Bezalel and Oholiab were two gifted artisans assigned by God to oversee the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings during the Israelites’ time in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. Their contributions were vital in ensuring that the Tabernacle, the portable place of worship for the Israelites, was constructed according to God’s precise instructions.
Bezalel was specifically called out and appointed for this task by God: “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze…” (Exodus 31:2-4 ESV). His gifts in craftsmanship were recognized as coming directly from God.
Oholiab was assigned to assist Bezalel in this work: “And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you: the tent of meeting, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furnishings of the tent…” (Exodus 31:6-7 ESV). Oholiab was from the tribe of Dan and was specially gifted in craftsmanship.
Together, Bezalel and Oholiab led the amazingly quick construction of the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings, including the Ark of the Covenant, the table for the bread of the Presence, the golden lampstand, the altars, the basins, and more. The extensive list of everything they made is recorded in Exodus 35-40 as the narration walks through the building of the Tabernacle.
These two men were specifically empowered by the Spirit of God to oversee this sacred work. Exodus 36:1 states, “Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the Lord has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded.” Their Spirit-given gifts ensured they could skillfully lead this effort.
A few key lessons we can take away from Bezalel and Oholiab’s service include:
- God gifts His people uniquely to serve His purposes.
- All talents and abilities ultimately come from God.
- God equips ordinary people to do extraordinary things for His glory.
- Obedience to God’s calling requires faithfulness and skill.
- God cares about beauty, creativity, and craftsmanship in serving Him.
The artistic skill and craftsmanship of Bezalel and Oholiab models using our gifts for the glory of God. As Exodus 35:30-35 says, “Then Moses said to the people of Israel, ‘See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel… He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every skilled craft. And he has inspired him to teach…He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer… or by a weaver…They are to do all the work just as the Lord has commanded.'”
In summary, Bezalel and Oholiab were two men supernaturally gifted by God to oversee building the Tabernacle in the wilderness exactly to His specifications. Their Spirit-empowered leadership, artistic skills, and faithful service produced the beautiful portable temple used by Israel to worship God during their journey to the Promised Land.
Throughout Scripture, God gifts and empowers His people to serve His purposes in creative and practical ways, just as He did with Bezalel and Oholiab. Their examples encourage us to use our own diverse gifts and abilities for God’s glory.
Key details about Bezalel:
- Name means “in the shadow of God”
- From the tribe of Judah
- Son of Uri, grandson of Hur
- Specially appointed and filled with the Spirit of God (Exodus 31:1-5)
- Given intelligence, knowledge, skill, craftsmanship by God (Exodus 31:3-6, 35:30-35)
- Assigned as chief artisan of the Tabernacle’s construction (Exodus 35:30-35, 36:1-2)
- Worked with Oholiab to oversee building of the Tabernacle (Exodus 38:22-23)
- Built the Ark of the Covenant, table for bread of Presence, lampstand, altars, basins, furnishings (Exodus 37)
Key details about Oholiab:
- Name means “father’s tent”
- From the tribe of Dan
- Specially appointed along with Bezalel (Exodus 31:6)
- Given skill by God (Exodus 31:6, 36:1)
- Assigned to assist Bezalel in building the Tabernacle (Exodus 35:34, 38:23)
- Worked with Bezalel to construct the Tabernacle and furnishings (Exodus 38:22-23)
Bezalel and Oholiab worked closely together, leading the monumental project of constructing Israel’s portable place of worship according to God’s instructions:
- Oversaw and taught skilled workers (Exodus 35:34)
- Collected materials contributed by the people (Exodus 36:3)
- Had more than enough materials for the work (Exodus 36:5,7)
- Followed God’s plans exactly (Exodus 36:8, 39:42-43)
- Built the Tabernacle, its ten curtains, eleven curtains, covering, frames, bars, pillars, hooks (Exodus 36:8-38)
- Constructed the Ark, mercy seat, table, lampstand (Exodus 37:1-29)
- Made the altars and courtyard items (Exodus 38:1-20)
- Crafted the sacred priestly garments (Exodus 39:1-31)
- Finished all the work as God commanded (Exodus 39:32,42-43)
- Brought the Tabernacle to Moses for inspection (Exodus 39:33,43)
- Blessed by Moses for their work (Exodus 39:43)
This extensive sacred project required an immense amount of skilled labor, precise construction, and faithful attention to God’s detailed instructions. But Bezalel and Oholiab accomplished it with excellence because of God’s enabling.
The completion of the Tabernacle, with all its beautiful coverings, curtains, frames, furnishings, utensils, and priestly garments, was a stunning display of craftsmanship. Exodus 39:43 says, “And Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it; as the Lord had commanded, so had they done it. Then Moses blessed them.” It was quality workmanship directly inspired by the Lord.
Centuries later, when Solomon built the first temple in Jerusalem to replace the portable Tabernacle, he was blessed with skilled craftsmen as well. 1 Chronicles 22:15 says, “You have an abundance of craftsmen: stonecutters, masons and carpenters, as well as men skilled in every kind of work.” Like Bezalel and Oholiab, these gifted artisans used their God-given abilities to produce something beautiful for the glory of God.
The two bronze pillars that Solomon had made for the temple, Jakin and Boaz, required tremendous skill to construct (1 Kings 7:13-22). The enormous cast “sea of cast metal” also demonstrated remarkable craftsmanship (1 Kings 7:23-26). God gifted certain people with artistic and creative abilities, both for constructing His Tabernacle and later His permanent temple.
We can see other glimpses of gifted craftsmen later in the Bible as well:
- God filled certain people with skill for making priestly garments for glory and beauty (Exodus 28:3, Exodus 35:25-26).
- God gave abilities to women who spun fine linen, embroidered, and wove for the Tabernacle textiles (Exodus 35:25-26).
- The Lord enabled weavers like Dorcas in the New Testament to create coats and garments (Acts 9:39).
- God gifted Bazalel’s descendents with artistic skills for serving in the temple (1 Chronicles 2:18-20).
- Men skillfully worked precious metals for the house of the Lord (1 Chronicles 29:2-5).
- Hiram of Tyre was given great skill, understanding, and craftsmanship for bronze work in the temple (1 Kings 7:13-14).
In all these examples, God supernaturally enabled gifted individuals to use their artistic and creative abilities for constructing beautiful things that glorified Him. The skills of Bezalel and Oholiab were just early examples of God empowering His people this way.
There are several important lessons we can learn from Bezalel and Oholiab’s involvement in building the Tabernacle:
God gifts people uniquely for service
Bezalel and Oholiab’s carefully crafted abilities came directly from the Lord to equip them for this special assignment. God wanted them to use their Spirit-given gifts for this holy work, just as He gifts all believers to build up Christ’s church (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). Our talents and skills ultimately come from God.
God equips the willing
These artisans still had to willingly step forward in obedience to skillfully construct the Tabernacle and its furnishings. Bezalel and Oholiab allowed God to work through them because they made themselves available. In the same way, God desires to equip us powerfully when we submit our lives to Him.
Excellence honors God
Scripture emphasizes the beautiful craftsmanship involved in the Tabernacle project. Though this was sacred work, God still cared that it was skillfully and carefully done, which glorified Him. The Lord desires excellence when we serve and build for Him, doing everything with beauty, creativity, and skill for His praise.
God cares about the arts
Since God specifically gifted these craftsmen and artisans, we see that He values art, design, and quality workmanship. The beauty and intricate detail of the Tabernacle testified to the majesty and glory of God. He wants the works of our hands to honor Him as well.
Faithfulness matters
Bezalel and Oholiab could have utilized their gifts in many ways, but they chose to faithfully serve the Lord with them. Likewise, God cares more about our trustworthy stewardship with what He’s given us than our raw talents and abilities. Using our gifts for God’s purposes is what’s most important.
Just as God equipped ordinary people like Bezalel and Oholiab to accomplish something extraordinary, He wants to empower our lives as well. If we walk closely with God, obey His Word, and seek to honor Him, Scripture promises: “
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3)
No matter our talents and resources, God can use us powerfully when we rely on Him. The lives of Bezalel and Oholiab remind us to place our gifts at the Lord’s feet so He may use them for His glory.
Our human capabilities pale in comparison to the Lord who fashioned the universe. But just as God accomplished something amazing through Bezalel and Oholiab’s willingness, He can craft something beautiful with our lives when we walk in faith and obedience before Him.