Posted on by Abe Austin

Scriptural Analysis- Exodus 31:1-5

1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:

3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,

4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,

5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.

Today’s chapter begins by introducing us to the first artisan whom God had called to fashion the parts of the tabernacle. Bezaleel’s name means “in the shadow of God,” a particularly appropriate name for one who would be “filled with the spirit of God” to know how to build according to the Lord’s design.

Specifically, we are told that Bezaleel had expertise in working with metal, cutting stones, and carving timbers. This would allow him to assemble the wooden bodies of the furniture, to overlay them in gold, silver, and brass, and to etch the stones set upon the shoulders and in the ephod of the priest.

A skill that is not mentioned for him is the working of thread and cloth, which would be necessary for the curtains and the clothing of the priests. That work, it would seem, would be assigned to another. Perhaps someone else would also be required to prepare the anointing oil and the perfume, assuming there was more to the process than just measuring the ingredients and stirring them together.

When we think about being empowered by the Spirit of the Lord, we often think of things like prophecy, healing, and the working of miracles, but the Bible also sets the precedent for divinely inspired creativity, both of the artistic and inventive variety. There are these inspired artisans that crafted the tabernacle, but also the building of Noah’s Ark, the poems of David and Solomon, and even the stories told by Jesus. The act of creation has a divine source after all, each of us inheriting it from the greatest creator in all the universe.

Posted on by Abe Austin

Scriptural Analysis- Genesis 41:37-38

37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.

38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?

Joseph has interpreted the dream and counseled what to do about it, and all of it is “good in the eyes of Pharaoh.” For starters, he believes the interpretation. Not only does it match all of the symbols that he saw, but presumably the message rings true with the feelings of the dream. Also, he is in favor of what Joseph has suggested they should do about it. Joseph has shown how they can prepare against and circumvent the shadow of death. He has given a good interpretation and good advice.

Joseph began this whole thing by humbly stating that it was not he would interpret Pharaoh’s dreams, but God. By his humility he has actually put himself in a better place than if he had claimed the wisdom in and of himself. A man who is cunning is useful only until his skills are exceeded. But Joseph has claimed to be a servant of God, and thus his foreknowledge cannot be exceeded. After all, each of Pharaoh’s “wise men” had failed to interpret this dream, but one “inspired man” had easily prevailed.

Pharaoh recognizes this distinction and wonders aloud to his servants where else they could ever find such a man as this, one who carries the Spirit of God. Throughout the Old Testament we will hear of many rulers who depend upon just such a man of God to counsel and forewarn them, and it seems that that long and noble pattern begins right here with Pharaoh and Joseph.