Filled with the Spirit
By Terance Clark March 30, 2025 6 Minute Read
Week 23
This Weeks Passage: Exodus 38:21 – 40:38
This week we finish the book of Exodus with a story about two young men named Bezalel and Oholiab. According to Jewish tradition these two were very young, yet the scriptures state that God filled them with the Holy Spirit so that they had all the skills needed to design all the items used in the tabernacle. Let’s take this week to be introduced to these two amazing young gifted craftsmen and see what it means to be filled with the Spirit.
The first thing that should capture our attention this week is the names of these two young men. The name Bezalel who was the head craftsmen over all the work means “in the shadow of God.” Oholiab who was his assistant means “the fathers tent.” It is very interesting that both individuals who were responsible for designing and overseeing all the work both had names that reflect what the tabernacle was to be. Clearly, their parents recognized at birth prophetically a connection to what God would do to use them. The interesting thing about Bezalel is the scriptures state that he could do anything. He was a general contactor, stone mason, electrician and plumber as well as a jeweler all in one. He was a young genius who was filled with the Spirit to oversee and lead every aspect of the building of the tabernacle.
On Earth As in Heaven
Let’s understand something that is often forgotten or misunderstood today and that is that the tabernacle was a shadow of the heavenly tabernacle. God told Moses to build it according to what he had seen and the writer of Hebrews really breaks this down for us by trying to explain that there are two things at work. One is the heavenly tabernacle that Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek and the other is the earthly tabernacle. In Hebrews 8:4 he says that Jesus is not qualified to be a priest on earth because he is not of Aarons lineage, but he is a heavenly priest able to offer his sacrifices in heaven on our behalf. It is important to understand that the earthly temple has an earthly purpose for the priests offer sacrifices for men but not for redemption that is being done by Jesus in heaven. The books of Ezekiel, Isaiah and Micah all declare that when Jesus returns the sacrifices will also be re-established in the temple during His thousand year reign. The tabernacle is where the father dwelled on earth and it was a shadow of what was in heaven.
Filled with the Spirit
To be filled with the Spirit meant that they were given wisdom (Chochmah), understanding (Tevunah/binah) and knowledge (Da’at). These are all supernatural gifts that the scripture also declares is given to those who truly believe and live in trust of the master. Wisdom is the gift of reason with a moral component, in the book of Proverbs wisdom is the opposite of wickedness. It’s a gift for knowing the difference between right and wrong and choosing to live righteously. Having discernment for wicked things and staying far from them. Understanding gives one the ability to see beyond what is obvious. It’s divine inspiration for seeing how to solve complex issues and problems.
Knowledge is a gift that combines all the elements of truth to form a belief system. Knowledge allows us to see into the invisible and understand the big picture of what God is doing. It doesn’t always make sense, but the gift of knowledge allows us to stand in faith seeing God’s hand at work. Paul says in Ephesians 1:17 that we would be filled with wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. That is the wisdom, understanding and knowledge that I’m speaking of. He says it numerous times in scripture and this is what he is meaning. True believers will have the Holy Spirit providing these elements into our lives.
“These gifts help us to recognize wickeness
and root out selfish ambitions and false narratives“
In this weeks lesson we learn that God wants to fill us with His Spirit, but that is not Hocus Pocus tingling sensations. There is a place for spiritual revelation that comes from the Spirit, but for the most part the Apostles were talking about people being committed to the study of God’s word and prayer so that God could show them the deeper meanings of life and help them to be able to connect the word of God with their lives that they are living and then walk out a life of godliness. These gifts Help us to recognize wickedness and root out selfish ambitions and false narratives not by what people tell us, but by His Spirit. There is much deception in our world today and you will not find truth on Facebook and TikTok nor will you find it in political parties. The man and woman of God must be filled with the Spirit!
