“And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship” (Ex. 35:31).
Those whom God has called into His service are filled with the Spirit of God to qualify them for the task. It is not the place of a man devoid of God’s Spirit to be serving in the church. Only those who have been endowed with wisdom and understanding, as well as the necessary skills, should be put in positions of authority. Interest and desire are not enough to be a leader in the church. A person needs to be called by God and to be “filled with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship.” Only when he meets these qualifications can he instruct others with the skills and understanding God has given to him.
The work that Bezalel was called to do was extraordinary, and therefore he was qualified in an extraordinary manner for it. In the same way, the apostles were appointed to be master builders in setting up the Gospel tabernacle, and they were filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom and understanding to build the church. Like the master builders in ancient Israel, the apostles were to do all manner of work “according to all that the LORD [had] commanded.” Those who serve the church cannot exercise their gifts in whatever manner they want. They are bound by the commands of God, and are obligated to follow them precisely.
Those who are greatly gifted in the body, those who are capable of directing others, must not think that they are excused to be idle. Many people do a good job of assigning tasks to other people, but are unwilling to do one task themselves. God has called His servants to work, to plow up the fields, and to prepare for the harvest. Serving in the church is a difficult task, and it should never been taken lightly.
Bezalel had been given the power to command and to instruct. Those who have been given much wisdom and knowledge should be willing to communicate these for the benefit of others, and should not covet or monopolize them. It is too easy to hide ourselves away in our studies, accumulating knowledge for its own sake instead of using it to teach others. The church needs strong workers who are filled with the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge, who are willing to work hard even if it means getting their hands dirty, and who are willing to teach others so that the entire church might be edified.
How can you know if the leaders in your church are filled with the Spirit of God? Do they use their gifts in obedience to God’s commands and to instruct others? When your church chooses people to fill leadership positions, what qualifications are taken into consideration? Thank God that He has gifted people to serve in His church.
