In Exodus 31:2-3 God says: “See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship.” The Lord asserted that the skill that Bezalel had, was given to him by Him – and He subsequently instructed him to use that skill in the construction of the tabernacle for worship.

But God did not only gift Bezalel thus. Verse 6 goes on to say: “In the hearts of all who are skillful I have put skill.” There is no such thing as a “natural talent” or a “self-made man.” Whatever gift or ability anyone has, it came from God. I met a young man at the church I spoke at last Sunday, who was adept at mechanical things and working with his hands. He said he felt like God had gifted him with this ability. I had read this chapter in Exodus in my quiet time that morning, and I shared this verse with him and told him that he was right. According to this scripture, even those abilities that we think may not be “spiritual”, like craftsmanship, are given to us from the Lord. And we are each to use them, as these craftsmen did in Exodus, for God’s purposes and glory.