Who were Bezalel and Oholiab in the Bible?

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TL;DR:

Bezalel and Oholiab were two craftsmen who led the building of the tabernacle. Bezalel and Oholiab are a reminder that all work can be done to the glory of God.

from the old testament

  • Bezalel was from the tribe of Judah and God "filled him with the Spirit of God," a rare occurrence in the Old Testament (Exodus 31:3). God also gifted him with special "ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft" (Exodus 31:3–5). Bezalel's outstanding skill was God-given for the specific purpose of establishing the tabernacle.
  • Oholiab was from the tribe of Dan and was known as "an engraver and designer and embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen" (Exodus 38:23). Oholiab was an artisan whose skill God planned to use in building the tabernacle.
  • God inspired both Bezalel and Oholiab to teach others (Exodus 35:34).
  • This tent of meeting had curtains, frames, bases, pillars, hooks, and other elements for its actual structure. But it also needed altars, tables, basins, lampstands, pots, shovels, and other furnishings for the interior. Plus, the priests needed special garments, a breastpiece, turbans, bells, and other adornments as well as holy anointing oil and fragrant incense. The Israelite people were to give of their own possessions toward this effort. They actually contributed so much that Moses had to ask them to stop because "the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more" (Exodus 36:7). With this abundance of material and God-given skill, Bezalel and Oholiab taught and led "everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work" (Exodus 36:2).
  • While Bezalel is credited with constructing the ark of the covenant and many of the interior furnishings, it truly was a group effort. The recounting of this part of Israel's history concludes saying, "According to all that the LORD had commanded Moses, so the people of Israel had done all the work" (Exodus 39:42).

from the new testament

  • Bezalel and Oholiab are not mentioned in the New Testament.

implications for today

There are so many things to learn from the account of Bezalel and Oholiab. First is that God stirs in the hearts of people to be involved in His work. No one should be coerced into giving or serving. When Paul was instructing the Corinthians he wrote, "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). The Israelites generously gave an abundance toward the tabernacle and God stirred in their hearts to do the work as well, so none of it was coerced or under compulsion. Secondly, all skills can be used for God's glory. The tabernacle needed craftsmen like woodworkers, weavers, and metalsmiths as well as artisans like embroiderers and jewelers. There is purpose for the skills God gives the people. There is not a difference between secular and sacred; we reflect God and can bring Him glory in all we do (1 Corinthians 10:31). Thirdly, we see how much God values beauty and order. He detailed every part of the tabernacle in minutiae to Moses so that the tent of meeting would be an appropriate place to house His presence. It was not a simple or utilitarian design, but one filled with beauty and splendor. Fourthly, Bezalel and Oholiab were inspired to teach others. They were to equip the people and then delegate different tasks to those who were able to do them. Leadership includes enabling and encouraging others to join you in a task rather than trying to do all the tasks yourself. What an example the Israelites, including Bezalel and Oholiab, can be for us today!

understand

  • Bezalel and Oholiab are Israelites who led others to build the tabernacle according to God’s commands.
  • Bezalel was uniquely filled with the Spirit of God and given knowledge and craftsmanship to create artistic designs and to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood to build the tabernacle.
  • Oholiab was skilled in engraving, designing, and embroidery, all of which were essential for the tabernacle's construction. God uses diverse talents for His plans and purposes.

reflect

  • How has God gifted and equipped you, and how are you using these gifts and talents to make Him known?
  • What do we learn about God in the way He called and equipped Bezalel and Oholiab for His work?
  • Reflecting on the meticulous detail and beauty of the tabernacle, what do we learn about God's appreciation for beauty and order in our lives and communities?

engage

  • Many people want to separate the sacred from the secular. However, God can be glorified in everything. We don’t need to be doing something specifically religious to give honor to God and His Name, or to reflect His truth and love to the world. In fact, everything in our lives can be a worshipful response to who He is and what He has done. How can we bring God into the secular in a way that honors Him?
  • Bezalel and Oholiab show us that all skills can be used for God's glory. How might this perspective reshape our understanding of work, talent, and purpose in our daily lives?
  • How can the leadership model demonstrated by Bezalel and Oholiab, including equipping and delegating tasks to others, inform our approach to leadership and teamwork within our communities and organizations today?