Living by the Book/Living by the Book Workbook Set (118 page)

TODAY’S PASSAGE:

Exodus 31:1–11; 1 Kings 6

TIME COMMITMENT:

30 minutes

“The word
workmanship
not only describes a beautifully designed thing, but a useful thing, as well. Indeed, the design itself endows the thing with features that enable it to serve a particular task. . . . The word
workmanship
has the idea of functionality, as well as beauty” (p. 309).

I
n a culture where we’ve grown accustomed to cheap goods mass-produced with a view toward “planned obsolescence,” we may have lost a proper appreciation for good workmanship. But today’s passages show how, even in the middle of the wilderness during the Old Testament exodus, God promoted and provided for good workmanship.

Read Exodus 31:1–11. Who are the two craftsmen you find named here? Why do you think their names aren’t more familiar to us?

God was providing instructions for the Tabernacle, which was to be a portable house of worship. It was to be temporary, not intended to be permanent as the later Temple(s) would be. So why do you think high-quality workmanship was expected? Why not “make do” with whatever was at hand until the Israelites had reached the Promised Land?

God appointed these two people and gave them exceptional skill in building things. We don’t tend to find a lot of artistic skills among the New Testament lists of spiritual gifts. Do you think God still endows certain individuals with special gifts of workmanship, music, or similar skills? Why or why not?

When the Israelites finally did get around to building a more lasting Temple, it also reflected a great quality of workmanship. Read 1 Kings 6. What things did Solomon include in the Temple that might not have been “necessary” for the worship of God, yet were added as an element of workmanship?

Do you think the emphasis on workmanship in the Old Testament relates to Paul’s statement that believers are God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)? If so, what do you think is the connection?

What do you think are some applications of this spiritual truth?