Read Exodus 37:1-9

“Then Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits was its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height. He overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold all around it... He also made the mercy seat of pure gold; two and a half cubits was its length and a cubit and a half its width.” (Exodus 37:1–2, 6)

What would seem to be an insignificant section of Scripture becomes one of extraordinary value when we come to realize the picture that is found within. A craftsman, whose name is Bezalel, was specifically called out by God to lead the artistic works of the tabernacle and its furnishing.

“And Moses said to the children of Israel, “See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship,” (Exodus 35:30–31)

To the tribe of Levi it was appointed to be priests and bearers of the tabernacle, but it is interesting that Bezalel was not a Levite. Instead, we discover that he was a man from Judah. This would make him the only "non-Levite" to ever come in contact with the Ark of the Covenant. Even more, he was the only other man beside the High Priest himself who stood in the presence of the mercy seat as he crafted it (see Exodus 37:6 again).  

Can it be any coincidence that this man was of the tribe of Judah? Certainly not! God was already beautifully foretelling the promise of redemption!

A sinful man from Judah forged the mercy seat where God's presence dwelt, but it was the Sinless Man from Judah that finished the meaning of mercy seat thereby opening God's presence for all! Bezalel was filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom and understanding to perform all manner of works, but Christ was filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom and understanding to usher in all manner of grace! (see Ephesians 2:8)

“The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.” (Isaiah 11:2)

Yet, there is still more to this beautiful picture, for there is an even deeper truth embedded here which we cannot overlook. For the name Bezalel means literally in Hebrew: the shadow of God. But Jesus' name means: the salvation of God.

“[These things were] a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” (Colossians 2:17)

“For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come [could never perfect a man]… therefore [Christ] came into the world” (Hebrews 10:1, 5)

Bezalel's work was only a depiction of that which was still to come, but Christ is the substance of it all! Bezalel the shadow, but Christ the light! (see John 8:12)* *Bezalel a sillouhette, but Christ the express image of God! (see Hebrews 1:3).

Beloved, all things are finished in our Lord Jesus. You are complete in Christ! Praise Him today! There are no more shadows, but only the fulness of Christ who fills all in all!

“For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him!” (Colossians 2:9–10)

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