“By me kings reign,” says Wisdom (Proverbs 8.15). But also by wisdom does one become a metalworker or any other kind of craftsman:
The Lord said to Moses, “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in golsd, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you: the tent of meeting, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furnishings of the tent, the table and its utensils, and the pure lampstand with all its utensils, and the altar of incense, and the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin and its stand, and the finely worked garments, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense for the Holy Place. According to all that I have commanded you, they shall do.”
The only problem with the ESV’s translation of Exodus 31.1ff is that the word they translated as “ability” in verse 3, is not the same word as the “able men” given “ability.” The first word is wisdom.
So how is wisdom related to skill in craftsmanship?
I think it is because that too is a realm in which one rules. In Proverbs we are exhorted to rule ourselves, our spirits, hands, feet, and eyes. With that wisdom comes the opportunity to learn how to rule over people in various ways. Thus Proverbs 22.29:
Do you see a man skillful in his work? [or “diligent in his business”]
He will stand before kings;
he will not stand before obscure men.
Rule in one area might mean one is ready for other kinds of authority.
Wisdom is both a result of and means of gaining dominion. You learn as you grow and you grow by what you have learned. Whether it is controlling your mouth, your artistic medium, or an army, it is all wisdom.
Ditches:
1. Peter Principle (promoted to level of incompetence).
2. Jack of all trades, master of none.
3. Assuming the person’s present money venture is utilizing or growing their gifting and thereby judging it’s lack of fruit as sufficient reason to NOT start a radically different venture according to the person’s calling or vision. Rule in NO apparent present area might still mean one is ready for another kind of authority. We should be highly-specialized members of a church body. Hardly anyone is going to be best used role-playing various organs or members.
4. Assuming the job transition is a baton pass from current authority rather than a new plant.