Chosen

While reading through Exodus 35 recently this verse jumped out at me: “Then Moses said to the Israelites, ‘See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,’” Exodus 35:30 (emphasis mine).

Imagine that. Imagine being called by God to do a task. Imagine the God of the universe looking down, seeing all of mankind spread out before him. He peruses the choices, stroking his divine chin. One by one he eliminates the options, and then he says, “That one, that one right there, she’s the one I want for this.” Chosen out of all creation, chosen for a task only you can do. In Bezalel’s case, the Israelites were deep into the task of constructing the tabernacle. In order to make the tent and the items it contained, they needed skilled workers of every kind. Weavers, metalworkers, woodworkers, and many others volunteered. They needed someone to pull the project together, a skilled leader. God knew this and provided for their needs. Out of all of the men of the whole of Israel, from all the skilled workers, God chose Bezalel. God called Bezalel by name. God chose Bezalel for an enormous task. But he didn’t expect Bezalel to do it all on his own.

“And he has filled him [Bezalel] with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts,” Exodus 35:31-33.

God filled Bezalel with his own spirit. He gave him wisdom and understanding. He gave him “all kinds of skills.” (Napoleon Dynamite, anyone?) God fully equipped Bezalel for the task he chose him to do.

In a breath, the life of Bezalel changed. He likely already worked as a skilled artist, turning metal and fabric into beautiful objects, but now he no longer worked in obscurity. Now he worked for the Lord and for all of God’s people. God had called him by name.

However, Bezalel is not the only one God has called. He’s not even the only one God has called by name. God says in Isaiah: “But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator… ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine!” Isaiah 43:1.

The God of the universe looked down and saw all of mankind spread before him. He perused the choices, stroking his divine chin. And then, dear sister, he called YOU. He called you by name. He declared you to be his own. His treasured possession. Just imagine that.

“For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you,” 1 Thessalonians 1:4.

Bezalel was chosen for a task. God had something special in mind for him to accomplish. What about you? What has God chosen for you? God called you to be his child. He chose you to do good works. He chose you to be a blessing to others. He has good things in mind for you.

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work,” 2 Corinthians 9:8.

In all your works and in all your ways, dear sister, you can bless others. You can use the talents God has given you to encourage those around you. God called you for a purpose, and he has given you everything you need. The next time you feel low and wonder, “What’s the point of all this?” remember that the Lord God of the universe, the one who made all the stars and all the flowers and all the wonders of creation, chose you. He has called you by name.