Today I read Exodus 38, which talks about the altar of burnt offerings, the court of the tabernacle, and the valuable metals used. God had the altar of burnt offering covered in brass instead of gold. God used talented people to do the engravings and embroidery for His tabernacle. Today I considered how God knows the best things and materials for us to use and also that talent developed over years is sometime called into the service of God.
Materials of the Altars
God’s instructions provide us with the correct materials for the correct purpose. While some altars were covered in gold, the altar of burnt offerings was covered in brass (Exodus 38:1-8). The altar’s top, side rings, vessels and more were covered in or made of brass. Gold is easier to bend than brass, and brass is a good conductor of heat. This makes it better to retain heavy burnt offerings and hold the heat of the fire. When God tells us one thing is better to use than another, listen because God may know something you do not about the situation or materials.
God’s Talented Workmen
God asks us to use our developed talents for Him. One of the main workers was Aholiab who was talented in engraving, cunning workmanship, and embroidery (Exodus 38:23). Aholiab helped in the making of the hooks for the curtains and the embroidery of the curtains and linen (Exodus 38:9-23). It took skilled talent to make hundreds of little piece and then have the endurance to embroider hundreds of feet of linen. Sometimes we are developing our talent over years so that we are ready for the task when God uses us for His kingdom.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
Aholiab probably took years to decades to obtain his variety of skills. It can take years to master hand engraving and then even longer to develop your own unique style. It also takes time to learn embroidery and other craft skills. After truly developing his craft, God called him to work on God’s temple.
Have you or someone you know developed a skill over years and was surprised in how they used that skill for God?