Bezaleel the Builder
Exodus 31:1-5 Bezaleel is chosen to build the tabernacle of the Lord
The tabernacle was build with 54 boards using precise measurements. It was made of Shittim wood, which most Bible scholars believe to be Acacia wood. Which is a hard wood. But, they had to cut the wood from the tree, by hand, using hand tools. These 54 planks were to be 10 cubits long, about 1ft. They were 24 inches wide and 4 inches deep. They were large, and wouldn't have been easy to hew.
He was also responsible for the building of the furnishings, the fabric, the building of all of the instruments used in the worship. He
Great skill was involved in the building of the tabernacle. The exact pattern was given by God himself to Moses on Mt. Sinai.
It was no small task to build the tabernacle. We're told that he was a man who was wise, a craftsman, in whom the Lord had placed his spirit, Exodus 36:2. We're also told that he was to teach others the needed skills, Exodus 35:4. And we see that Bezaleel, and all those who worked with him were eager and zealous for the work.
The name Bezaleel means, In the Shadow of God.
- Psalm 36:7
- To build the tabernacle and all that was contained within and for the usage of worship. Exodus 31:3-11
- Had to make the garments of the priests clothing.
As Christians, we too have been given a great commission.
- Matthew 28:19-20
- Acts 20:32
- 1 Corinthians 3:9
- Exodus 36:1
- Exodus 37:1
We too have been given work to complete.
- Galatians 5:13
We see 36x in Exodus 36:36-39 the words, "And he made..." he was made overseer of the entire crew. They worked together to build the tabernacle with great zeal. And the whole congregation gave freely with great zeal.
- They completed all that God had commanded, Exodus 38:42,43
Are we working with great zeal, following the pattern which Christ set for us?
- 2 Corinthians 8:7
- Galatians 6:9
- Romans 6:17
- Exodus 35:34
- 1 Corinthians 14:19
- 2 Timothy 2:2
Are you truly investing your life in the souls of others?
Bezaleel's Willingness to Follow
- Exodus 19:3,4
Are we willing to follow Jesus?
- John 12:38
There is a conditional clause in God's promises, If you obey, then you will...
- 2 Timothy 2:3, 4
When we seek to please God, obeying that form of doctrine then we can enter into that Holy rest which He has promised. The choice is yours. What will you choose?
Photo Credit: Mboesch [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], from Wikimedia Commons