The Source of Gifts and Talents

Then Moses told the people of Israel, “The Lord has specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. The Lord has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft. And the Lord has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach their skills to others. The Lord has given them special skills as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet thread on fine linen cloth, and weavers. They excel as craftsmen and as designers..." [Exodus 35:3-35 NLT]

The Story
God wanted the building of His tabernacle to commence. Being one that loves things to be done in perfection, He chose people that had the gift and talent to do it. He chose craftsmen Bezalel and Oholiab [Exodus 31: 1 -11]. He knew they could do the job because He had filled them with His spirit. 1 Corinthians 12: 4 teaches us that there are diversities of gifts but the same spirit.

Three important things we can draw from this story are: -
1. God is the source of gifts and talents
2. Gifts and talents are purposefully used when they bring glory to God. Many gifted people use their gifts and talents to bring glory to other gods such as money, sex, etc.
3. Skills can be taught and learnt. Even those who have certain gifts and talents need to practice and learn more to bring out more value in their gifts and talents.

Modern Application
Today we have goldsmiths, sculptors and skilled craftsmen. An important part of the body they use is their hands. You may not be a craftsman but you may have gifts or talents that you can use your hand to implement.

Questions to think on
1. What gift of hand do you have?
2. How are you using your gift of hand?
3. Is there someone you can encourage today to use their gift of hand?

Remain gifted.

Interpreting Dreams

And Pharaoh said to Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it; and I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream and interpret it. Joseph answered Pharaoh, It is not in me; God [not I] will give Pharaoh a [favorable] answer of peace. (Gen 41:15-16 AMP).

The Story
Joseph was one of the twelve sons of Jacob. His brothers sold him to some Ishmaelites who brought him into Egypt. Joseph was later falsely accused of fooling around with the wife of Potiphar (an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh) and hence was sent to jail. While in jail, he was able to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh’s chief butler and baker.

When Pharaoh had a strange dream and no one could interpret it, the butler remembered Joseph. Joseph was brought out of jail. He was able to interpret Pharaoh’s dream with God’s direction.

A dream is a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep. Dreams come from the following sources:-
1. God
2. Thoughts
3. What has been watched, seen, heard or listened to.

This post will focus on dreams from God. God has frequently made use of dreams in communicating his will to men. Such dreams are for a purpose and always for good - either a forewarning so that people can act on it, or sending good news.

Modern Application
Most people dream. The value of the dream is in the interpretation because when a dream is appropriately interpreted, the bearer of the message of God can act on it. God is the giver of interpretation (Gen 40:8).

Some ways to develop dream interpretation:
1. Ask God for the interpretation of your dreams
2. Keep a notebook or voice recording of your dream immediately you wake up
3. Over a period of time check your dream pattern
a. Do they come to pass as it is or in reverse (negative dreams end up positive)
b. What do certain things represent e.g. colors, numbers, symbols, etc.

Questions to think on:
1. What kind of dreams do you have?
2. Do you know anyone you could encourage to seek God for interpreting dreams?

Speaking of dreams, whatever dream God has put in your heart, ask Him to show you what to do to make it come to pass.

Remain gifted.

Archery

God was on the boy's side as he grew up. He lived out in the desert and became a skilled archer. (Genesis 21:20 MSG).

The Story
Ishmael was a son of Abraham. His mother, Hagar, had given birth to him when Sarah had not had a child. When Sarah had a child and was weaning him, she saw Ishmael mocking the child. So she asked Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away. This they eventually did though it grieved Abraham to do it.

Though Ishmael was not the son through whom Abraham’s descendants would be counted, God did not look down on him. God loved him and was with him even as he grew in the wilderness. He became a skilled archer.

An archer is a person who practices archery. Archery is the practice of using a bow to shoot arrows. It is an art of high antiquity. Archery has historically been used in hunting and combat. During combat, a skilled archer could stay at a distance and reach his target. A skilled archer knew how to use his weapons very well.

Modern Application
Archers of those days understood how to use their tools. Today our tools are different. They may be computers, they may be software, and they may be equipment we use to make our jobs easier.

To be recognized in what we do, we need to demonstrate skill in the use of the tools we have to use. A painter knows what to do with his palette; a guitarist knows what to do with his guitar. How we use our tools really matters a lot.

Questions to think on:
1. Are you skilled in the use of the tools given to you?
2. Do you know anyone you could mentor or encourage to understand his tools better?
3. What are your weapons today?

While you think on the questions, do not forget that God is always with you.

Remain gifted.