Scripture
1“The Lord has gifted Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other skilled craftsmen with wisdom and ability to perform any task involved in building the sanctuary. Let them construct and furnish the Tabernacle, just as the Lord has commanded.” 2So Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and all the others who were specially gifted by the Lord and were eager to get to work. Exodus 36:1-2
Observation
When I think about the men and women who were anointed of God in the Old Testament my mind rarely, if ever, goes to Bezelel and Oholiab. In fact, if I listed them along with Moses, David, and Deborah many would would probably say, “who?” Yet, the same Holy Spirit let anointed Moses to lead God’s people out of slavery, and empowered David to conquer Goliath, and gave Deborah the wisdom to lead God’s people to victory in battle, is the same spirit that anointed Bezelel and Oholiab to build the meeting place of God. Notice the language says they were “specially gifted by the Lord”. In other words, they were made for this! They were made to make the meeting the Tabernacle and they were eager to do get to work! This is the rare and beautiful alignment of occupation and calling!
Application
Our twins Justice and Jaxon have had a pretty epic week. The same week they turned 16, they passed their drivers tests, and interviewed for a job a Jenni’s Ice Cream. Though they have pretty much done every thing together since the womb we prepared them for the reality that the manager had said she could really only hire one. Cyndi and I prayed that she would be so impressed by their interviews that she would hire both. Well, as it turns out that’s exactly what happened. I sat down with them today before their first day at the shop to talk through the importance of this gift and the responsibilities ahead. We read Ephesians 6:7 together, “Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” I said, “when you are on the job you represent Christ first and then the Burgess family so give it all you’ve got. That means that when you work it’s as much a worship to the Lord as when you lead worship at Church. You are fulfilling your calling to represent Christ no matter what you’re doing or who is watching. You occupation is what you get paid for but your calling is what you were made for.” Now, I don’t think either of them is planning on making a career out of scooping ice cream, though there are worse jobs, but for now they are eager to work! It reminded me of all of the amazing men and women showing up to work this morning from The Father’s House. From school teachers to city council members, from mechanics to engineering, from architects to artists, from real estate agents to administrators, we have Bezelel’s and Oholiab’s showing up to show Jesus. Their pulpits may not look like mine, but the message their handiwork and craftsmanship reveals the anointing of God just as much!
Prayer
Monday’s are never easy. I pray that, just like my boys on their first day of work, You would restore a vision to your people beyond the paycheck. That we would be eager to get to work as we are really working for You! Forgive us for “quiet quitting” or just going through the motions. Though all of us don’t necessarily have an alignment of occupations we are gifted for we are all called to bring to You glory through everything we do! “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col 3:17) I pray for favor and provision for each of your children as we put You first and work in the anointing and gifting You’ve given us!
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