Spirit-Empowered Skill

During the past couple of weeks, I've been focused on diving into Scripture to learn more about what it means to "Abide" in Christ. The study expanded to explore the relationship between "Abiding" and "Sacred Space." It's been fascinating as more and more rabbit holes appeared, leading in directions I never anticipated. This blog post is the result of one of those rabbit holes, but one that is rich beyond my expectations.

The Presence of YHWH in the wilderness tabernacle suddenly grabbed my attention. I recall past years, when teaching studies on the tabernacle, I would build detailed models to help people understand its intricate, spirit-led design as described in Exodus. There was not one detail that was without purpose. Once everything was completed according to the prescribed pattern or design, the presence of YHWH came to dwell among His people.

While reviewing all the details, two of my favorite people in the Torah came to mind: Bezalel and Oholiab, but mainly Bezalel. Why? I'm not sure, except there was something about him that resonated with me. Perhaps it was his creative spirit! Actually, that's exactly what it was and still is!

The way Scripture is worded, it appears he may never have felt creative or useful to YHWH until he was "filled with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every skilled craft" (Exodus 25:30-33 emphasis added).

There are different directions I could take with this, but for now, let's just consider that it was the Spirit of God that filled Bezalel with the ability to lead the creative aspect of the tabernacle construction project.

I began to research this a little further and, guess what! Bezalel was the FIRST person recorded in Scripture as being filled with the Holy Spirit.* Notice that he was filled to do one thing: skillfully and intelligently design the details of the dwelling place of YHWH. It was works of art and craftsmanship that prepared the tabernacle where YHWH's presence was to dwell ... where He would abide with mankind.

The details of the inner sanctuary were specifically designed to echo Eden, where the divine presence of YHWH dwelt with man. The furniture in the Inner Court. The embroidered cherubim on the curtains. The light from the candlestick, and so much more! Bezalel functioned as a Spirit-filled "creator" called, filled, and anointed by YHWH.

In the middle of the wilderness, a tabernacle (sacred space) was constructed to bring order in the midst of chaos. While other ancient cultures reserved divine inspiration for kings, priests, or prophets, they learned skills from their "gods". YHWH, however, filled Bezalel with the talent and intelligence to create sacred space by Spirit-empowered skill. In Israel, beauty and craftsmanship were theological acts, not magic or mystical knowledge.

I'll stop here for now. My mind is flooded with so much right now, and I don't want to mislead anyone, but I need to allow all this to settle, to pray for more clarity and understanding, and to allow this to challenge my heart in ways I find myself struggling lately.

I look forward to developing this topic more and sharing it with you. In the meantime, however, before I share more, let the beauty of His presence be engraved on the walls of your heart that YHWH's presence may shine in and through you.  Amen!

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© 2016 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

Additional Reading
https://janross.org/living-where-god-dwells/

YouTube Sermon on "Abide"
https://youtu.be/d4Z5n8gv4-U?si=IZ8aardzZf-Q5jFE (Begin at 13:30)