Bible reading for 40.Day 2025 | Exodus 31:1-11

Exodus 31:1-6 introduces us to two Old Testament forerunners of marketplace ministry, Bezalel and Oholiab.

Bezalel and Oholiab received their gifts as the result of the Spirit of God’s infilling. These gifts were the ability, intelligence, knowledge and all craftsmanship to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut stones, to carve wood and to work in every craft.

In other words, creative craftsmanship, artisanship, metallurgy, woodworking and carpentry, and sculpting.

In a parallel paragraph in Exodus 35, it explains that God filled this duo with skills to do every sort of work by an engraver, designer, embroiderer, and weaver.

We all have unique giftings

The New Testament tells us that “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us” (Romans 12:6). These abilities flowed in Bezalel and Oholiab from the Spirit of God in order to fulfil the work commanded by God to Moses (Exodus 36:1).

In Exodus 36:1, it says:

“Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the Lord has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded.”

Pastor Rick Warren said, “God has a place in His church where your specialties can shine, and you can make a difference. It’s up to you to find that place … You are the only person on earth who can use your abilities; no one else can play your role because they don’t have the unique shape that God has given you.”

It is not just the spiritual gifts named in 1 Corinthians 12 that count, but also the natural gifts God has put in us. As Pastor Rick further explained, “Since your natural abilities are from God, they are just as important and as ‘spiritual’ as your spiritual gifts.”

God’s gifts will embed a distinctive DNA of creativity and of innovation. This is what Proverbs 8:12 calls “wisdom that finds out knowledge of witty inventions” – discovering creative and clever solutions or inventions.

This facet distinguishes us from artificial intelligence of data aggregation and analytics. It reflects the Imago Dei, the same innate creativity we saw in the Creation, where God could look at everything He made and behold that it was good (Genesis 1:10, 12, 18, 21, 25) and very good (Genesis 1:31). This evidences God’s sense of achievement and satisfaction.

Exercising our gifts 

Proverbs 22:29 queries:

“Do you see a man skilful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.”

As you grow in your diligence, skilfulness, experience and efficiency at work, you will stand before kings and the King of Kings.

As you live out God’s calling, you exercise your giftings. You will find that uniquely, God is engraving and designing you, embroidering, and weaving the tapestry in your life through your experiences in your workplace journey. And as He moulds you, you will become the vessel of honour in the great house of God (2 Timothy 2:20-21) to give Him honour.

There are many out there who will never step foot into a church, but they will read the epistle of your life.

That is what it means to be salt and light: Being evangelists from Monday to Friday, beyond church walls, where the light of Jesus is most needed.

To use a metallurgical metaphor, God’s vision is to cut a diamond from your work life! Be bright, brilliant and beautiful for Him in all facets to reflect His glory. In His time, He will make all things beautiful. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Let me leave you with some reflection questions in closing.

1. What is your unique God-given gift or talent at work? Be analytically honest with yourself. Not every one of your interests or skills is a one-of-a-kind gifting. Seriously examine what you are good at and what you are not good at. Consult with counsellors. Proverbs 11:14 tells us that in a multitude of counsellors is a safety net. Consult with the Holy Spirit, who is your chief Counsellor.
2. Also consider: how are your gifts and abilities different from your spiritual gifts? And how do they complement your spiritual gifts?
3. Finally, how can you give God’s gift back to God for His glory? How can you steward that gift with excellence for God’s pleasure? Are there untapped talents that you could use to reflect God’s glory out in the world beyond church walls?

Let’s pray:

Lord God, help us use what You have given us as gifts in the marketplace to serve You for Your highest glory, and to serve others around us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Reflect: 

1. What is your unique God-given gift or talent at work? Be analytically honest with yourself. Not every one of your interests or skills is a one-of-a-kind gifting. Seriously examine what you are good at and what you are not good at. Consult with counsellors. Proverbs 11:14 tells us that in a multitude of counsellors is a safety net. Consult with the Holy Spirit, who is your chief Counsellor.

2. Also consider: how are your gifts and abilities different from your spiritual gifts? And how do they complement your spiritual gifts?

3. Finally, how can you give God’s gift back to God for His glory? How can you steward that gift with excellence for God’s pleasure? Are there untapped talents that you could use to reflect God’s glory out in the world beyond church walls?

Pray: 

1. That the Lord will highlight the special gifting He has placed in each of us, abilities we may have buried because they seem too “worldly”. Let’s pray for the Lord to show us how and where to use these gifts for His glory alone.

2. That we develop an appreciation for our spiritual gifts and our natural, God-given gifts and exercise both diligently.

3. That the Lord brings opportunities for us to minister to the lost beyond the church walls with these gifts the Holy Spirit has anointed us with.

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