Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 35:30-35.

“Then Moses said to the sons of Israel, “See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.  And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding and in knowledge and in all craftsmanship;  to make designs for working in gold and in silver and in bronze, and in the cutting of stones for settings and in the carving of wood, so as to perform in every inventive work.  He also has put in his heart to teach, both he and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.  He has filled them with skill to perform every work of an engraver and of a designer and of an embroiderer, in blue and in purple and in scarlet material, and in fine linen, and of a weaver, as performers of every work and makers of designs.”  Exodus 35:30-35.

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Today’s Scripture reminds us of some verses from a prior devotion.  

First, we see that the LORD “called” Bezalel and Oholiab to do work involving craftsmanship.  “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

Second, we see that the LORD “also has put in his heart to teach”.  “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.  

But, we also see the following two specific elements of this spiritual gift:  wisdom (which also includes understanding and knowledge) and skill.

The following Scriptures give us hope that God will also give us wisdom and skill to perform the work for which He has called us to do. As the concluding Scriptures state, there are varieties of gifts. We are not called to do the same work. We do not have the same wisdom nor the same skill to do the same work.  We do different work.   

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”  James 1:5. 

“And behold, I Myself have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan;  and in the hearts of all who are skillful I have put skill, that they may make all that I have commanded you:”  Exodus 35:6.

“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.  …  

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;  until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:7 and 11-13.

“All are not apostles, are they?  All are not prophets, are they?  All are not teachers, are they?  All are not workers of miracles, are they?  All do not have gifts of healings, do they?  All do not speak with tongues, do they?  All do not interpret, do they?”  1 Corinthians 12:29-30.

But, there is no division between those who work with their hands and those who work with their heads.

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.  There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.  But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.  …  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”  1 Corinthians 12:4-7 and 11.