Perfect by Design
If there ever was an overlooked Bible hero, it was Bezalel. Sunday school songs about heroes like Noah and Joshua are ingrained in my memory. But Bezalel’s story is not included in children’s Bible storybooks, he is rarely preached about, and I was well into my thirties before I ever noticed how remarkable he was.
Bezalel first appears in Exodus 31 when God tells Moses:
See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and ability, in understanding and intelligence, and in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to devise skillful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in bronze, and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of craftsmanship. (Exodus 31: 2-5 AMP)
Bezalel possessed wisdom, ability, understanding, intelligence, and knowledge. He was a master craftsman in gold, silver, bronze, stones and jewels, wood carving, and various other handiwork. Bezalel was created and called by the Master Craftsman Himself, who gifted him with these abilities and filled him with the Holy Spirit of God, to create masterpieces of skill and artistry. Bezalel led his team to craft the Tent of Meeting, the ark with its mercy seat and cherubim, the table of the showbread, the lampstands, incense altar and the incense, the anointing oil, altar for burnt offerings, the utensils and vessels used by the priests, the laver and its base, the embroidered hangings, and the priestly garments which included the ephod, breastplate, robe, tunics, turban, and sash (Ex. 31:7-11, Ex. 37-40). They made all of these items with materials they had plundered from the Egyptians at the time of the Exodus, and accomplished this in the middle of the wilderness.
The miraculous completion of these exquisite items makes me wonder why Bezalel was omitted from the list of Bible heroes. However, his most remarkable trait was not on his impressive resume. It was obedience to God’s plan that set Bezalel apart. The completion of Bezalel’s work is noted in Exodus 39, and its culmination in Exodus 40:
According to all that the Lord had commanded Moses, so the Israelites had done all the work. And Moses inspected all the work, and behold, they had done it; as the Lord had commanded, so had they done it. And Moses blessed them … So Moses finished the work. Then the cloud [the Shekinah, God’s visible presence] covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle! (Exodus 39:42-43, 40:33b-34 AMP)
Bezalel and the craftsmen completed each item as God had commanded. Each element was crafted specifically for the purpose of worshipping God, and was created according to God’s design and specifications. When the completed items were in their proper place, God’s presence filled the tabernacle.
While the Bible reveals Bezalel’s lengthy list of abilities, his obedience preceded God’s presence in the tabernacle. Whereas self-importance and ego often accompany great talent, Bezalel’s feat of craftsmanship was attained by deference. His primary task entailed explicitly following the patterns God gave to Moses. The items were not made according to the design, preference, or artistry of the craftsman. Rather, they were created in accordance with God’s precise instructions. There was no room for interpretation, innovation, or invention. There were no allowances for personal style or inclination. “As the Lord had commanded, so had they done it” (Ex. 39:43). Obedience resulted in items that fit perfectly and functioned together as a tabernacle filled with God’s presence.
I desire an overwhelming fullness—God’s presence so obvious to onlookers that it is as visible as a physical cloud surrounding me. Therefore, I am compelled to evaluate my own obedience to God. Am I ordering my life exactly as God designed? Am I using what God has put in my hands according to His plan and for His glory? God’s word provides His design for holy living and true worship, and at the center of God’s design is the willingness to obey Him, to trust Him, and to follow His perfect plan.
Though our gifting may be different than Bezalel’s, through obedience we can also be heroes of the faith. Our lives, dedicated to serving and worshipping God, lived in obedience to God’s word and His call, can be ever filled with the miraculous, abiding presence of God. My prayer is that, like Bezalel, God fills us with His Spirit and equips us with supernatural ability, wisdom, intelligence, understanding, and knowledge through which we will build His kingdom until He returns!