Equipping the Called

The past 2-3 weeks of my scripture reading have been focused, in part, on the book of Exodus. For those who haven't studied it before, I'd like to inform you that it can be incredibly dull at times. I know, I know... I'm not supposed to say that! All scripture is God-breathed and profitable, so if God breathed Exodus out (which He, of course, did) then there is something about it which is profitable to me. I know this.

But honestly, I had kind of gotten in this rut of just reading through the chapters indicated on my reading plan as quickly as possible, giving those chapters no thought whatsoever, and happily moving on to the far-more-interesting New Testament. Not a great idea.

During my prayer time this morning, I was convicted of this and appropriately rebuked for it. As a result, I found myself asking God to give me some insight into this whole Exodus thing. It's not that I wanted to skim over it, but I just didn't understand why the exact proportions and materials used in the building of the tabernacle were applicable to me and my life.

Firstly, after giving it some serious prayer and mediation, I can say that a big part of the reason I've been "stuck" in these scriptures right now is because of a heart issue. I was doing the reading and I could say with confidence that I had been in God's Word daily. But really, my heart wasn't in it. I wasn't getting to know my Savior better through this kind of reading and I sure as heck wasn't submitting to Him or worshiping Him when I sat down to do this reading. And I honestly believe that part of the reason for the "dull" bits of Exodus popping up on my reading plan right now was to teach me this lesson in submission and love for my God.

Often times my husband talks about things that I consider very boring. It could be something about installing an air conditioner or something to do with music equipment. I could easily tune him out when he gets on these topics (and I'm sure he could say the same about much of the junk I babble on about to him). But I don't tune him out. Why? Because I love and respect him. And I and my marriage have been blessed by my listening to him. I've been able to grow closer to him and learn more about his day-to-day life and passions, and even some practical bits about tools and HVAC systems, by listening to him closely. So why should I treat my Jesus with so much less respect and care than I do my husband???

So. I decided that I would treat Him like that no more! I asked God to give me insight into these scriptures and I committed myself to actually sitting down and studying them instead of rushing through so I could check them off of some arbitrary list.

Amazingly, even when I am completely unfaithful, God is always faithful. Praise be to Him! During the first passage I read today, He gave me the most awesome thought about, what else? Exodus! The scripture is talking about how God wants this guy, Bezalel, to be the master craftsman on this huge tabernacle project. What struck me about this is that it doesn't really say who Bezalel was. Of course, it gives his name, his father's name and all of that. But really, who was he? What did he do? Possibly, he was already a master craftsman with many wonderful, handy abilities. But he could have just as easily been a terrible craftsman or even a farmer or a shepherd or something that doesn't deal with crafting at all. We don't know! What we do know is that he must have loved the Lord, and so God called him to do a specific task. What's more... God gave him the ability to do this work!

I imagine Bezalel was just a regular guy who loved God. So when God needed some work done, He knew He could count on Bezalel to get it done. So He filled Bezalel with His Holy Spirit, enabled him to do the work, and Bezalel was there, right on top of things. It's actually one of many examples of this in the scriptures, but it stood out to me and spoke to me today. I don't have to be nervous about anything God is calling me to. If I love the Lord and am faithful to His calling, He'll make sure the work gets done to His glory. He doesn't' call the equipped, He equips the called! It's such a comforting feeling to know that when you're called to do something that seems impossible, He'll make sure the impossible happens as long as you are faithful. What an awesome God we serve!

Additionally, in Exodus 36:3-7, it's talking about how Bezalel and his helpers were doing their work, while the other Israelites also did what they were called to. So the Israelites were gathering supplies and weaving cloth and bringing it all to Bezalel & co. so that they could build the tabernacle. The Israelites were joyfully bringing supplies and donating their best things to God's house until Moses literally had to order them to stop because they had brought too much!!

Hmmm.... never had that problem with my bank account. In fact, I've never heard of a church having that problem either. If God's people were all joyfully bringing our best to Him and giving all that we are called to give, is it possible that our churches would have too many resources?? Maybe not... but it is an interesting thought, no?

Why is it so hard for us to give to God what already belongs to Him? The Israelites were joyfully giving their best to the point of excess, and they were homeless and wandering through the desert! So what's our excuse??

And back to Bezalel, isn't it likely that if God wants us to give, He will enable us to do it and will provide all that we need to give what He's calling us to? He enables us to do all types of other work for Him, why wouldn't He provide the resources we need to be giving?

Just a few thoughts, as promised, on my scripture reading. I am truly thanking God for His faithfulness and actually am looking forward to a bit more Exodus tomorrow. I only pray (and trust) that He will enable me to go where I'm faithfully headed next.... *gulp*... Leviticus.