According to Ex. 31: 2/5 "See, I have called by name Bezaleel, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass. He is skilled in cutting of stones, to set them in place, carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship."
Have you ever heard of Bezaleel? Few people have. Yet, this important Bible character had an experience with God that should inspire and encourage each one of us.
Bezaleel was chosen as the chief architect in building the Tabernacle; he designed and executed the work and assigned work to those that God had given him. God had anointed Bezaleel to work with his hands. He was gifted for manual labor. God had not called him to preach, not was to play music or be placed on the battlefield as a soldier. God called him to build the Tabernacle.
Many people are slow to answer the call for service because they fear their work is not good enough; they feel that noticing the work is the only way to serve God. But that is not true.
God needed men like Moses, Aaron, and Joshua, but He also needed Bezaleel! The work God called him to do was of such importance that God gave him a special anointing for the task. Moses had the Spirit for administration and prophecy, Aaron had the Spirit for the priesthood, and Joshua for conquest. But Bezaleel had the Spirit for design and building.
His name means "under God's shadow." He never became the great statesman and organizer that Moses did. His voice was never heard to preach to the host of Israel. Neither was he qualified for the priesthood. He was not gifted in the military and could not accompany Joshua as he rode in the forefront of Israel's army.
Unable to preach, sing, make music, serve as a priest, or wage warfare. Yet, this man had a spiritual anointing for a specific job within a divine gift to build the Tabernacle. The Kingdom of God needs many workers in the various fields of labor. Each of us needs to find our place in the service of the Lord and accept God's anointing to fulfill that task.
If Israel had only statesmen, then who would have fought the battles? If all had been soldiers, who would have served in the priesthood? So God chose Bezaleel to this remarkable work of building a place where his presence would abide.
He was the principal workman in the Tabernacle building, the pattern of which came directly from God. When God chose Bezaleel, it shows us that the Holy Spirit is sovereign in His work. Sometimes we may question why God does things the way He does and choose some people and not others. Let us remember that his gifts are distributed severally as He wills.
As his name meant, Bezaleel worked under the shadow of the Almighty God. And through His divine grace, he was fully equipped and selected to help. Just like an obedient son, Bezaleel went forth to build the Tabernacle and all the furniture in it.
The Holy Spirit possessed this man and inspired him to prepare the temporary habitation of God. That same empowering Spirit gives every man work to do in our time. God has placed in the Kingdom preachers, teachers, musicians, and other positions that complete the work in the ministry, and all by the same Spirit.
It is a high and honorable calling to have the Spirit of Bezaleel. Regardless of the task, if you have that same anointing, you will succeed in whatever job God has assigned you to do.
To work under the shadow of the Almighty God will always bring His power; it is the anointing that breaks the yoke. If we can remember Peter's instructions and have fervent charity among ourselves, this will cover many sins.
"Use hospitality one to another without grudging, as every man that received the gift, even so, minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any may minister, let him do it as of the ability which God gives to him, that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever." 1 Peter 4: 1-2
As you study the Tabernacle building with the furniture, the candlesticks, the laver, the altar, the cloths, you will say, this had to be a God thing. For man would have been able to design and build this showplace for the presence of God to reside without the aid of the Holy Spirit.
Bezaleel would dwell beneath the shadow of the Almighty, living a life before God that was pleasing and was known as one, having the anointing to labor. When Moses referred to Bezaleel, he said, "...here is a man that God called by name. What a JOY it is to know that our names are written in the book of life and that God knows us by name.
As we search the Word of God, many have heard their calling and responded to them. Some build, some to sing, some to preach, and others teach. Some give themselves servitude to others, like the woman with just a few pennies, yet, she gave her all. Or, like Mother Theresa, who gave her entire life in servitude of the poor and suffering.
May I remind you to look deep within your hearts and see what gift you may have to offer in the service of the Lord? Everyone is gifted; we need to release it to the Lord and allow Him to use our gift for His glory.
Remember reading the parable of the talents? He gave five talents to one, and to another, he gave two, then another he gave only one. Yet, He gave to each according to their ability. The one who received the five went and traded to double his amount, and the one who received two also gained two others. But the man who received only one talent buried his. Well, you know the rest of the story, this man with the one talent said he was afraid, so he hid his in the ground. And the Lord was furious with him, called him slothful, lazy, and inactive. So, whatever talent God has given you, use it to bring glory and honor to His Holy name.
Let the Bezaleel's anointing pour on the rest of your work; it may be a peacemaker with someone, a kind word to a friend, maybe a cup of water to those who are thirsty - do it in the name of the Lord. Whatever the task, do it with all your might and soul.
GOD BLESS YOU.