Bezaleel Exodus 37, 38, 39 The Doing

Exodus 37:1 "And Bezaleel made the ark... v6...and he made the mercy seat...v7 ...and he made two cherubim...v10...and he made the table v12..also he made thereunto a border v15 and he made the staves..v16...and he made the vessels v17 and he made the candlestick of pure gold v23 ...and he made his seven lamps v25...and he made the incense altar v27 and he made two rings of gold v28 and he made the staves v29 and he made the holy anointing oil..."

We revisit Bezaleel from chapter 31 verse 2. were the Lord told Moses about the call of the son of Uri, the son of Hur of the tribe of Judah. Look at verse 3

"And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship."

In chapter 31 we have the call and the abilities given to do what is commanded. In chapter 37 and 38 we see that Bezaleel was indeed given the wisdom to do all manner of things. I started off as I did above to emphasize that this man was able to make all kinds of items needed to build the sanctuary.

We are starting to see a sort of division of tasks. Moses is the leader and the spokesman for the Lord to the people. Aaron is the priest and concerned with keeping the offerings and such in order. Bezaleel is given the job of making what is needed.

The phrase 'and he made' is prominent in many verses. That was his command and he was faithful. He did have someone with him Chapter 38 v23 his name was Aholiab who was an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen.

Chapter 38:21"This is the sum of the tabernacle, even of the tabernacle of testimony, as it was counted, according to the commandment of Moses for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son to Aaron the priest. Witnesses are also listed.

Gold: v24 29 talents, thirty shekels
Silver:v25 200 talents, thousand,seven-hundred,threescore and fifteen shekels
Brass:v29 70 talents, 2400 shekels

Then as they put it together more people are involved. Many verses have ...and they..." to show this.

v30 "And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD."

V43 "And Moses did look upon all the work, and behold, they had done it as the Lord had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them."

We have zipped through three chapters not because they are less important but because they should be read through. I believe one lesson from chapter 31 and these chapters is in Bezaleel who was called for a particular purpose and appropriately equipped to do the job. Also that the job was completed.

We should remember that the purpose for all this work is so the Lord will have a place among the people as they travel and camp on the way to the promised land.

It is unfortunate that sometimes we get so intent on the doing that we forget the purpose for the doing. It is not so the workman can be remembered but so that the Lord may be honored.

Ezekiel 11:19-20 "And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: that they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God."