THREE MEN. EXODUS 38 Any work started should not be left unfinished. Every piece needed to be made properly, and all of them had to be completed before the Tabernacle could be used. A partially completed work is not suitable for use. A carelessly finished project for God is not satisfactory. Three men appeared to coordinate their efforts to keep the work progressing while avoiding carelessness or wastefulness with the valuable materials they had. When work for the Lord is begun, it is wise to take time to plan the project and gather the resources needed to achieve the goal. The Lord Jesus mentioned this principle when He taught the importance of counting the cost before starting a work.
Three men—Bezalel, Aholiab, and Ithamar—were chosen by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to do His work in His way. They were assigned this single task, which they carried out faithfully. As far as we know, none of them became famous, but they completed the assignment God gave them. They differed in personality, probably in age, and in their calling, yet they were united in serving God. According to their God-given abilities, each fulfilled the work designated by the Word of the Lord.
When each talent and gift is available, great work can be achieved. Everyone does the work they are capable of, and the result is that they all work together to complete the task. God knows what is needed and whom to use for special work for Him. That is why, in His wisdom, He chooses and allows participation by those He calls. The final product takes shape when one person's work is added to another's. When all are combined, many small things make up the dwelling place.
Ithamar, the priest and one of Aaron's sons, was responsible for managing the materials. He had to keep track of everything that came in for the work, as well as where and how it was used. His job was to ensure there was a record of the materials, so he could tell Moses what was used. Moses had the design of everything in his mind, as God gave it to him. A sum is a conclusion of many parts assembled to form a whole never seen before. Each small part is complete on its own, but it only reaches its full potential — as God intended — when combined with others. Each piece is different, but everyone must publicly present God’s plan. All the different parts together form the aggregate that makes up the whole structure visible to man.
It is important to remember that the Lord's people give their "substance" to the Lord. This means it belongs to the Lord, even though it may be handled by those who oversee the work of an assembly. It also means that when God's people support outreach efforts or missionary work, there should be an accounting for what is received and how it is used.
Bezaleel was responsible for using the material properly for specific tasks. He knew how to cast brass and ensure it was shaped correctly. He understood the dimensions of the boards and how to cover them with gold plating. He knew what was needed to make the curtains and keep them in place. He was a man given wisdom and understanding by the Holy Spirit. With this ability, he could clearly explain to those working on the project what needed to be done and how to do it.
Communicators of truth and understanding why God's ways are implemented a certain way are essential among God's people. Expecting saints to know all details of a situation or how to complete a task without previous experience is unrealistic and unfair. Gifts and experiences should be used to benefit others. Those whom God can use understand their identity and can balance their ability to work with how it can be done by using the resources provided. The obligations and responsibilities God has entrusted to us are not greater than the assets and abilities He provides.
Aholiab seemed to be the kind of person whose skill was unmistakable. He could demonstrate instead of just explaining what needed to be done. He could design something to be built and then actually make it. He wasn't limited to only one type of work. The same Holy Spirit gave him the abilities to do what He wanted, just as He gave Bezalel the leadership qualities and craftsmanship skills he needed.
I may never fully understand what work another person does, but my duty is to do my best with mine. Motivation fueled by love for God is what makes everything fall into place at the right time. God has a plan, and my role is to do my part to the best of my ability. Then I trust God, who sees the end from the beginning and does what is impossible for man. It's unwise to expect everyone to serve God in the same way or to be alike. Each of us needs to be acknowledged for who we are. God can fit each individual into His divine plan in the way that best fulfills His purposes.
In some distant part of the world, one gives their best, while in my place, I am lying down to sleep. When his time of labor ends and he rests, I am awakened to keep watch for the work. Day after day, men build the church, though they remain largely unknown. The day is coming soon when the last seat will be filled, and we will marvel at what God has accomplished. An assembly full of leaders would achieve nothing if no one were willing to labor unseen and without reward for the Lord. Conversely, there would be chaos if willing workers exist but no one with the vision to lead. Too much leadership can cause conflict, and too little can leave us barren.
The tabernacle of testimony was completed by fitting each piece together. Together, it forms the one thing God desired for His earthly dwelling. Each part of that tabernacle reflected God and the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. The order of construction in building the Tabernacle provides insight into how God fulfills His will. Moses understood the Word of the Lord and remained on the mountain with the Lord God until he knew exactly what God wanted His dwelling place with His people to be like.
Moses, in turn, appointed Ithamar to be responsible for managing the gifts. Bezalel received the overall plan of the completed work from Moses and was able to clearly explain to the people what needed to be done. Aholiab knew how to do the work and could lead by example, showing those who came to learn from him how to do work for the Lord. The willing-hearted people brought what they could and did their best. When all the work was completed in this way, the result was a beautiful dwelling place for God among His people. "How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity, for there the Lord commandeth a blessing."
Today, the church God is building resembles the Tabernacle from the Old Testament. Each new believer is like an added stone to God's structure and contributes to the total needed to complete it. The Tabernacle of old was a visible symbol of God’s dwelling among His people. Each small part alone might seem insignificant, but together with all the others, it creates a beautiful whole.
With every part in its place, each one is meant to showcase our glorious Lord. The total sum is approaching; the church is nearly complete. It is growing each day until it reaches the number of those predestined by God to be part of the finished church. The church is expanding, and each local “house of God" is His testimony to the world that His building project is ongoing to His praise and honor.