Called to Serve – Exodus 36
In the book of Exodus, we read about the construction of the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was the tent of meeting where God would dwell amongst the people during their time in the wilderness. God had very specific instructions for how it ought to be constructed and designed and had called specific people to lead this project. In Chapters 31 and 35-36 we read about two men with very memorable names: Bezalel and Oholiab.
‘See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, 4 to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, 5 in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. 6 And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.’ (Ex 31:2-6)
We see these men called personally by God for the work and equipped with what they required for the task. They needed the empowering of the Spirit of God. They could not do it without his presence. They were given gifts that involved artistic design and craftsmanship to design the tabernacle as God intended.
When we think of gifts given to the Church, some will automatically think of preaching, music or evangelism. Others will likely think of prophecy, healing or tongues. Yet here, these men were gifted by God for this work with gifts of a different kind. These gifts were practical, ‘working men’ gifts, creative and useful and necessary for the specific tasks God had given them.
This is a wonderful reminder to us that God has made each of us different and equipped each part of his church for different tasks and callings. We all have a part to play in serving God and his Church. 1 Corinthians 12 makes this clear:
‘Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.’ (1 Cor 12:4-5)
Although Bezalel and Oholiab were called to lead this work, the rest of the people were also called to be involved in different ways. The people came with so many freewill offerings for the construction work that they had to be told to stop! The craftsmen tell Moses,
“The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the Lord has commanded us to do.” (Ex 36:5)
So, Moses has to restrain them from bringing more. Maybe they didn’t have the craftsmanship and artistic ability, but they brought what they could. In their generosity they brought more than was even necessary.
There are many different ways to take part in what God is doing in and through his church. Some are called to lead, others to be present and help practically, while others still are called to faithfully pray or give financially, using what the Lord has blessed them with to be a blessing to others. All aspects are essential and at different times in different ways, we all must play our part and hear God’s calling.
The people in Exodus were ‘stirred’ to the work by the Spirit of God. May God stir each of us to serve Christ and his Church with the gifts, resources and time he has given us for his glory and may we be wise in discerning what God would have us do.
Lewis Campbell, 27/05/2026