Day 42 – Exodus 36-38

Talking Points

• The work on the tabernacle and all of its furnishings is completed by people God gifted with skill and understanding.
• The people brought their freewill offerings in response to God and what He was doing. Impressed by God, the money they brought was actually “much more than enough” for the cost of construction (36:5). The people were even restrained from bringing more! Even though the cost was tremendous, using much gold, silver, and bronze, the outpouring from the people was abundant. I have to think God was blessed by this. May our lives be spent giving extravagantly to the glory of God.

Thoughts

The story of two men struck me — Bezalel and Oholiab. They were not priests. They were not of the tribe of Levi (one was of Judah and the other Dan). They were not prophets. They would not meet with God in the tent of meeting like Moses, nor would they speak like Aaron. They would not lead the nation to witness great feats of God. No, instead, they were skilled laborers — craftsman who worked for the Lord. The Bible says God had gifted them, and they used that skill to bless the name of the one true God. And, God records their names in His Word!

The account reports their works. Bezalel actually builds the ark. And, then, long after his work is complete, the ark is carried across the Jordan River. It is carried into battle, striking fear in the hearts of Israel’s enemies and encouraging God’s people. Later, it is carried by David into Jerusalem. It is placed in the most holy place in the temple by Solomon. It is before this ark that the yearly sin offering was made. And, it was this same ark that was revealed when the veil was torn as Jesus died.

Their work glorified God long after they put down their tools. What if the same could be said of us? Today, let us commit, with hearts stirred, to live out our lives glorifying God.