We found this piece - written by RemiRoy - about Bezaleel, a chap from bible times who found his place in the scheme of things, mastered his craft and was chosen for important work. RemiRoy has graciously permitted to use the story. We hope you find the story inspiring for the new week.
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Bez walked out of the little tent he shared with his wife and seven year old son, looked into the starlit sky and sighed with pleasure. He breathed in a lungful of clean mountain air, relishing his new found freedom. It was a heady feeling. The stress and strain of the construction site was now in the past, the whips and torture, the pain and anguish. He pushed aside the thoughts that had pummeled him for years as he groaned under the heavy hand of the Egyptian king. The fact that many like him bore the same burden had done nothing to comfort him. He always believed there just had to be more to life.
He remembered growing up hearing stories of the Patriarch and his ground breaking faith. What would he have done if Jael hadn’t had their little Bez after two years of marriage? He sure would’ve lost his mind. He’d always wanted a mini Bez since he was a teenager. His own mother had had four Children after him. He’d grown up caring for them the best he could.
“This is freedom!” he said, loving the calm in the air. His tent was close to the leader’s. He had been grateful for the positioning; now he knew why.
He could see him now, his slow sure steps leading up the mountain. Bez had grown up with only with a faint feeling of connection to the I AM, as the leader had proclaimed Him to be when he came to demand their release from the shackles of oppression.
Many things were not yet clear to him but he knew he felt such strong allegiance and reverence for this unseen God who had turned the tides of nature to rescue a people long forgotten, in a land they couldn’t claim as theirs. What could be more awesome? Bez had seen things in this few months he’d never seen in his entire life of struggle. Amazing, awe inspiring wonders. He had a good feeling this was just the beginning.
The next few days the leader was not to be seen around camp. He had been up Sinai for a long time now and the clouds were still hovering like a cloak over the imposing mountain. If the rumble in the heavens was anything to go by, something big was about to happen, he thought.
People had started to grow weary around the camp, with nothing to do but Bez spent his time doing what he loved most, working with wood.
Little Bez loved walking around with him, gathering bits of wood and turning them into delightful shapes. He only wished he had been allowed to carve back in Ramses. But there were better craftsmen, more skilled and endowed than he was. He had had to settle for hauling bricks and making straw.
A month later, after many strange and fearful things had happened among the people, the leader called a meeting where he laid out several instructions he had received from the I AM. Bez had never heard so many instructions in his life. There was to be a tent, a ‘tent of meeting’. What was that? This would be constructed with several hallowed objects in it for worship and...well, he couldn’t understand most of it. But the excitement he felt at the thought of constructing something was amazing. Would he be allowed to work? To carve? He hoped to heaven he would.
As he mulled the thoughts in his mind, trying to envision the possibilities in his mind’s eye, he heard something that almost made him jump out of his skin! Had his name been called?
“Yes,” the leader repeated, “The Lord has selected Bezaleel, the son of Uri, grandson of Hur. He has filled him with the Spirit of God with skill, ability, and know-how for making all sorts of things, to design and work in gold, silver and bronze, to carve stones and set them, to carve wood, working in every kind of skilled craft. He has also made him a teacher, he and Oholiab. He has also gifted them with the know-how needed for carving designing, weaving, and embroidering in blue, purple and scarlet fabrics and in fine linen. They can make anything and design anything!”
Who was he talking about, him? Bez’s head felt ten times its normal size! Had he heard right? He, Bez? Carve in gold, silver, stone, and...and bronze? He had only ever worked with wood all his life!
Lord!
He got up from the slab of stone he had perched on and paced the ground. He stripped off his outer tunic, the mountain air all of a sudden felt a little too hot for him. His mind raced at the thoughts running wildly in his head.
Had he heard him say he could weave and embroider? That he could design and make anything?! For real?
He sat right back and calmed himself but was soon on his feet again. It was true! Right now, he felt like he could do anything! Yoo-hoo! He couldn’t wait to start!
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That was indeed the beginning of a life long career for Bez. He met his friend OH. With whom he had the pleasure of working, learning and producing such quality of work that had never before been seen.
Where are those Egyptian lords now? He could teach them a thing or two...
culled from http://remiroy.blogspot.com
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