Bezalel

Exo. 31:21b  Bezalel  Exo. 35:30;  36:1, 8;  37:1;  38:22;  39:2;  1 Chron. 2:20; 2 Chron. 1:5

Bezalel was a master builder, a leader in God’s building. His name means in the shadow of God, indicating that as a master builder, Bezalel was a man under the shadow of God’s grace (cf. 1 Cor. 3:10a; 2 Cor. 12:9). Uri, the name of Bezalel’s father, means light of Jehovah, and Hur, the name of Bezalel’s grandfather, means free, noble, white (signifying clean and pure). These three names indicate what kind of persons the builders of God’s dwelling place should be.

In serving the Lord, all God’s children are and must be Bezalel. As the name signifies, Bezalel, must be under the shadow of God’s grace. Without being under the Lord's covering grace one cannot go on serving the Lord. For the attack of the enemy is severe against those serving the Lord.

Mathew 16:18 "I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." In the New Testament, we are today's builders of the church. What the Lord prophesied on the building of the church is very significant. He simply did not say that He will build the church, but also that the gates of Hades shall not prevail against the builded church.

Note from the Recovery Version:
Gates of Hades refers to Satan’s authority or power of darkness (Col. 1:13; Acts 26:18), which cannot prevail against the genuine church built by Christ upon this revelation concerning Him as the rock, with stones such as Peter, a transformed human being. This word of the Lord’s indicates also that Satan’s power of darkness will attack the church. Hence, there is spiritual warfare between Satan’s power, which is his kingdom, and the church, which is God’s Kingdom.

Today, as we serve the Lord in whatever way or whichever capacity, the gates of Hades will not be silent, rather, with all the evil forces of darkness it will attack the building work, especially the builders, if possible. And I have been experiencing the same in my service to the Lord.

This time the attack was very fierce before I set out for the recent ministry journey that I am undertaking at the moment. From my family side there was a conscious care for my cousin brother who could not attend to the office works because of his health and past habit. And the concern of my wife in my absence if things did not go well. Besides, the current economic crisis India is embroiled in, due to demonetisation of Rs.500 and Rs.1000 notes. Though our money is in the banks with our saving accounts but not withdrawable due to cash crunch at all banks and long queues of cashless clients at ATMs. On top of this, an official need to defend and confirm the truth against the false allegation of some unknown writer which was reported to be in printing and the need to stop such false accusations. Literally I was tossed in dilemma for at least a day. At one time, deciding to cancel the literature tour, and at other time, going for it as planned. But finally, after serious prayer and consideration I decided to go ahead as planned, trusting in the Lord's covering grace.

As I went ahead as planned against all odds, the Lord indeed blessed the decision as we have been experiencing now in our ministry literature journey.

Few days ago as I met the Principal of the largest Bible college in town and introduced the ministry of the word to him, I also read the Bible portion from Exodus concerning Bezalel, Uri and Hur and expounded it with spiritual revelation. I myself have been experiencing the same, the need for the covering of the Lord's grace as a serving one.

All serving ones of the Lord are Bezalel and must be under the Lord's covering grace. Otherwise, there is no way to build up the church and no way to go on in our service to the Lord.

Lord, keep me ever in Your covering grace. Amen.