The First Spirit-filled Guy Was a Craftsman — not a Priest or Pastor
Somebody once said that the Protestant Trinity is often the “Father, Son, and Holy Bible.” God as Holy Spirit has sometimes been an ignored reality (though, honestly, that has not been the case with the Charismatic and Pentecostal wings of Christianity). Let’s remember that at Jesus’ baptism “the Spirit of God descended on him like a dove” (Matthew 4:16). And remember the last of Jesus’ seven words/sayings from the cross was “Father, into your hands I commend my Spirit” (Luke 23:46). Fifty days later on the Day of Pentecost, that same Holy Spirit descended back to earth, this time to live in the hearts and lives of all people who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior.
The Bible teaches us that, as Holy Spirit, God gifts and empowers each of us to do his work in the church and in the world. This is an incredibly important and fascinating topic. But here is an important part of the story we often miss: the first time in the Bible that anyone is said to be “filled” with God’s Spirit is in Exodus 31:1-6. “The Lord spoke to Moses: ‘See, I have called by name Bezalel . . . and I have filled him with divine (i.e., “holy”) Spirit, with ability, intelligence, and knowledge in every kind of craft, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, in every kind of craft. . . And I have given skill to all the skillful so that they may make all that I have commanded you’.”
For sure, preachers, teachers, and pastors need God’s Holy Spirit to fill them and guide them in their ministry. But I have sometimes reminded architects, engineers, carpenters and other maker/workers that the Bible doesn’t begin with “In the beginning God preached a sermon”—but “In the beginning God designed and built a beautiful world” (Gill paraphrase). So too, God doesn’t just send his Holy Spirit to help people speak in tongues or preach; God also sends his Spirit to show up in craftsmanship, in the workshop, in the workplace. Remember that name: Bezalel.
This is just the first story about being filled with God’s Spirit. The story continued on through the Bible and history and it goes on today. You aren’t working on your own but with God’s Spirit inside you—giving you insight, strength, and ability to do God’s will. We learn in Scripture that it is possible to quench or grieve God’s Spirit, so this guidance and strength are not automatic. Let’s every day ask God to fill us with his Spirit to take over in our work—and watch for it happen.
—David W. Gill www.davidwgill.org