Partnering

Ex 38:22,23 "Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that that Lord had commanded Moses. And with him was Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver and designer, a weaver of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine linen."

I have never realized it before, but there is a ton of information in the book of Exodus about leadership and teamwork. This verse is just an example. God told Moses to grab a skilled guy, Bezalel, and put him in charge of putting the tabernacle together. Now Bezalel had a great heritage. He was the grandson of Hur. Remember Hur? When Moses went on the mountain the original time, he told the people that they had Aaron and Hur to lead them. Obviously, Hur was a leader and his grandson got to see that.

Not only that, but this guy had unbelievable talent. Just look at all that he did, all the intricate work that he handled. God had given him the wisdom to figure out how all of this would work together. The measurements, the chemistry of it all, melting of gold and silver and bronze and layering it on acacia wood and making all of the items that needed to be made. It was an unbelievable task, but Bezalel was up to it because God had given him the ability.

But look at this, even though Bezalel was more than competent to do this work, he did not do it alone. "And with him was Aholiab…". Bezalel needed a partner. He needed a guy who also had skill who could come along side and encourage, and help, and work. His man was Aholiab who was a skilled engraver and designer and weaver. Where Bezalel may have been weak, Aholiab was strong. And where Aholiab was weak, Bezalel was strong. They fed off one another.

As I think about this, partnering is huge. Any time anything significant is done, it is not done by one guy. That guy or that woman has a partner. Someone who can come along side and encourage and help and work. Many times you don't know about that partner. Many times it is the "silent partner", but their presence is vital. If Steve Jobs did not meet Steve Wozniak, Apple computers would probably not be in existence. D.L. Moody had Ira Sankey. The Wright brothers had each other. Thomas Edison had a business partner but no one knows his name. Does anyone know who Melissa Moore Fitzpatrick is? (Beth Moore's research assistant.) Paul had Barnabas…and Silas…and Timothy. It is starting to sink into this thick head of mine. We need each other. We need someone who comes along and helps us in work and in ministry…frankly, in life.

I am thankful for many who have partnered with me. My wife is the best you could get. She is the one who encourages, and helps, and corrects. She is absolutely my best partner. I am thankful for guys who have been with me, it seems, forever. In leading worship it has been Terry McCann. There is no way I could do what is done without this guy. He is an unbelievable talent. He arranges, and changes keys and leads the band…and he is a friend who holds my feet to the fire. In ministry it is the guys I work with as elders. Randy, and Dave, and now Todd. These guys keep me in line and I know that they have my back…and I am thankful.

Moses and Bezalel and Aholiab teach us this…there are no lone rangers. We need each other. When we partner, watch what God does.