Exodus 37 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“Bezalel made the ark…” Exodus 37:1
“Bezalel made the mercy seat…” Exodus 37:6
“He made the two cherubim…” Exodus 37:7
“He constructed the table…” Exodus 37:10
“Then he made the lamp stand…” Exodus 37:17
“Bezalel made the altar of incense…” Exodus 37:25

As in many cases for Biblical names, Bezalel’s name matches his character/calling. Although there are 4 possibilities of interpretation, the commonly held meaning of “Bezalel” is “In the shadow of G_d”. This is then explained to mean: “In the protection of G_d”.

This explanation coincides marvelously with the name of Bezalel’s colleague Oholiab. His name means “Father’s Shrine”.

When you put the two together, you get “The protection of G_d in our Father’s Temple”. Pretty cool…as long as you are near the Temple!

The Bible can be summed-up as the story of man’s desire to separate from G_d, and G_d’s deliberate strides to commune with mankind. Each G_d-stride established a more permanent presence with his people. Beginning with the Tabernacle, G_d commissioned a portable house of presence. Wherever He led, Israel was to follow. G_d stopped and they set up the tent. If you wanted to dwell with G_d, you had to literally follow Him around.

The Temple was a more permanent house for G_d’s presence, laid in a foundation. A problem arose when G_d’s people turned their hearts from Him. As result, G_d drove Israel from His temple. The temple may have been a permanent structure, but men could be separated from it…through exile or ceremonial uncleanness.

With the giving of His Ruach (Spirit), Yeshua consecrated the bodies of His followers as worthy to receive His presence. In essence, wherever the believers goes, he/she is under “the protection of G_d in our Father’s Temple”.

“G_d will never leave or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), who is in you, whom you have received from G_d?” 1 Corinthians 6:19

Ultimately, all followers of Messiah will permanently dwell with G_d in Heaven.

“And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be,” John 14:3

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins, Associate Leader, Worship Leader
Shuvah Yisrael
Daily Devotional, Monday, April 7, 2014