Last May, Meghan Markle married Prince Harry (grandson of the Queen), and as usual, there was great excitement in many quarters about the wedding dress. Meghan’s dress was designed by the British fashion designer Clare Waight Keller (from the fashion house of Givenchy). It was custom-made of silk with three-quarter length sleeves, an open boat neckline and a train with built-in silk organza underskirt. The dress featured only six seams and had no lace or other embellishments, though a piece of the blue dress worn by Meghan on her first date with Prince Harry was stitched into the gown. The veil worn by Meghan was 5 metres long and was hand-embroidered with a variety of flowers on its hem.
This kind of attention to detail turns clothing into an art form, and the same kind of attention to detail and skill are found in the Biblical account of the priestly garments made for Aaron (Exodus 39).
Here, an army of craftspeople – metalworkers, weavers, embroiderers and gemmologists, led by Bezalel and Oholiab – work to produce garments worn by Aaron and items for the tabernacle. We are told about the colour of the yarn used, the intricate gold filigree, the precious jewels and the fine linen. The metalwork is described as being ‘the work of skilled hands.’ (Ex 39:2-3) The ephod had ‘a skilfully woven waistband.’ (Ex 39:5) The breastplate made was ‘the work of a skilled craftsman.’ (Ex 39:8) the robe of the ephod, made entirely of blue cloth, showed off a weaver’s skill (Ex 39:22). Everything made was lavish, down to the golden bells and pomegranates attached to the hem of the robe. (Ex 39:24-25)
Such magnificence is appropriate for a special garment like a wedding dress or a priest’s robe. We are in awe of the skill of designers and artists who capture the splendour of such occasions.
Bezalel and Oholiab – names that are not familiar to most people – and their team of skilled craftsmen are heroes to me. They symbolise Paul’s principle that whatever we do, we do for the Lord and should do with all our hearts and might. (Col 3:17) That may well be something utterly practical (weaving, sewing, knitting, metalwork or whatever), but the practical skills can be given to God and can result in something functional which is also beautiful. God deserves the very best (as the attention to detail in these narratives prove), but that best is achieved through training and skill offered freely to Him. The Bible narrative makes it very plain that the work of Bezalel and Oholiab was God-inspired (Ex 31:1-6). May we realise that when we offer our talents to God, the result can have lasting significance and an eternal impact.