https://odb.org/2025/12/18/gifted-by-god
Exodus 31:1–11 (NIV): 31 Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. 6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you: 7 the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent—8 the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, 9 the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand—10 and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, 11 and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you.”
Beethoven also had ample opportunity and exposure to music (which developed the aptitude he did have). Yet neither talent nor opportunity fully account for God’s role in endowing us with the abilities we have. Our Creator equipped two men, Bezalel and Oholiab, with specific skills to be used in building the tabernacle. God filled Bezalel “with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs” and appointed Oholiab “to help him” (Exodus 31:3-6). God gave “ability to all the skilled workers to make everything [He] commanded” (v. 6). (Kristen Holmberg, Our Daily Bread 18th December 2025)
In a recent sermon, I shared on the calling of God. One of the points I raised was that we were chosen even before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1:4) and God already called us before we were formed in our mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5). These verses speak of God’s plans and purposes for our lives, conceived well before we were even born. There’s a sense of destiny in who we are in the Lord.
On the point of overcoming doubts over our calling, I spoke on trusting God’s timing as well as believing that the Lord will equip all whom He calls. We just need to respond in faith and He will prepare and equip us. Exodus 31 today is the perfect example of how God prepared and equipped two ancient men, Bezalel and Oholiab, with specific skills to build the tabernacle during the time of Moses. God had a purpose and He prepared and equipped the people necessary for that purpose.
Likewise when God calls us and He has a specific purpose in mind for us, He will prepare and equip us. Our skills could be our God-given talents that we were born with, honed with the natural skills we acquired from our upbringing, education, social exposure and work experience. Most importantly, trust that He equips whom He calls, even in areas we may have nothing!
Ronnie's Thoughts 