Exodus 30-32; Acts 8

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze.” Exodus 31:1-4

One of the most beautiful aspects of the body of Christ is the incredible God-given gifts that we see throughout the church. Here, the scripture notes a man named Bezalel who the Lord tells Moses “I have filled him (meaning Bezalel) with the Spirit of God…to design artistic works”. The Spirit of God filled this man with the wisdom, understanding, knowledge and workmanship to be artistic. Now there are two things I think when I read this portion. First, wow, I would have liked to have seen what Bezalel designed. Can you imagine how beautiful that temple was? When we were standing on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem a couple of years ago I closed my eyes and tried to imagine the grandeur of what the temple must have been like in all of it’s glory—the processionals, the architect, the artistry. Nothing Hollywood has ever imagined or produced even comes close to the pageantry of God’s glory in the temple. That’s the second thing that comes to mind---the glory of God in the temple. Imagine the Spirit of God on these artisan’s to do the work God had ordained them to do? Now, when the temple was done and the pageantry begins and the glory of God filled that place, it had to have been incredible. We have each been given gifts to be used for God’s glory but we need to be filled with the Spirit of God with wisdom, understanding and knowledge. That is my prayer today, “Lord, thank you for the gifts you have given me. Anoint me with Your Spirit and give me wisdom, understanding and knowledge to use these gifts to bring glory to Your name.” Amen

Carol Danna

Next reading: Exodus 33-34; Ps 16; Acts 9