Called by Name

I have called by name means special choice for a particular purpose, though the one chosen may be ignorant even of the fact of the divine choice

Cole, R. A. (1973). Exodus: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 2, p. 218). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

The fact that God has called by name this man Bezalel, or in other translations specifically chosen means that no body else despite how much they may believe they deserve it can claim to be the right man for the job .

There are things within us that we may not understand are God given traits, in fact we may not even know what he has placed in us but regardless he has specifically chosen and called us by name to live them out, even if there are others who may seem ‘more qualified’

Next comes the most important aspect of this whole Scripture

Exodus: An Introduction and Commentary God’s Craftsmen (31:1–11)

I have filled him with the Spirit of God. In early Old Testament days, every form of skill and strength and excellence is directly and bluntly credited to ‘the Spirit of God’. This is because God is rightly seen as the source of all wisdom

“ I have filled him with the spirit of God”

his abilities did not come from any other place the wisdom he had of all craft’s required for the task set before came from one source only ‘the spirit of God’

In those times all skills/abilities were considered to have come from God there was less arrogance and self obsession then we have in our world today. ‘I'm not good at something because I wanted it and worked hard at it, i’m good at it because God has gifted me and placed his spirit within me.

chapter 35 also states that God has given these men the ability to teach their skills to others, God gives us these talents and wisdom and abilities, firstly so that we can use them to bring glory to his name and to build his kingdom and help his people, but just as important is the ability to teach these skills to others .

Its not about us being great or looking good or being the only one who can do something its about training and teaching those around us to do what we can do, so that when the time comes we can move out of the way and let them flourish.

37:29 “Then he made the sacred anointing oil and the fragrant incense, using the techniques of a skilled incense maker.”

This is extremely interesting as in no other part of this account does it say he use the ‘skills of’ God speaks earlier about all the areas he has gifted Bezalel in but incense is NOT one of them. but in this moment he has acquired the skill of techniques of a master.

Because in this moment God had given him what he needed to accomplish something new, something that he had never done before.

There come moments in out loves where God grants us the ability to do something we have never done and do it well because in that moment somebody needs something and God allows us through his mighty power () to be the answer to that need.

Questions

Do you truly understand what it means to be ‘Called by name/specifically chosen by God?

Do you believe that their is a specific purpose for which God has called you and anointed you for.

Can you identify in your life the wisdom/abilities that God has chosen to gift you with ( not necessarily spiritual gifts)?

Is there a person or people that you think God is calling you to ‘teach’ the things that he has taught you? to raise up the next generation?

Have you experienced a moment where God has enabled you to do/be something that you have never done before?