We are in chapter thirty-five of Exodus with our word for today. יָרָה throw, shoot, instruct, teach, lay foundations, to water. It is used 46 times in the Old Testament. Our word is used to point, indicate a place, direction, person or thing. Proverbs 6:12-13 A worthless person … מֹ֝רֶ֗ה points with his finger. Genesis 46:28 He had sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph לְהוֹרֹ֥ת to show the way before him in Goshen, and they came into the land of Goshen. Exodus 15:25 And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord וַיּוֹרֵ֤הוּ showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. Our word is used most of the time in the sense to teach, to instruct, to impart knowledge to. God himself is identified in this role as we see David using it in the Psalms. Psalm 27:11 ה֤וֹרֵ֥נִי Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Psalm 86:11 ה֘וֹרֵ֤נִי Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. God also provides human teachers to give his instruction. Leviticus 10:8, 11 And the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying … וּלְהוֹרֹ֖ת “you are to teach the people of Israel all the statutes that the Lord has spoken to them by Moses.” 2 Kings 12:2 And Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all his days, because Jehoiada the priest הוֹרָ֔הוּ instructed him. This is how our word is used in our chapter today. Exodus 35:30-31, 34-35 Then Moses said to the people of Israel, “See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship … And he has נָתַ֣ן בְּלִבּ֑וֹ [literally given in his heart to teach] inspired him וּלְהוֹרֹ֖ת to teach, both him and Oholiab the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver—by any sort of workman or skilled designer. I find it interesting that even though God filled them with this ability Bezalel still needed to teach them how to do it. Just because God gives us gifts doesn’t mean that they are automatically understood and ready to use. God provides leaders and teachers to encourage us and show us how to develop the gifts and abilities God gives us. We see this same thing in the New Testament. Paul is used by God to encourage Timothy. 2 Timothy 1:3-7 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Paul identifies that Timothy has not only faith but gifts that need to be encouraged and developed. I’ll close with this great passage that reminds us that this developing and multiply of leaders is key to the purpose and growth of the church. 2 Timothy 2:1-2 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
