February 23, 2014 · Exodus 35:29–35

Creativity and Work

All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the Lord freewill offerings for all the work the Lord through Moses had commanded them to do. Then Moses said to the Israelites, "See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills…

“That's how powerful this thing they're about to create becomes. I always think that's really amazing: that an artifact crafted by human hands becomes something that cannot be touched by human hands. It's so holy. … But the community is engaged in activity together. They're being led by two men who are guided by the Spirit to direct this collective work. They're given a common task: build me the temple of God — or the tabernacle of God; the tent of God. God cares about construction workers. God honours the trades. He even goes so far as to have the Holy Spirit come upon people and infuse them with the very creative talents it takes for this community to build this tent, and this ark, and these instruments. This is the story of Bezalel and Oholiab. "Then Moses said to the Israelites, See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, with knowledge, and with all kinds of skills to make artistic designs for work in gold and silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts." So once this creative assignment is given to the collective people — make a tent to meet God — the Holy Spirit actually comes down on people and empowers them to do it. And especially two men, who are to lead the charge. And the captain of the team is Bezalel, the son of Uri. This is the great-grandson of Caleb.”