Exodus 29:1-31:18

God describes how Aaron and the priests are to be dedicated to make them worthy of offering sacrifices to God.  Them we learn about the specific sacrifices these priests will make.  An interesting note is that most of the sacrifices are set up as to make a pleasing aroma to God.  God them gets into the nitty-gritty of how the temple and the priests are to be funded and who the chief craftsmen are to be, and God concludes by giving a final instruction making a sabbath observation by Israel a perpetual institution.

I always wondered why God had such an obsession with scent.  I don’t know why, I just always wondered.

This passage is one of the first instances of God calling individuals to a ministry.  God calls and enables Bezalel and Oholiab to be the craftsmen charged with making the Ark and Tabernacle objects.  God says that he has granted them special knowledge and ability, and that they have the Spirit of God.

I believe that God calls all people to some kind of ministry (vocational and non-vocational) and that God enables everyone whom he calls.  However, I do worry that some Christians inappropriately claim to have a calling.  How do you argue when someone says “God has called me to…”?  I think that we need to emphasize that God will confirm a calling through church leaders, spiritual friends, scripture, and other experiences.  Claiming to have a calling from God is a serious business and should not be a statement made lightly.  If you feel God is calling you, take time to confirm it through other means.

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