There’s a fascinating Bible story about two people, along with some lessons for us today, that I want to share:
Tucked away near the end of Exodus, we learn some critical things about two Israelites, Bezalel and Oholiab:
“…I have called by name Bezalel…I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship…And behold, I Myself have appointed with him Oholiab…and in the hearts of all who are skillful I have put skill, that they may make all that I have commanded you: the tent of meeting, and the ark of testimony, and the mercy seat upon it, and all the furniture of the tent, the table also and its utensils, and the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, and the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering also with all its utensils, and the laver and its stand, the woven garments as well, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, with which to carry on their priesthood; the anointing oil also, and the fragrant incense for the holy place, they are to make them according to all that I have commanded you.” Exodus 31:1-11
A few observations:
- God filled these men with His Spirit.
- God gave them a Divine mission.
- God supplied the resources to accomplish the mission.
Now, it’s really important to point out that this task was not just to build any tent, to construct just any altar, or ark, and more. God commissioned the building of the place where He would condescend to forgive the sins of His people. Indeed, this was not just any mission, but one that required supernatural enablement. No mere man would even know where to begin. And so, God fills, guides, and supplies all their needs to accomplish His Divine building project. Let’s examine each.
Filling
Notice that the Divine filling engaged wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. It is one thing to know about things, or even to understand things. It’s completely different to have knowledge and understanding along with wisdom or the skill to apply what you know and understand.
God’s Spirit filled these two men to accomplish a Divine task, and it was His Spirit that, along with their skill, carried out the plans and design previously given to Moses (Exodus 25:8-9, 40).
Mission
The project God expected them to complete was to make the particular physical space conducive to God’s presence dwelling with men. God commissioned humans, broken and flawed, yet Spirit-filled, to carry out the work required for God’s holy presence to dwell. Later, we learn that the high priest would sprinkle blood on the ark to be built by these men, and God would forgive their sin (Leviticus 16-17).
Indeed, this place housed the Holy of Holies and served as the white-hot center of Israel’s worship. It was here that God would transact His Divine reconciliation and redemption, pointing forward to its fulfillment in Christ.
Resources
Before Israel left Egypt, the Egyptians supplied them with all kinds of treasures (Exodus 12:35-36). We’re talking about silver and gold for clothing. In addition to this, the Israelites, out of their freewill offerings, provided resources for the construction of this Tent of Meeting, and more. Thus, God, through various means, supplied Israel with the resources to accomplish His mission.
How Does This Apply To Us Today?
What is our Divine mission today?
I’ll list three: (1) Make disciples (Matthew 28:18-19), (2) gather in local assemblies to worship, grow, and mature (Heb. 10:24-25, Eph. 4:11-16, and 2 Tim. 4:1-2), and (3) love one another (John 13:34-35).
What fills us to accomplish this Divine mission today?
Two aspects: (1) Saving: God’s Holy Spirit, received by grace through faith. Now, a dead soul has life (Eph. 2:1-3). (2) Enabling: Grace is God’s Divine resource supplied to followers of Christ to accomplish His mission. Now, a saved soul is empowered. Notice Paul’s understanding of grace as God’s enabling power to accomplish His Divine work: “…I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ.” Eph. 3:7–8 (see also Rom. 15:15–16, and 2 Cor. 12:9).
How does God resource us today?
Two ways: (1) God uniquely resources His people with gifts to build up His body: “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly…” Romans 12:6a. (2) Additionally, God uses our physical resources (financial, mental, dispositional, etc.) to accomplish His mission. Spiritual gifts or resources supplied by God, working in unison with our unique physical aspects, accomplish God’s mission on earth
Conclusion
Christ left us to send His Spirit to empower us to fulfill His mission of building His Church, the temple of God. Like Bezalel of old, we are filled, skilled, and divinely resourced to accomplish this mission. We must therefore be bold, pray for boldness, for the enemy is formidable and the task is impossible without God’s help.
Lord, help us. Everyday. Amen.
— March 26, 2026