Are We Close Enough in the Shadow of God? Walking in His Presence and Discernment
In Exodus 25:9, God instructs Moses to build the tabernacle and design all its furnishings "according to the pattern I show you." This wasn’t just a vague suggestion; it was a clear and direct command from God. The tabernacle was to be a holy place, designed exactly as God envisioned it. And Moses was tasked with not only receiving this design but also communicating it with absolute precision to those who would build it.
Have you ever played the game telephone? One person whispers a message to the next in line, and by the time it reaches the end, the message is often unrecognizable. Now, imagine trying to communicate a vision as sacred and intricate as God’s tabernacle design, with no blueprints, no tangible references—only a divine revelation. The task Moses faced would have been daunting, to say the least. Yet, God didn’t leave him to struggle with the task alone. He called two men, Bezalel and Oholiab, to help him. These men were specifically chosen by God, filled with His Spirit, and equipped with the wisdom and skill needed to bring His vision to life.
But what gave Bezalel and Oholiab the confidence to undertake such an enormous responsibility? And what can we learn from their example when we are called to carry out difficult tasks in our own lives?
Walking in the Shadow of God: Intimacy and Confidence
To understand how Bezalel and Oholiab could confidently take on this responsibility, we must look at the meaning of their names:
Bezalel means “in the shadow of God.”
Oholiab means “the tent of the Father.”
These names are more than just identifiers—they point to the closeness and intimacy they shared with God. To be “in the shadow of God” is to be in close proximity to His presence. When you’re close enough to someone’s shadow, you can hear their footsteps, feel the warmth of their nearness, and even learn their rhythm and movements. In the same way, Bezalel and Oholiab’s proximity to God gave them the discernment and confidence they needed to fulfill His will.
This intimacy with God was the key to their ability to faithfully execute the task before them. God gave them His Spirit, not just to carry out the physical labor of building the tabernacle, but to also understand His heart and vision. The closer we are to God, the more clearly we can understand His plans and purpose for our lives, just as Bezalel and Oholiab were able to see and implement God's vision for the tabernacle.
But being “in the shadow of God” is not just about proximity—it’s about intimacy. It’s about knowing His ways, understanding His heart, and learning to recognize His presence.
The Disciple John: Leaning on the Chest of Jesus
The intimacy that Bezalel and Oholiab shared with God mirrors the relationship Jesus had with His disciple John. In John 13:23, we are told that at the Last Supper, John leaned on Jesus’ chest. John was so close to Jesus that he likely could hear His heartbeat. This wasn’t just a casual moment—it was a picture of the deep relationship John had with Jesus, a closeness that allowed him to experience the very heart of God.
Can we say that we have that level of intimacy with God? Are we close enough to Jesus that we can hear His heartbeat, feel His presence, and discern His will for our lives?
John’s closeness to Jesus wasn’t about physical proximity alone—it was a reflection of his heart's desire to be near Jesus, to learn from Him, and to be in tune with His spirit. Like John, we are called to press into the heart of God, to lean in close and listen, to understand His desires for us and for the world.
The Shadow of the Almighty: Finding Refuge and Protection
David, too, knew the importance of dwelling in God’s shadow. In Psalm 91:1, David writes, "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." David’s life was marked by moments of running from enemies and seeking refuge in God’s presence. One such moment was in 1 Samuel 23, when David was hiding in the wilderness of Engedi, fleeing from King Saul who sought to kill him. In that moment of danger and fear, David found safety and protection in the shadow of God.
When we talk about being “in the shadow of God,” it’s not just about proximity for the sake of intimacy—it’s also about finding refuge, protection, and provision. David ran into God’s shadow for safety, and there, he found the courage to face his enemies. Likewise, when we find ourselves in danger—whether spiritual, emotional, or physical—we are invited to run into God’s presence for protection and provision.
The shadow of God is a place where we find rest for our souls, where we are shielded from the storms of life, and where we can trust that He will provide for us in our time of need. But to experience this, we must be close enough to recognize His shadow and find rest in His presence.
Are We Close Enough to Discern His Will?
In the same way that Bezalel and Oholiab were able to faithfully execute God’s blueprint for the tabernacle, we too are called to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). But in order to do this, we must be close enough to God to understand His will and discern His ways.
We cannot rightly divide the word of truth if we are not intimately acquainted with God’s heart and His word. Just as Bezalel and Oholiab could only succeed in their task because they were close to God, we can only succeed in rightly understanding and applying God’s Word when we walk closely with Him. This is why studying the Bible is not just about reading it—it’s about pressing in, asking for wisdom, and seeking understanding. We must be intentional about studying Scripture, not as a mere academic exercise, but as a way of drawing near to God and knowing His will more deeply.
Are we leaning in to hear God’s whispers? Are we studying His Word with a heart of humility, asking Him to reveal His truth to us? Are we willing to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we are no longer conformed to the patterns of this world, but conformed to His (Romans 12:2)?
Pressing Into the Tent of God: A Lifestyle of Intimacy
To truly live in the shadow of God, we must adopt a lifestyle of intimacy and intentionality. It’s not enough to visit God’s presence occasionally; we are called to dwell in His tent, to make His presence our home. Just as the tabernacle was a place where God’s people met with Him, we are invited to habitually dwell in His presence—drawing near, pressing into His heart, and living in the shadow of the Almighty.
This requires more than just intellectual knowledge of Scripture. It requires heartfelt intimacy with God. We need to spend time in prayer, study, and worship—continually pressing into the presence of God, seeking His guidance, and allowing His Spirit to shape and transform us. This is the secret to rightly discerning His will and walking confidently in His purposes for our lives.
Conclusion: Pressing Into God’s Presence
Are we close enough to recognize God’s shadow? Are we in His tent, resting under His protection and provision? Are we so near to God that we can hear His whispers, feel His heartbeat, and discern His will?
Like Bezalel and Oholiab, we are called to carry out specific tasks for God. But we can only fulfill these tasks faithfully if we are walking in His shadow, listening for His guidance, and drawing near to His heart. When we are in the presence of God—whether in the safety of His shadow or in the intimacy of His tent—we can walk confidently, knowing that He will equip us for whatever He calls us to do.
Let’s press into God’s presence, lean on His Word, and make our home in His tent. As we do, we will find strength, wisdom, and discernment to rightly divide the word of truth and to walk out the tasks He has set before us.
