Ki Tisa “When you take”
Exodus 30:11–34:35
1 Kings 18:1–39
Acts 23-28

Who? Me?

Scripture says that Elohim uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. I have thought at times that this scripture was written specifically to me. Maybe you have felt the same way.
It seems the Father takes great delight in finding a job on earth that needs to be done and then picking the least likely of all people to do it. He takes people whom the world would normally not give the time of day, but by His own will decides to work through them to bring glory to Himself. I believe this was never more true than in what we read in Torah this week. As a disclaimer, please allow a bit of writer’s license in the following story.

Many days have passed since the Hebrews had left Egypt. The plagues now seem like ancient history. So much has happened in such a short period of time. Now they find themselves standing at the base of a mountain receiving instructions of life from One who just a few months ago they had forgotten even existed. Moses is standing in front of the people telling about a special tent the people are to make. The One who set them free now says He desires to live in their midst. Toward the back of the crowd is a man no one is really paying much attention to. The reason they are not paying attention to him today is because they don’t really pay much attention to him at any time. To everyone who knows him, he seems a bit slow of mind and a bit clumsy in body. He has never done anything in life very noteworthy. In fact pretty much everything he has done has been a failure in one way or another.

As Moses is speaking about the instructions concerning the Tabernacle, our friend at the back of the crowd is not listening very intently because he just knows there is not a job on this project for a man like him. But all of a sudden he thinks he heard his name come from the mouth of Moses. He looks up to see that the whole crowd is looking at him. “What have I done wrong now?” he wondered. From the front, Moses calls out again and asks him to come forward. The man’s name? B'tzal'el. As B'tzal'el makes his way to the front people are pointing and murmuring to each other under their breath. There are even a few chuckles to be heard. When B'tzal'el reaches the front Moses again tells the crowd that B'tzal'el has been singled out to be in charge of the intricate details of the Tabernacle. The crowd is stunned, and silent as B'tzael'el is heard to say, "WHO? ME?

This story may or may not be the way it happened on that day, but I tend to believe one part of it is very true. B'tzal'el was in his mind, and in the mind of all who knew him, the least likely person for the job. Why do I believe that? Because Elohim does not change. And it is the least likely people He is choosing for a great task today.

I meet many people today who can relate to our above friend. They look in their mirrors and just do not see a mighty man or woman of Yah. They see their faults and failures, but just do not see what use they could possibly be in the days ahead. They look back over their lives and do not see great success, but in many ways see what looks like one train wreck after another. The question on their minds as they gaze in the mirror is, "How could He use me? I have nothing to offer." They are folks who can relate to our friend, B'tzael'el.

There was something hidden deep in B'tzael'el. It had been hidden through the years so deeply that he didn’t even know it was there. It had been hidden so that through his life he would learn humility. It was hidden so that no matter how long he was a part of the Tabernacle project he would always understand that the work he was doing was not of his own strength, but it was a gift he had been given.

Can you relate to the first part of B'tzael'el’s life? If so, you are a person who is a prime candidate to relate to the part we read about this week. Elohim has a track record of working through people who just know they have nothing to offer Him. He works through people who are simply willing vessels to show forth His power. He works through people who will never desire to build their own kingdoms, but will forever focus on His Kingdom.

You do have much to offer in the building of His Kingdom, whether you realize it or not. Some of your greatest talents are yet to be brought forth. Keep in mind that you have not been brought to this time just by chance, or to sit around and take up space. He has a job and purpose for each of us. When it is time, He will allow us to know what it is. Until such a time, let us simply be faithful to Torah, and to the day, and live it to its fullest. You never know when you may find yourself called from the back of the crowd to the head of the class!