His calling, we are provided with the wisdom, understanding, and knowledge needed to do what God intends in the way He expects.