This is the first of random thoughts for “Lighting the Scene” with Scripture in light of the Hebrew world view almost completely lost to Christianity as far back Justin Martyr and John Chrysostom. I personally don’t want to step outside scripture within this forum (except to define the Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic using widely trusted resources), so I will limit my comments to focusing “Sola Scriptura” (Acts 17:11).
I’ll also post these little ditties in the Discussions section of our Movie Makers And Shakers For Yeshua Facebook Page for posterity’s sake.
– :: Called to build a dwelling place for YHWH :: –
Exodus 31:2-5 –
Behold, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all kinds of workmanship, to devise skillful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of workmanship.
More on Oholiab follows here.
Bezalel was a man who took great pride in living excellently. Paul (Sha’ul, originally) calls all believers similarly,
2nd Timothy 2:3-14 –
You therefore must endure hardship, as a good soldier of Messiah Yeshua. No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules.
Exodus 36:2-4 –
Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab, and every wise-hearted man, in whose heart the YHWH had put wisdom, even everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to the work to do it: and they received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, with which to make it. They brought yet to him freewill offerings every morning. All the wise men, who performed all the work of the sanctuary, each came from his work which they did.
I myself aspire to a work ethic that would match the youth of the Hebrew people during their many eras of existence or, more recently, the youth of America, during the first hundred or so years of our existence. This is an ethos of deep focus and devoted study which allows for the true genius humans are capable of to come forth. A focus, I believe, we are capable of attaining at ANY season of life… if we choose it before YHWH, Giver of Wisdom (James 1:2-10)
Bezalel was chosen to build the Temple wherein dwelt the very Presence of YHWH on planet Earth! For the sake of brevity, my studies have led me to believe that Yeshua, the very Sacrifice Lamb given through the Exodus from Egypt, fulfilled ALL Temple bloodshed (Hebrews 9:22) and shifted His focus from the stone Temple in Jerusalem, Israel, to the “Temples (not) made with human hands” (Acts 17:24) – humans themselves!
What Bezalel had the amazing honor to fulfill, we can also fulfill within our own lives! We can be Temples of the Living YHWH by Messiah Yeshua’s great gift of Love!
Ephesians 5:15-21 – Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore don’t be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Don’t be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; singing, and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, to God, even the Father; subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Messiah.
Also
John 14-17 (yes, all of it!) Any of the verses like John 15:7 will do wonders! “If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.”
So here’s my takeaway from this whole “modern day Bezalels” thing –
MMASFY people, lets “be excellent to each other” and to YHWH who joins us together.
Let’s fellowship around the excellence of honing our faith in Yeshua by clinging to His Word and by honing our craft like Bezalel.
Let’s actually prefer manuals and Youtube tutorials over watching the godless garbage on network television or wasting time playing a video game!
Let’s give priority to our Scripture studies, history and political studies and story telling!
Let’s stand out as self-made children of YHWH who love to give glory to His name – YHWH of Israel, Maker of the heavens and the Earth! Messiah Yeshua, the Son of YHWH who is, Himself, fully YHWH and fully man – unique among all and the only uncreated One!
Amen?
Make yourself a dwelling place for the King of the Universe! Here’s an awesome (long-form) worship piece from friends at IHOP-KC to get you started. You won’t find this anywhere else! Get oil for your heart NOW… before the doors close!