Do you think you are an island and you can do it alone? Exodust 37-40

"With him there was ... "

This small phrase carries such large meaning.  In Exodus 37-40 we have the story of God using men to make His Tabernacle ... the place where He will dwell.   So, if you think about, God is looking for the right contractor to do the job.   Artistic contractors are a fickle group.   The artistic types seem to run on their own schedule and have a different mindset than the rest of us.   So, in looking for a contractor-artist, God chooses one - Bezalel.   Now by what we read Bezalel seems to be a very capable fellow.  Of the thousands of Israelites, he alone was chosen to head up the project.   But, even the capable Bezalel can't do it alone.   In 38:23 we read that "with him" was Oholiab.   Apparently Oholiab had a special skill set for working with material, while Bezalel had the ability to work with hard woods and metals.   Between the two of them and some other men, God uses the talents He gave man to accomplish the building of the tabernacle.   No matter how skilled one man might be the job is better and more accomplished "with" someone else.   God is still doing that today.   A church is not built with brick and mortar.  It is built with someone with the gift of teaching, of hospitality, of administration, of exhortation, etc.   God builds HIs church the same way He built the tabernacle ... with someone.  And that someone "with" others.   We do not do God's work without a "with."   When we attempt to serve alone we lose sight of God methods and His desires.  When Paul separated from Barnabas in Acts 16 we see he soon joined up with Titus and young Timothy while Barnabas continued with John Mark.   Let's realize that we accomplish more when we are "with" someone than alone.