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== Craftsmen ==
Craftsmen (I don't know if the Biblical terminology includes women or not) are people who use the tools of their trade -- be it pottery, fabric, carpentry, metal work or stone masonry -- to fashion raw materials into something useful or beautiful. What they fashion might be honouring to God or not. In the latter case the Bible is obviously critical -- for instance the condemnation in [[Deuteronomy 27:15]] of craftsmen who made make idols, and Paul's response to the opposition of "Alexander the metalworker" in [[2 Timothy 4:14]].
The skills and the wisdom of craftsmen are bestowed by God ([[Exodus 28:3]], [[Exodus 35:31]]). In fact Wisdom herself is referred to as the craftsman at God's side in [([Proverbs 8:30]]). One of the outcomes of God's craftsmanship is us -- "we are God's workmanship" according to [[Ephesians 2:10]]. God crafts us with the tools of love, grace, relationships with others, suffering and the Spirit of Christ Jesus within us. We have been manufactured for a purpose and to the extent that our creative workmanship honours God, we are functioning as designed. From [[Exodus 26]] to [[Exodus 30]], God describes his design for the Tabernacle, and a list of the required furnishings, priestly garments etc. Then, in [[Exodus 31:1]] - [[Exodus 31:11]], God appoints the chief craftsman and his assistant. Note the phrases "I have chosen", "I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge", and "I have given skill to all the craftsmen". The role of the craftsman is no less spiritual or dependent on God than those who serve in other ways. This is reminiscent of the selection of deacons in [[Acts 6]]: even for the menial task of handing out food, the candidates needed to be "full of the Spirit and wisdom". No less is true of the modern technologist. To serve God is to recognise that the abilities with which we serve God were given by God in the first place. To serve God as a computer programmer or engineer or doctor requires us to be filled with the Spirit of God and with God's wisdom. [[Exodus 35]][[1 Kings 7]]
From [[Exodus 26]] to [[Exodus 30]], God describes his design for the Tabernacle, and a list of the required furnishings, priestly garments etc. Then, in [[Exodus 31:1]] - [[Exodus 31:11]], God appoints Bezalel as the chief craftsman and Oholiab as his assistant. Note the phrases "I have chosen", "I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge", and "I have given skill to all the craftsmen". The role of the craftsman is no less spiritual or dependent on God than those who serve in other ways. This is reminiscent of the selection of deacons in [[Acts 6]], where even the menial task of handing out food requried candidates who were "full of the Spirit and wisdom". No less is true of modern technologists, who must still recognise that the abilities with which they serve God were given by God in the first place. To serve God as a computer programmer or engineer or doctor requires us to be filled with the Spirit and wisdom of God.
Bezalel and Oholiab were generalists, who could create artistic designs and undertake work in metal, stone and wood. They also lead and managed other craftsmen. In [[Exodus 35:30]] - [[Exodus 35:35]], Moses extends their mandate to include teaching. We continue to recognise leadership, management and teaching as important roles for technologists. The best technologists not only design and create, but also pass on their knowledge and act as role-models who show how a true craftsman brings glory to God.
Another interesting example of the appointment of a senior craftsman is when Solomon requests assistance to build the Temple from the king of Tyre ([[2 Chronicles 2:7]]), who responds by sending Huram-Abi ([[2 Chronicles 2:13]] - [[2 Chronicles 2:14]], see also [[1 Kings 7:13]] - [[1 Kings 7:14]]). Lest the reader wonder about a hired foreigner playing such a major role in the building of the Temple, the writer points out that Huram's mother was Jewish. Huram's skills are similar to Bezalel's and Oholiab's, as well as being proficient in textiles and engraving.
In summary, craftsmen are honoured in the Bible to the extent that they apply their skills to God's glory. Their use of technology for that end is repeatedly encouraged.
