Walk of Life – Day 22 – August 2020 – Thoughts from the Book of Proverbs

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men. Proverbs 22:29

“Skilled in his work,” the Hebrew word for skilled is ‘mahiyr’ which implies to be an expert or extraordinarily good at something. There is a saying that goes” Jack of all trades, master of none” That is not the kind of person the Lord is talking about. He is speaking about someone who is really good at what he does, really well-versed, knowledgeable, skilled, deft, and so on.

The Bible speaks about two men Bezalel and Oholiab, who were gifted in all kinds of embroidery and metal work who were a great help in building the tabernacle. The Lord Himself authorizes these men to build the tabernacle for the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

Bezalel came from the tribe of Judah and God “filled him with the Spirit of God,” which is something very rare in the Old Testament (Exodus 31:3). He was also gifted with special talents “ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft” (Exodus 31:3–5).

Oholiab was from the tribe of Dan and was known as “an engraver and designer and embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen” (Exodus 38:23).

The Lord used their skill for His glory. It is not very easy to be an expert at something. You need to have a passion for it. You need to put in your heart and soul into whatever you do. You need to keep learning or in other words you need to keep upskilling. Today it is important to not just be skilled but be up to date. It requires focus and hard work. When you are truly excellent in whatever you do, the Lord’s name is glorified in and through your life. It is not just in secular work but whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might. Many of us may be Sunday school teachers or youth leaders or taking care of something in the ministry of the Lord. Strive to be the best. Never do anything half halfheartedly and without sufficient preparation. Always strive for excellence and learn whatever it takes to be the very best.

I was surprised at the number of instances skilled workers have been mentioned in the Bible. This is a very brief list.

• “And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful.” I Chronicles 15:22
• All the skilled women spun with their hands, and brought what they had spun, in blue and purple and scarlet material and in fine linen. Exodus 35:25
• Let all the skilled craftsmen among you come and make everything that the Lord has commanded: Exodus 35:10
• These were the leaders of their families: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jahdiel. They were skilled warriors, men of reputation, and leaders of their families. I Chro 5:24
• From Benjamin, Eliada, a skilled warrior, led 200,000 men who were equipped with bows and shields. II Chro 17.17

Every work in the house of God, He required skilled workers. Those skilled in craftsmanship, embroidery, music, cutting stones, in building, and so on. The warriors were also all brave and skilled men. Such a skilled person will stand before kings. Recall the life of Joseph, from the pit to Potiphar’s house to the prison to the King’s palace…this man prospered because God was with Him and he excelled in all he did. Daniel 6:3 says “Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.”

Henry Varley, a British revivalist said these words in personal conversation to D L Moody “The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to him. By God’s help, I aim to be that man.” And Moody consecrated His life and said Lord I will be that man. Fully committed and dedicated to the Lord, the Lord will grant all the skill needed to carry on His work.

We should be known for our desire to serve with excellence and skill for God’s glory. Let us rededicate our lives to do whatever we do for His glory and put in the best that we can. It is very important because even if you are not noticed in this world, you will be rewarded in the world to come.