The character of and qualifications for service are the same in all dispensations. The work to be done may vary, but, as Exodus 31 plainly shows, the service of Bezaleel and Aholiab proceeded upon the same lines as that of the Apostle Paul. Both alike indeed were engaged with the house of God; if Bezaleel and Aholiab were not exactly builders in the same sense as the Apostle, yet they were also occupied with God’s dwelling-place here upon earth. It is worthwhile to consider how these godly men in the wilderness were fitted for the work to which God called them in connection with His sanctuary. In a day of abounding activity, when often the Lord’s service is entered upon with a light heart and perhaps without due reflection on its seriousness and gravity, it is important to understand what God’s thoughts are concerning those whom He designates for His service and work.
The Call
In the first place, Bezaleel received a divine call: “See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri.” In like manner Paul speaks: “When it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen.” It was impossible, therefore, for them to doubt the origin or the nature of their service. We admit that calls of this character were special and extraordinary, but every servant now must be the subject of a divine call as distinct as these pattern servants. True, it will be an inward one — a secret between the Lord and the soul — but it will not be any the less efficacious. It would be presumptuous to embark upon any service without the overwhelming conviction that we had been called to it by the Lord.
Qualification
Following the call we find the qualification: “I have filled him,” says the Lord, “with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship” (Ex. 31:33And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, (Exodus 31:3)). In a similar way we find that the Lord Jesus qualified His disciples for their service. He established their hearts in the truth of His resurrection, and He opened their understanding that they might understand the Scriptures. He appointed them to be witnesses of what they had seen and heard, and, having told them that He would send upon them the promise of His Father, He enjoined them to tarry in the city of Jerusalem until they should be endued with power from on high (Luke 24:36-4936And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43And he took it, and did eat before them. 44And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48And ye are witnesses of these things. 49And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. (Luke 24:36‑49)). So it was also for their service while with Him during His earthly sojourn. If He sent them forth, He bestowed upon them the requisite “power and authority” for the execution of their mission. Their qualifications were as divinely given as their call. It is true that they were different vessels, different in character and capacity, but the Lord chose them in view of the work to which He would appoint them and gave to each “according to his several ability.” Whether it was Bezaleel and Aholiab, the twelve, or, it might be added, Paul, James, Timothy or Titus, all received their qualifications entirely from the Lord.
This is a lesson which every servant of the Lord would do well to ponder, for many who take the place of servants in Christendom seek their endowment for their work mainly from man. The result is often dependence upon human power rather than upon the energy and power of the Holy Spirit, and the issue is either rationalism or ritualism — the two great antagonistic forces which Satan employs to destroy the true character of Christianity. Those who may have taken a place outside of these corruptions are liable to the same temptations, for there is not a single evil in the great house of Christendom towards which we may not find the tendency in our own hearts. If any of us looks for power or acceptance from anything of man — from manner, learning, fervor or eloquence — or if we follow human methods of the presentation of the message given to us to deliver, we are at once off the ground of dependence upon the power of the Holy Spirit, because we are depending on that which has its source in man and natural abilities.
The Lord’s Word and Will
Two other things may be noted in connection with Bezaleel and Aholiab. They were to do what God had commanded Moses, and they were to do it according to all that He had commanded (Ex. 31:6-116And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee; 7The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle, 8And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense, 9And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot, 10And the cloths of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office, 11And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do. (Exodus 31:6‑11)). We gather from this that they were not to be choosers of their own work; they had to be absolutely at the Lord’s disposal. Second, in doing what they were commanded, they were not left to their own discretion; they were to be governed by the Word of God. These are two most important principles. There are many inducements to select our service and even the place where we serve, but the moment we admit the principle of choice, our eye is off the Lord. Even our blessed Lord, the perfect Servant that He was, took this ground when He said, “The Son can do nothing of [from] Himself, but what He seeth the Father do; for what things soever He doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise” (John 5:1919Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. (John 5:19)).
Also, Bezaleel and Aholiab were under the authority of Moses, and every servant is under the authority and at the disposal of the Lord. His will is consequently our law and is expressed in His Word; it may be discerned without difficulty if we are living in His presence. It may often seem to us that the adoption of some human method in our service would add to its worth, but Scripture teaches that our true wisdom is in subjection to the will of our Lord. So these servants who were employed to make “the tabernacle, the ark of the testimony, and the mercy-seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle” were not at liberty to depart from the directions they received, even in the smallest detail. So was it also enjoined upon Joshua: “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Josh. 1:88This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Joshua 1:8)). The last chapter of Exodus abundantly teaches the same lesson. When the tabernacle was finished, it is said eight times over, “As the Lord commanded Moses.”
Summary
We see that the path of every servant is very exactly defined. The Lord distinctly calls everyone whom He wishes to employ, and of this call no servant should ever be in doubt. Second, if He calls, He bestows the requisite qualifications. On Him alone, therefore, has the servant to wait for the needed grace, wisdom and power. Independent of man, he is wholly and entirely cast upon the Lord. Third, he must have the Lord’s mind as to what he should do, and if he has not, he must sit at the Lord’s feet until he receives direction. When Mary and Martha sent the message to the Lord that Lazarus was sick, He abode two days still in the place where He was. Pressing as the call was (and even the claim of affection), He would not respond until it was the Father’s will that He should go. Adopting the same principle, our activities may indeed be limited, but what an increase in confidence in the Lord and consequent power would be gained! Fourth, the servant must be wholly governed in his work by the Lord’s Word. As the Apostle has written, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Christian Friend, adapted