THE LORD’S WORKMEN

Exodus 31:1-18

Friday, 13 February 2026

"See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship…”-Exodus 31:2-3

We are living in a day and age when professional excellence is seen in all spheres of life. There are specialists in all sorts of trade. It is the same with God's work. He uses specific people for very specific work in His Kingdom. He calls, fills and appoints them for their life’s calling. The gifts and talents required are all provided by God and the enablement of it also comes from God.

An interesting fact we notice here is that our God is very much artistic and creative and every aspect of creativity in each of us is a part of God’s gift to us. Thus, the spark of creativity in us should be channelized for design and work that brings glory to God!

Here in this 31st chapter of Exodus we read that God appoints certain people for the task of building His first sanctuary- the Tabernacle. The blueprint was shown to Moses on the mountain, but Moses was not the one called to build it physically; God had His workmen. So, He directs Moses to appoint certain men who were anointed with the Spirit of God, in Wisdom, in Understanding, in Knowledge and in all manner of Workmanship. God is never short of workmen in all the ages, for His work. He has them all ready for service.

The names of the ones called by God gives us an indication about some qualities of these men God called for His work:

• Bezalel means 'in the shadow of God.'* Service of God can be done only in dependence on Him and not in one’s own strength; not by our natural plans and schemes. 

• Aholiab means ‘Tent of the Father’-describes one who lives closely with God, the Father of His people.* One needs to hear from God what and how He desires His work to be done.

In the same manner, let us prepare ourselves to serve Him, understanding the nature of God's precious work. This chapter also gives us an understanding of another important aspect in the work of God- that is the Sabbath rest. Anyone who is working for God must have this inner rest of the soul. We by nature are full of our own ideas and schemes. But when the spirit of rest enters us, we are changed and we will cease from striving in our own way. God will lead us peacefully to fulfill His work in His own way. God works His work in His pace and in His time with whomsoever He chooses for that work. 

Eph.2:10 says very plainly that -we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. So just as the men of the past had built a physical tabernacle, we are called today to build the spiritual house of God - not in our own wisdom and strategies but filled with the Holy Spirit and prayer. 

The men worked together as they put the tabernacle up as a place for the presence of God. Each worked according to his calling and skills. No one strived to replace the other. In the same manner, as described in 1Cor.12 &14, we are called to work in unity as a Body of Christ. There is no competition but a complementing of one another for all that God is doing collectively through us. 

God has called us to arise and build— let us take our place in God's Kingdom work and bring glory to His name, who called us through His Son and enables us through His Spirit. 

Today, may we make a commitment to God- lets pray:

Prayer: Abba Father, I thank you for calling me. Fill me and enable me to do your will in my life for your glory. Amen.

Listen: 'Build your Kingdom'