See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
God personally named a man from the tribe of Judah, grandson of Hur through Uri, to lead the building of the sanctuary. He was chosen as chief architect and overseer even though Moses himself did not have the craftsman's skill the task required. God Himself designed the tabernacle and filled the chosen builder with His Spirit in wisdom, understanding, knowledge and craftsmanship to carry out every detail commanded. With him God joined Aholiab of Dan and other wise-hearted workers, giving them skill and even the power to teach, while heavenly helpers worked with them. The work shows that ability for sacred service is God's gift, given to particular persons fitted for their place and to be used humbly, faithfully and without selfishness for His glory.
Called by Name
God spoke to Moses and personally called Bezaleel by name for the work of building the tabernacle or sanctuary, identifying him as the son of Uri, the grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. The call was for a particular, specific work, an honored and demanding task, with the pledge that God would work with the builders. His calling illustrates that God entrusts different people with the gifts and abilities needed for the work to be done.
Bezaleel was appointed architect and leader of the tabernacle work. Moses himself lacked the craft skills the work required.
The caller is Christ, the Lord Jesus, giving special directions for the building. The call came as preparations were being made to build, and at the time of Israel's deliverance. The work was sacred service for erecting the tabernacle, to make everything commanded.
The choice of a man from Judah shows God's special honor for the tribe of Judah.
Equipped by God
God filled Bezaleel with the Spirit of God in wisdom and understanding and knowledge and skill in all manner of workmanship so that he could make everything commanded for the tabernacle, and the abilities needed for that honored and demanding task came from God Himself as the true source and teacher of wisdom. He was appointed architect and leader of the work, though Moses himself lacked the craft skills the work required, and the caller who named him and pledged to work with the builders was Christ the Lord giving special direction at the time of preparation and deliverance. The naming identifies him as son of Uri and grandson of Hur of the tribe of Judah, chosen personally by God for this sacred erecting of the tabernacle and sanctuary, and his selection also shows special honor for Judah. Everything done in that tabernacle was thus to represent God's perfection, with the building standing continually before more than a million people as an illustration of the perfection and completeness of Christ's work.
Though the work was carried out by human hands, it depended on wisdom and skill given by God and not on natural ability alone, for God raised up men and qualified them with more than natural ability to perform the most skillful and ingenious work. Human strength and skill and education are gifts from God, who appoints humble workers for His service, equips people for their appointed work, and gives wisdom to those who carry it out. Neither Moses nor the workmen were left to plan the form and workmanship, for God Himself devised the plan and gave exact and particular directions about size and form, materials to be used, and every article of furniture. He presented before Moses a miniature model of the heavenly sanctuary and commanded him to make all things according to the pattern shown in the mount, which Moses wrote in a book and read to the most influential of the people.
With Bezaleel God gave Aholiab son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan, and put wisdom in the hearts of all the wise-hearted to make all He commanded. That commission embraced the tabernacle of the congregation and the ark of the testimony and the mercy seat and all the furniture of the tabernacle, the table and the pure candlestick with their furniture, the altar of incense and the altar of burnt offering, the laver and his foot, the cloths of service and the holy garments of Aaron and his sons to minister in the priest's office, and the anointing oil and sweet incense for the holy place, according to all that He commanded. He also put in his heart the ability to teach alongside Aholiab, with other enabled wise-hearted workers sharing the labor, and heavenly intelligences cooperated with the workmen God chose. The specially chosen craftsman was thus endowed with skill and wisdom for the wilderness tabernacle together with divinely given wisdom for Aholiab and the other skilled workers.
The tabernacle built in the wilderness for the service of God was done under divine direction, for God was the designer and He educated Bezaleel and the other workmen for the work. He directed the work and taught the workers, so their demanding craft and hard physical labor with taxed muscle and sinew was performed with heart and soul and strength. That putting of heart and soul and strength into it was their way of showing love to God and toiling for His honor.
Heavenly Pattern Followed
Neither Moses nor the workmen were left to plan the form and workmanship of the building, for God Himself devised the plan of that sacred structure. He gave it to Moses with exact and particular directions as to its size and form, the materials to be used, and every article of furniture it was to contain. The tabernacle was thus made according to the commandment of God, and not left to human planning.
He presented before Moses a miniature model of the heavenly sanctuary. He commanded him to make all things according to the pattern shown him in the mount. Moses wrote all the directions in a book and read them to the most influential of the people.
The account belongs to the exacting skill and care God required in building the tabernacle, requiring exactness, exactitude, skill, tact, wisdom, and perfection. That tabernacle displayed His power and majesty. That standard remains for every line of service done for Him, with qualities to be brought into all work done in His service, including mechanical work. Buildings erected for Him are to honor His name through faithfulness, stability, and fitness in every part. God arranged every detail of that work and still directs work done for Him through His word, Spirit, and providence, so those who build His institutions are to seek His counsel and depend on Him, with devotion to God and a spirit of sacrifice and no selfishness woven into acceptable service.
What Tabernacle Signified
Everything connected with the tabernacle was to represent divine perfection. The structure stood continually before more than a million people as a visible illustration of the perfection and completeness of Christ's work. Its building was appointed as sacred service, with Bezaleel called by name for that holy task and filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and all manner of workmanship to make everything commanded.
That work was a special representation of the exalted character of God's service, and it also represented the sacredness of the human temple. Ability for the most skillful work is given by the Lord, who calls those already possessing qualifications of character and then adds aptitude and skill rather than leaving them to human wisdom. Those so gifted must not become exalted because of skill and aptitude, but working men are to show refinement and true Christian courtesy. The same chapter defines genuine sanctification as keeping the seventh-day Sabbath holy in order to know the Lord who sanctifies, so that even work done for the Lord under His own supervision does not set aside Sabbath observance.
How God Staffs Work
The call of Bezaleel by name, with his father, grandfather, and tribe of Judah identified, for the building of the tabernacle shows that God entrusts different people with the gifts and abilities needed for the work to be done. His appointment shows that God's work needs people with different abilities, and that skilled craftsmanship is a gift fitted to a particular task. The sacred building work was committed to particular men fitted and endowed by God for it, each to know his place and faithfully perform the special duty given him and let alone the work appointed to another.
God calls particular workers by name to do work in connection with His cause, as He called Bezaleel son of Uri son of Hur, and with the call fills them with the Spirit of God in wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and workmanship. He calls men who already have qualifications of character and then gives them aptitude and skill in all manner of workmanship, rather than leaving them to their own human wisdom. Those willing to learn and cooperate with Him receive wisdom and understanding and grow in ability to overcome difficulties. The gift is received by depending wholly upon Him and being willing to be controlled and guided by Him, working humbly in meekness and lowliness of heart with the fear of God and constant devotion, walking and working as men and women accountable to God, with angels present to help because the standard of right-doing spoken in Scripture can never be changed.
Skill in practical crafts and the common arts is a gift from God, illustrated by His calling Bezaleel by name for the work of the tabernacle and sanctuary. He gives both the gift itself and the wisdom to use the gift rightly, and stirs people to put their talents to use and give willingly. He gives people work suited to their abilities, and faithful use of those abilities even when begun on a small scale can be blessed and increased.
The tabernacle in the wilderness was done under divine direction with God Himself as designer, educating Bezaleel and the other workmen for the work. They put heart and soul and strength into it, doing hard labor with taxed muscle and sinew from love to God and toiling for His honor. The chosen men felt greatly honored to have a part assigned them in the Lord's work, and love and reverence led them to offer faithful, unselfish service, returning to Him the increase of the talents He gave, for devotion to God and a spirit of sacrifice with no selfishness woven in were essential to acceptable service. The skill conferred on Bezaleel and the other chosen craftsmen was inherited to a large degree by their descendants, who later dishonored God when they used that gift in service to heathen kings and covetousness replaced the humble, unselfish spirit of their forefathers.
Applying the Pattern Today
The call by name to practical tabernacle work shows that skill in the common arts is itself a gift from God, who gives both the gift and the wisdom to use it rightly, and therefore students are to be trained in tilling the soil, building houses, and other useful labor so they can fill useful positions in many places. Youth who are trained to connect with a branch of the Lord's work may so relate themselves to God that they will be blessed in everything they are called to do for truth, if they work humbly in meekness and lowliness of heart, with the fear of God and constant devotion, while God impresses the human mind and gives wisdom to do the work aright. Angels of light are present to help such workers, because the standard of right-doing God has spoken in Scripture can never be changed. The builders were to learn to cooperate with God and with one another as they built the sanctuary and the spiritual temple in the soul.
The same giving of tact and skill for building the tabernacle continues to His people today to do His work, with wisdom imparted to all who have a part in His cause. The gift is received by depending wholly upon Him and being willing to be controlled and guided by Him, walking and working as men and women accountable to God. God gives His own people wisdom and skill for necessary practical work and is pleased when such gifted ones are among them when providence requires erecting a meetinghouse in a locality. The same gift comes when He sends men to carry truth to people of a strange tongue, opening the minds of missionaries to learn the language quickly so natives are prepared to receive the gospel message in their own tongue.
The same God who gave the workers on the tabernacle understanding and ability for their work gives tact and intelligence for manufacturing health foods when the helpers are controlled by the Holy Spirit, enabling them to do the right kind of work in building up the tabernacle of the body. He called Bezaleel by name and appointed him for the work of building the tabernacle, and He also gives people skill and understanding for practical work, including preparing healthful foods from natural products so they can provide for the poor and teach others. The same God now gives skill and understanding in the combining of natural food products, teaching many minds in many localities how to make healthful foods. Properly combined and prepared fruits, seeds, grains, and roots become wholesome foods that bless those who cannot purchase manufactured health foods and show His people how to secure a wholesome, healthful diet.
The construction required exactness, skill, tact, wisdom, and perfection, qualities God desires in all work done in His service, including mechanical work. The exactness, skill, and wisdom God required in building the earthly tabernacle are to be brought into all work done in His service, including publishing work. God arranged every detail of that construction and made it a representation of His power and majesty, and He still directs work done for Him through His word, Spirit, and providence, so those who build His institutions are to seek His counsel and depend on Him. Work done for Him today must honor His name and must not move forward shabbily, with faithfulness, stability, and fitness seen in every line, and buildings must correspond with the providence of God and with their relation to the work to be done in other places. The skill and understanding given to the workers who built the ark and the sanctuary provide a model for seeking His wisdom and direction in building and carrying out His work.
The chosen men felt greatly honored to have a part assigned them in the Lord's work, and love and reverence for God led them to offer faithful, unselfish service, returning to Him the increase of the talents He gave. The same holds today: the capabilities God gives men and women are not to be employed for selfish advantage but to show forth His glory in the smaller as well as the larger matters of life, with Christ having a place for all sanctified ability. Christ first bestows the gift and then the power to improve it for the advancement of His cause through daily surrender of self, unselfish love, cheerful bearing of the cross of self-denial, and going apart at times to rest and commune with God to learn how to work to His greatest glory. To the one who works thus God imparts great grace with wisdom and judgment and skill to be given back to Him in willing service.
God personally named a man from the tribe of Judah, grandson of Hur through Uri, to lead the building of the sanctuary. He was chosen as chief architect and overseer even though Moses himself did not have the craftsman's skill the task required. God Himself designed the tabernacle and filled the chosen builder with His Spirit in wisdom, understanding, knowledge and craftsmanship to carry out every detail commanded. With him God joined Aholiab of Dan and other wise-hearted workers, giving them skill and even the power to teach, while heavenly helpers worked with them. The work shows that ability for sacred service is God's gift, given to particular persons fitted for their place and to be used humbly, faithfully and without selfishness for His glory.
Called by Name
God spoke to Moses and personally called Bezaleel by name for the work of building the tabernacle or sanctuary, identifying him as the son of Uri, the grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. The call was for a particular, specific work, an honored and demanding task, with the pledge that God would work with the builders. His calling illustrates that God entrusts different people with the gifts and abilities needed for the work to be done.
Bezaleel was appointed architect and leader of the tabernacle work. Moses himself lacked the craft skills the work required.
The caller is Christ, the Lord Jesus, giving special directions for the building. The call came as preparations were being made to build, and at the time of Israel's deliverance. The work was sacred service for erecting the tabernacle, to make everything commanded.
The choice of a man from Judah shows God's special honor for the tribe of Judah.
Equipped by God
God filled Bezaleel with the Spirit of God in wisdom and understanding and knowledge and skill in all manner of workmanship so that he could make everything commanded for the tabernacle, and the abilities needed for that honored and demanding task came from God Himself as the true source and teacher of wisdom. He was appointed architect and leader of the work, though Moses himself lacked the craft skills the work required, and the caller who named him and pledged to work with the builders was Christ the Lord giving special direction at the time of preparation and deliverance. The naming identifies him as son of Uri and grandson of Hur of the tribe of Judah, chosen personally by God for this sacred erecting of the tabernacle and sanctuary, and his selection also shows special honor for Judah. Everything done in that tabernacle was thus to represent God's perfection, with the building standing continually before more than a million people as an illustration of the perfection and completeness of Christ's work.
Though the work was carried out by human hands, it depended on wisdom and skill given by God and not on natural ability alone, for God raised up men and qualified them with more than natural ability to perform the most skillful and ingenious work. Human strength and skill and education are gifts from God, who appoints humble workers for His service, equips people for their appointed work, and gives wisdom to those who carry it out. Neither Moses nor the workmen were left to plan the form and workmanship, for God Himself devised the plan and gave exact and particular directions about size and form, materials to be used, and every article of furniture. He presented before Moses a miniature model of the heavenly sanctuary and commanded him to make all things according to the pattern shown in the mount, which Moses wrote in a book and read to the most influential of the people.
With Bezaleel God gave Aholiab son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan, and put wisdom in the hearts of all the wise-hearted to make all He commanded. That commission embraced the tabernacle of the congregation and the ark of the testimony and the mercy seat and all the furniture of the tabernacle, the table and the pure candlestick with their furniture, the altar of incense and the altar of burnt offering, the laver and his foot, the cloths of service and the holy garments of Aaron and his sons to minister in the priest's office, and the anointing oil and sweet incense for the holy place, according to all that He commanded. He also put in his heart the ability to teach alongside Aholiab, with other enabled wise-hearted workers sharing the labor, and heavenly intelligences cooperated with the workmen God chose. The specially chosen craftsman was thus endowed with skill and wisdom for the wilderness tabernacle together with divinely given wisdom for Aholiab and the other skilled workers.
The tabernacle built in the wilderness for the service of God was done under divine direction, for God was the designer and He educated Bezaleel and the other workmen for the work. He directed the work and taught the workers, so their demanding craft and hard physical labor with taxed muscle and sinew was performed with heart and soul and strength. That putting of heart and soul and strength into it was their way of showing love to God and toiling for His honor.
Heavenly Pattern Followed
Neither Moses nor the workmen were left to plan the form and workmanship of the building, for God Himself devised the plan of that sacred structure. He gave it to Moses with exact and particular directions as to its size and form, the materials to be used, and every article of furniture it was to contain. The tabernacle was thus made according to the commandment of God, and not left to human planning.
He presented before Moses a miniature model of the heavenly sanctuary. He commanded him to make all things according to the pattern shown him in the mount. Moses wrote all the directions in a book and read them to the most influential of the people.
The account belongs to the exacting skill and care God required in building the tabernacle, requiring exactness, exactitude, skill, tact, wisdom, and perfection. That tabernacle displayed His power and majesty. That standard remains for every line of service done for Him, with qualities to be brought into all work done in His service, including mechanical work. Buildings erected for Him are to honor His name through faithfulness, stability, and fitness in every part. God arranged every detail of that work and still directs work done for Him through His word, Spirit, and providence, so those who build His institutions are to seek His counsel and depend on Him, with devotion to God and a spirit of sacrifice and no selfishness woven into acceptable service.
What Tabernacle Signified
Everything connected with the tabernacle was to represent divine perfection. The structure stood continually before more than a million people as a visible illustration of the perfection and completeness of Christ's work. Its building was appointed as sacred service, with Bezaleel called by name for that holy task and filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and all manner of workmanship to make everything commanded.
That work was a special representation of the exalted character of God's service, and it also represented the sacredness of the human temple. Ability for the most skillful work is given by the Lord, who calls those already possessing qualifications of character and then adds aptitude and skill rather than leaving them to human wisdom. Those so gifted must not become exalted because of skill and aptitude, but working men are to show refinement and true Christian courtesy. The same chapter defines genuine sanctification as keeping the seventh-day Sabbath holy in order to know the Lord who sanctifies, so that even work done for the Lord under His own supervision does not set aside Sabbath observance.
How God Staffs Work
The call of Bezaleel by name, with his father, grandfather, and tribe of Judah identified, for the building of the tabernacle shows that God entrusts different people with the gifts and abilities needed for the work to be done. His appointment shows that God's work needs people with different abilities, and that skilled craftsmanship is a gift fitted to a particular task. The sacred building work was committed to particular men fitted and endowed by God for it, each to know his place and faithfully perform the special duty given him and let alone the work appointed to another.
God calls particular workers by name to do work in connection with His cause, as He called Bezaleel son of Uri son of Hur, and with the call fills them with the Spirit of God in wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and workmanship. He calls men who already have qualifications of character and then gives them aptitude and skill in all manner of workmanship, rather than leaving them to their own human wisdom. Those willing to learn and cooperate with Him receive wisdom and understanding and grow in ability to overcome difficulties. The gift is received by depending wholly upon Him and being willing to be controlled and guided by Him, working humbly in meekness and lowliness of heart with the fear of God and constant devotion, walking and working as men and women accountable to God, with angels present to help because the standard of right-doing spoken in Scripture can never be changed.
Skill in practical crafts and the common arts is a gift from God, illustrated by His calling Bezaleel by name for the work of the tabernacle and sanctuary. He gives both the gift itself and the wisdom to use the gift rightly, and stirs people to put their talents to use and give willingly. He gives people work suited to their abilities, and faithful use of those abilities even when begun on a small scale can be blessed and increased.
The tabernacle in the wilderness was done under divine direction with God Himself as designer, educating Bezaleel and the other workmen for the work. They put heart and soul and strength into it, doing hard labor with taxed muscle and sinew from love to God and toiling for His honor. The chosen men felt greatly honored to have a part assigned them in the Lord's work, and love and reverence led them to offer faithful, unselfish service, returning to Him the increase of the talents He gave, for devotion to God and a spirit of sacrifice with no selfishness woven in were essential to acceptable service. The skill conferred on Bezaleel and the other chosen craftsmen was inherited to a large degree by their descendants, who later dishonored God when they used that gift in service to heathen kings and covetousness replaced the humble, unselfish spirit of their forefathers.
Applying the Pattern Today
The call by name to practical tabernacle work shows that skill in the common arts is itself a gift from God, who gives both the gift and the wisdom to use it rightly, and therefore students are to be trained in tilling the soil, building houses, and other useful labor so they can fill useful positions in many places. Youth who are trained to connect with a branch of the Lord's work may so relate themselves to God that they will be blessed in everything they are called to do for truth, if they work humbly in meekness and lowliness of heart, with the fear of God and constant devotion, while God impresses the human mind and gives wisdom to do the work aright. Angels of light are present to help such workers, because the standard of right-doing God has spoken in Scripture can never be changed. The builders were to learn to cooperate with God and with one another as they built the sanctuary and the spiritual temple in the soul.
The same giving of tact and skill for building the tabernacle continues to His people today to do His work, with wisdom imparted to all who have a part in His cause. The gift is received by depending wholly upon Him and being willing to be controlled and guided by Him, walking and working as men and women accountable to God. God gives His own people wisdom and skill for necessary practical work and is pleased when such gifted ones are among them when providence requires erecting a meetinghouse in a locality. The same gift comes when He sends men to carry truth to people of a strange tongue, opening the minds of missionaries to learn the language quickly so natives are prepared to receive the gospel message in their own tongue.
The same God who gave the workers on the tabernacle understanding and ability for their work gives tact and intelligence for manufacturing health foods when the helpers are controlled by the Holy Spirit, enabling them to do the right kind of work in building up the tabernacle of the body. He called Bezaleel by name and appointed him for the work of building the tabernacle, and He also gives people skill and understanding for practical work, including preparing healthful foods from natural products so they can provide for the poor and teach others. The same God now gives skill and understanding in the combining of natural food products, teaching many minds in many localities how to make healthful foods. Properly combined and prepared fruits, seeds, grains, and roots become wholesome foods that bless those who cannot purchase manufactured health foods and show His people how to secure a wholesome, healthful diet.
The construction required exactness, skill, tact, wisdom, and perfection, qualities God desires in all work done in His service, including mechanical work. The exactness, skill, and wisdom God required in building the earthly tabernacle are to be brought into all work done in His service, including publishing work. God arranged every detail of that construction and made it a representation of His power and majesty, and He still directs work done for Him through His word, Spirit, and providence, so those who build His institutions are to seek His counsel and depend on Him. Work done for Him today must honor His name and must not move forward shabbily, with faithfulness, stability, and fitness seen in every line, and buildings must correspond with the providence of God and with their relation to the work to be done in other places. The skill and understanding given to the workers who built the ark and the sanctuary provide a model for seeking His wisdom and direction in building and carrying out His work.
The chosen men felt greatly honored to have a part assigned them in the Lord's work, and love and reverence for God led them to offer faithful, unselfish service, returning to Him the increase of the talents He gave. The same holds today: the capabilities God gives men and women are not to be employed for selfish advantage but to show forth His glory in the smaller as well as the larger matters of life, with Christ having a place for all sanctified ability. Christ first bestows the gift and then the power to improve it for the advancement of His cause through daily surrender of self, unselfish love, cheerful bearing of the cross of self-denial, and going apart at times to rest and commune with God to learn how to work to His greatest glory. To the one who works thus God imparts great grace with wisdom and judgment and skill to be given back to Him in willing service.