Truths About Spriritual Gifts Series

TRUTHS ABOUT SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Scripture reading

Exodus 31:1-11 (NIV) "Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. 6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you: 7 the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent— 8 the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense,9 the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand— 10 and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, 11 and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you.”

We are now in chapter 31 of the Book of Exodus.

This is the chapter that talks about the Lord choosing Bezalel, son of Hur, to make artistic designs for the Tabernacle.

It is said that that Lord filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and all kinds of skills.

He can work in gold, in silver and in bronze to cut and set stones.

He can also work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.

In addition, God has also appointed and given special skills and talents to Oholiab, son of Ahisamak to assist him.

Together, they have been given the ability to make the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant, and all the other furnishings of the tent.

They will also make the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories.

They will also make the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron and his sons servings as priests.

Then, they will make the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place.

All of these will be according to the commands of the Lord.

He was to build the Tabernacle or dwelling place for the divine presence from the time of the Exodus from Egypt to the conquering of the land of Canaan.

It was built of gold, silver, brass, furs, jewels and other valuable materials according to the specifications revealed by God.

This Tabernacle was transported by the Israelites on their journey through the wilderness and their conquest of the Promised Land.

It had an inner shrine (named Holy of Holies) housing the Ark if the Covenant and an outer chamber (Holy Place).

Notice that God picked a man named Bezalel to be in charge of the work of building the Tabernacle.

The Hebrew word, "Bezalel" means "in the shadow of God."

That means that this man has been prepared and commissioned by God for this very purpose.

He has been given certain qualifications for the task to which he is called.

He is filled with the the Spirit and he has the skill, the knowledge and the ability in all of the required fields.

His assistant is Oholiab, it means "God is my tent."

He too has been filled with all kinds of skills to work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet fine linen and weavers.

In addition to Bezalel and Oholiab, God has prepared many others to do the work of constructing the Tabernacle.

It is important to note that they have received their gifts from God and they are to use them according to God's specific command.

If you look at chapter 36 of Exodus, here is a continuation about the work of Bezalel and Oholiab.

When Moses summoned all those who would like to give their gifts for the building of the Tabernacle, many came and responded.

It was during that time when the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning.

Out of their reserves, the people gave more than was needed to the work of building the tabernacle.

It was a wonderful thing to note about the cooperation and the unity when God's people use their gifts for God's purposes.

Today, we are going to talk about the truths about spiritual gifts.

We believe that God has given us a wide variety of gifts to fulfill the Mission of the Church.

Every Christian has at least one gift which can be developed and use in the Body.