What does Exodus 37:8 teach about using our skills for God's glory? Setting the scene The tabernacle’s most sacred piece of furniture—the mercy seat—was crafted by Bezalel, a man “filled with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship” (Exodus 31:3). Exodus 37:8 captures a snapshot of his work: “one cherub on one end and a second cherub on the other end; both were of one piece with the mercy seat.” What the verse says • Two cherubim were hammered out of pure gold. • They were positioned at opposite ends. • They were “of one piece” with the mercy seat—no seams, no separate parts, total integration. Observations about skillful service • Remarkable precision: Hammering delicate, three-dimensional figures from a single sheet of gold demanded consummate skill. • Complete unity: The cherubim were not added on later; they were inseparable from the mercy seat. • Exact obedience: Bezalel followed God’s blueprint to the letter (cf. Exodus 25:18-19). • Spirit-empowered craftsmanship: His talents were gifts, not merely natural abilities (Exodus 35:31-33). Principles for using our skills for God’s glory • God is the source of every ability. “Every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). • Excellence honors the Lord. Bezalel’s flawless work reflects Proverbs 22:29: “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand in the presence of kings.” • Unity matters. Like the cherubim joined to the mercy seat, our efforts are to be seamlessly joined to God’s purposes, not detached side projects. • Obedience guides creativity. True artistry flourishes within God’s revealed pattern (John 14:15). • Our work becomes worship. The mercy seat was the focal point of atonement; Bezalel’s craft directly served God’s redemptive plan. New Testament echoes • Colossians 3:23-24: “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being… It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” • 1 Peter 4:10-11: “Each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve others… so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” • Ephesians 2:10: “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.” Practical takeaways • Identify your God-given abilities and acknowledge His ownership of them. • Pursue craftsmanship—spiritual, relational, intellectual, vocational—that refuses mediocrity. • Keep your contribution inseparably linked to God’s mission: building up His people and proclaiming His gospel. • Follow Scripture’s pattern; let biblical principles shape both method and outcome. • Trust the Spirit to empower your efforts, just as He empowered Bezalel. Encouragement for today When skill and surrender meet, ordinary work becomes sacred. Exodus 37:8 shows that God not only welcomes excellence—He commissions it. Your abilities, forged into one piece with His purposes, can frame a living testimony of His glory here and now. |
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