Build Something
Read This Week: Exodus 37
Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. He overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it. He cast four gold rings for it and fastened them to its four feet. – Exodus 37:1-3 NIV
Exodus 37 details the construction of sacred items for the Tabernacle that we were introduced to in chapter 36. Bezalel, the adept craftsman, is at the center of the work, and his efforts show us more than just a record of furniture-building and artisan skill. It is a testimony of the precision, devotion, and beauty of obedience to God’s commands and following Him according to the design He lays out.
Bezalel, who was chosen by God and filled with His Spirit (Exodus 31:1-5), was not merely constructing objects. He was fulfilling divine instructions with excellence and passion to serve the Lord. Each piece he made was crafted according to the detailed blueprint given to Moses, showing that God values faithfulness in the most minor details. The Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Golden Lampstand, and the Altar of Incense are not just ancient artifacts but sacred symbols of God’s presence and provision.
The Ark, overlaid with pure gold and adorned with cherubim, was the physical representation of God’s earthly throne. The Table of Showbread symbolizes God’s ongoing love and attention to the needs of His people, emphasizing our need for dependence on Him. The Golden Lampstand provided light in the holy place, representing the guidance and illumination of truth and the guidance of God’s presence in our lives. The Altar of Incense signified the prayers of the people rising to heaven, a beautiful reminder of the connection between God and His people that we can experience daily.
Just like the last chapter of our study, we see that excellence is a spiritual thing. Bezalel’s craftsmanship was meticulous, showing that work, when done with diligence and faithfulness, is worship. No matter what we attempt or are called to, we should strive for excellence as a reflection of God’s heart and character.
Every measurement and material used aligned with God’s instructions. This shows that obedience to God’s Word, even in what seems like minor details, leads to something greater than we can foresee in our finite thinking and plans. It is not about personal preference or the ideas we have laid out but about submitting to Father God’s divine wisdom to fulfill a greater purpose. We often want to improvise or take shortcuts, but true fulfillment comes in following Jesus’ design.
Bezalel was filled with the Spirit to accomplish the task ahead. Likewise, when God calls us to something, He always provides the necessary skills, gifting, resources, and pathway to fulfill it. This example should encourage us in times of doubt, knowing that God does not send us into assignments unprepared. He supplies the wisdom, strength, and perseverance needed to accomplish His mission.
The items constructed in Exodus 37 were meant to encourage worship and reverence. We are challenged to consider how we create sacred spaces in our own lives, whether in our homes, workplaces, or churches, to keep our focus on God. It asks: do we cultivate an environment where worship and prayer are priorities, or do distractions take over? Just as the Israelites designated holy objects, we can also establish discipline, practices, and places that draw us closer to God.
As we reflect on God’s word in this Week in the Life, we should consider how we approach our own work and responsibilities. Are we diligent and faithful, knowing that even the smallest tasks can be an act of worship? Are we aligning our actions with God’s instructions, trusting that obedience leads to His success and more significant outcomes?
We should think and pray about how we use our God-given skills and if we steward them wisely and dedicate them to something meaningful instead of wasting them or underutilizing them. Like Bezalel, we all have a role in building something that glorifies God – whether it’s a physical creation, a ministry, a business, or an act of service. May we use our God-given abilities to build something that honors the Lord, demonstrating excellence, obedience, and devotion in all we do.