Week of Monday, February 21 – Sunday, February 27
Builder Brothers – Man as Battle Buddy
“The Lord also spoke to Moses: “Look, I have appointed by name Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with God’s Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every craft to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut gemstones for mounting, and to carve wood for work in every craft. I have also selected Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be with him. I have put wisdom in the heart of every skilled artisan in order to make all that I have commanded you.” – Exodus 31:1-6 ESV
“Do It Yourself” (DIY) shows cause problems at home for a lot of guys I know. Wives watch Jonathan and Drew, the Property Brothers, Chip and Joanna, Ben and Erin, and a host of other dynamic duos renovating some hopelessly outdated and sketchy homes and turning them into magazine-worthy showplaces. And of course, the reaction after watching one of those programs is: “Honey, why can’t we do that at our house?” Does this sound familiar? Beyond being capable at demolition work, I was not blessed with all the skills (or the tools) possessed by those folks on the DIY shows for the finish work. I would definitely need one of those Property Brothers to tag team with me as a Battle Buddy or I would make a big mess!
Back in the book of Exodus, Bezalel was the craftsman explicitly described as gifted and equipped by the Lord for the task of making all the ornate furniture and artwork that was to adorn that beautiful meeting place with God called the tabernacle. A man named Oholiab was paired with the gifted Bezalel, who was the team leader. We might call this dynamic duo the “Builder Brothers.”
We all need a guy like Bezalel to come alongside us as a Battle Buddy, especially when we are starting out in the faith and finding a place to serve in a local church. Obviously, we’re no longer talking about pairing up with someone who is a skilled craftsman, but a godly man who is filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom. A guy who walks with the Lord in humility, a man who is scarred from the battle but who overcomes, a guy who has processed his life experiences through the lens of Scripture and can offer helpful perspective. We all need a Spirit-filled and wise mentor. That applies to all of life as a man, as a husband, as a father, as a grandfather, and as a leader of others.
Allow me to take it one step further. At some point in life, we need to become a “Bezalel.” We need to become that godly mentor to an Oholiab. In fact, when you read on in Exodus, these men actually became team leaders of other artisans. God “inspired him [Bezalel] to teach, both him and Oholiab” (35:34). Like Paul as mentor told Timothy: “what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2).
Here’s the point. Some need a mentor like Bezalel. Others need to help mentor a man like Oholiab. But every man needs at least one Battle Buddy. Have you found yours?
Builder Brothers – Man as Battle Buddy
“The Lord also spoke to Moses: “Look, I have appointed by name Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with God’s Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every craft to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut gemstones for mounting, and to carve wood for work in every craft. I have also selected Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be with him. I have put wisdom in the heart of every skilled artisan in order to make all that I have commanded you.” – Exodus 31:1-6 ESV
“Do It Yourself” (DIY) shows cause problems at home for a lot of guys I know. Wives watch Jonathan and Drew, the Property Brothers, Chip and Joanna, Ben and Erin, and a host of other dynamic duos renovating some hopelessly outdated and sketchy homes and turning them into magazine-worthy showplaces. And of course, the reaction after watching one of those programs is: “Honey, why can’t we do that at our house?” Does this sound familiar? Beyond being capable at demolition work, I was not blessed with all the skills (or the tools) possessed by those folks on the DIY shows for the finish work. I would definitely need one of those Property Brothers to tag team with me as a Battle Buddy or I would make a big mess!
Back in the book of Exodus, Bezalel was the craftsman explicitly described as gifted and equipped by the Lord for the task of making all the ornate furniture and artwork that was to adorn that beautiful meeting place with God called the tabernacle. A man named Oholiab was paired with the gifted Bezalel, who was the team leader. We might call this dynamic duo the “Builder Brothers.”
We all need a guy like Bezalel to come alongside us as a Battle Buddy, especially when we are starting out in the faith and finding a place to serve in a local church. Obviously, we’re no longer talking about pairing up with someone who is a skilled craftsman, but a godly man who is filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom. A guy who walks with the Lord in humility, a man who is scarred from the battle but who overcomes, a guy who has processed his life experiences through the lens of Scripture and can offer helpful perspective. We all need a Spirit-filled and wise mentor. That applies to all of life as a man, as a husband, as a father, as a grandfather, and as a leader of others.
Allow me to take it one step further. At some point in life, we need to become a “Bezalel.” We need to become that godly mentor to an Oholiab. In fact, when you read on in Exodus, these men actually became team leaders of other artisans. God “inspired him [Bezalel] to teach, both him and Oholiab” (35:34). Like Paul as mentor told Timothy: “what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2).
Here’s the point. Some need a mentor like Bezalel. Others need to help mentor a man like Oholiab. But every man needs at least one Battle Buddy. Have you found yours?
- If you identify more with Oholiab, is there an experienced man in your life who is like Bezalel, full of the Spirit and wisdom, you could approach about becoming a mentor to you?
- If you identify more with Bezalel, is there a man with potential in your life you could approach about mentoring?
- Ask God to guide you to your Battle Buddy.