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It’s Pentecost Sunday, June 9, the commemoration of the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. So here’s today’s question: Who was the first person in the Bible said to be filled with the Spirit? And for what?

The Lord said to Moses, “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with 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 31.1 – 5, ESV, emphasis mine)

Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills…And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. (Exodus 35.30 – 34, NIV, emphasis mine)

The first person in the BIble filled with the Spirit of God was an artist, called to work on building the tabernacle and teach others to do the same. 

Artist, worker, teacher. Are those what come to mind when you think “filled with the Spirit?” Me neither, but there it is.

My friend Kathleen, who reads this blog, just retired so she could devote more time to her art of making jewelry. But she was an artist before that, writing computer code for FEDEX.

The three men who installed my sliding glass doors were artists, as was the brother God sent to paint the moldings.

God considers artful work so important that he filled people with his Spirit to do it. That’s worth thinking about as we work!

He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers. (Exodus 35.35, NIV)

Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock. His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes. Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron. (Genesis 4.20 – 22, NIV)

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. (1 Peter 4.10, ESV)