February 23: Exo 36 | Psa 94-95 | 1 Corinthians 6

Reading 1 - Exo 36:1-5

"So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the LORD has commanded. Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work" (Exo 36:1,2).

Those who have received ability from the Lord are at the same time being called to the building of the LORD's "tabernacle" -- which is the house in which he dwells, the community of believers. Ability and willingness, along with resolution, are the tools to be desired in the call of builders in God's house. The talents we are entrusted with must not be tucked away in a napkin, but put to use. Why do we have our gifts, if not to do good with them?

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"They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. So all the skilled craftsmen who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left their work and said to Moses, 'The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done' " (vv 3-5).

The materials which the people had contributed were delivered by Moses to the workmen. They could not "create" a tabernacle -- they could not make it out of nothing -- they could not work, unless they had something to work with and upon. And so the people therefore brought the materials and Moses put them into the hands of the builders.