Bezalel was a master craftsman, gifted by God for his work.
“Tabernacle project” (Exodis 36)
“But the people continued to bring additional gifts each morning.”
To their credit, the people really got behind the “tabernacle project”. The workmen finally had to go to Moses and tell him to have the people stop bringing in additional materials!
A stinging command (Exodus 35)
“Anyone who works on that day must be put to death.”
This is a stinging command, and one that underscores the LORD’s passionate desire for his people to respond in obedience.
No other (Exodus 34)
“For the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you.”
The God of the universe desires to have a personal relationship with us, his creatures. So much so, in fact, that he is jealous when our heart’s affections, when are deepest desires are for something other.> There is no other. “I am the Lord, and there is no other” is the central message of scripture.
Present with us (Exodus 33)
“For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.”
What do we mean when we say that the LORD – Yahweh – is present with us, his people?
He leads us. He sustains us. He impacts the world through us.
Oholiab and Bezalel (Exodus 31)
God especially gifted two crafstmen, Oholiab and Bezalel, for the work of the tabernacle.
God’s plan. God’s work. God’s passion. God’s gifts.
Solemnity of the ceremony (Exodus 29)
“This is the ceremony you must follow when you consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests.”
The solemnity of this earthly ceremony with its blood sacrifices and burnt offerings must have been awesome. And yet it pictured a far more awesome ceremony in the heavenlies, the revelation of which lay far in the future.
Sacredness of the office (Exodus 28)
“For Aaron’s sons, make tunics, sashes and special head coverings that are glorious and beautiful.”
The LORD is the beginning and the end, and he knows everything in between. When he gave this command to Moses, he knew that two of Aaron’s sons would be cut off because of their wickedness. And yet, because of the sacredness of the office they would hold, even if briefly, he orders that priestly garments be made for them.
A wonderful metaphor (Exodus 27)
“Aaron and his sons must keep the lamps burning in the Lord’s presence all night.”
This task assigned to Aaron and his sons as priests in the tabernacle is a wonderful metaphor for the inner life of a servant of God.
And we are servants too, just as Aaron and his sons were. Unworthy, at times unreliable, yet servants nonetheless.
The stamp of the image (Exodus 26)
“Embroider it with exquisite designs, using blue, purple and scarlet thread.”
When the tabernacle was completed according to the LORD’s instructions, it was a job well done.
The ability to design and create – whether tabernacles, edifices, machines, music, art or children – is one of God’s greatest gifts to mankind. It is nothing less than the stamp of the image of God.
