THE LIVES OF THE PATRIARCHS #197 | THE LIFE OF MOSES #178
Pastor Christopher Choo
Lesson 3883
THE LIVES OF THE PATRIARCHS #197
THE LIFE OF MOSES #178
MOSES AT MT.SINAI#77
THE TABERNACLE OF MOSES ( Part 36)
THE MENORAH #6
WHO CARVED THE MENORAH?
The Menorah is first mentioned in the biblical book of Exodus
(25:31–40), according to which the design of the lamp was revealed to Moses by God on Mount Sinai.
The candlestick was to be forged out of a single piece of gold and was to have six branches, “three out of one side, and three out of the other” (Exodus 25:31). The cup atop the central shaft, which is somewhat elevated to signify the Sabbath, was flanked by three lights on each side.
It was forged by the craftsman Bezalel and put in the Tabernacle, and its cups in the shape of almond flower blossoms suggested the Tree of Life.
What do we know of Bezalel?
1. He was the grandson of Hur ( from tribe of Judah )
So who was Hur?
When the Amalekites attacked the Israelites on their way to the Promised Land, Moses stood on a hill overlooking the battle, staff in hand, and raised his arms in a position of prayer (Exodus 17:8–9). As long as Moses’ arms were raised, the Israelites prevailed, but, when he lowered his hands, the Amalekites began to overtake the Israelites (verse 11). So, when Moses’ arms grew tired, he sat on a stone and Aaron and Hur stood beside him to hold up his arms.
Due to Aaron and Hur’s support, “[Moses’] hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword” (Exodus 17:12–13).
Hur of the tribe of Judah was said to be the grandfather to Bezalel (Exodus 31:2), the craftsman who was filled with God’s Spirit to oversee the construction of the tabernacle and the Ark of God.
2. He had a partner called Oholiab from the tribe of Dan to help him craft the Ark of Covenant and the Monorah.
Bezalel and Oholiab were two men God chose to aid in the construction of the tabernacle, the holy tent where God dwelled in the midst of His people.
During the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, God called Moses to Mount Sinai, where He gave His Law to the people (Exodus 19–24). In the course of His conversation with Moses, God instructed Moses to gather the people and build the tabernacle (chapters 25–31). As these events took place over 1,500 years before the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit, God’s Spirit would reside in this tabernacle.
God gave specific instructions for the building of the tabernacle, including plans for the tent itself, the courtyard, the consecration of the priests, the priests’ garments, and even the furniture. The rich materials to be used in the construction were to be donated as an offering from the people (Exodus 25:1–7; 30:11–16). In the end, the people were generous and brought even more than was needed (Exodus 36:3–7).
Many craftsmen would be needed for this work, and in Exodus 31:2–6 God tells Moses that He had given many men the skills they would need to bring His plans for the tabernacle to fruition.
Two of these men God mentions by name: Bezalel from the tribe of Judah and Oholiab from the tribe of Dan.
Bezalel in particular was filled with God’s Spirit (verses 31:2–3), a rare occurrence in Old Testament times.
God’s Spirit empowered Bezalel and Oholiab with talent and intelligence, giving them the ability to work in every kind of crafting, including woodwork, stonework, metalwork, engraving, embroidery, and weaving.
The Spirit’s empowering gave Bezalel and Oholiab skill to work with the raw materials and to form the artistic designs (Exodus 31:4–5; 35:30–32, 35).
Bezalel himself constructed the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 37:1).
In addition, God inspired both Bezalel and Oholiab to teach all the other craftsmen who had been given special skill by God.
Together, led and aided by Bezalel and Oholiab, the craftsmen were able to complete the tabernacle according to God’s specifications (Exodus 36:8–39:43).
Conclusion
What is our takeaway lesson?
The story of Bezalel and Oholiab shows us that God cares about aesthetics; He is a God of beauty and design.
Fine craftsmanship and skill in various artistic endeavors is a gift from God.
Bezalel and Oholiab should encourage Christian artists today to create works of art for the glory of God.
For whoever God calls for His specific purpose, He will surely empower that person with the gifts of the Holy Spirit to be creative for His glory.
And we have two timely encouragements:
1. Galatians 6:9, ESV encourages us: "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
2. Colossians 3:23-24 ESV
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
We know both Bezalel and Oholiab did their job well. For the Menorah has entered into the imagination of every Jew as their national icon.
Take for example the giant sculpture outside the Jewish parliament ( Knesset ) today. Of all symbols they could choose as their national symbol, they chose the Menorah.
As a reporter wrote: "Upon the founding of the State of Israel, the Menorah was chosen as its official symbol. Today, the Knesset Menorah, a bronze monument, stands about fifteen feet high, across from the Knesset gates, symbolizing the eternity of the Jewish people."
The Knesset Menorah stands proudly in a small plaza just across from the main entrance to the Knesset. In a certain sense, with the rebirth of modern Israel, the menorah has returned home.
Perhaps the most dramatic part of this Menorah is the Biblical verse engraved across the bottom of the lowest branches. “‘Not through army and not through strength, but through My spirit,’ said Hashem, Master of Legions”
(Zechariah 4: 6).
