The Israelites were given detailed instructions for building the temple (Ex. 26-30). The Israelites must have wondered how they could possibly take on such a task, and so do I. So many exact measurements are provided for the tabernacle and its various parts—the table for bread, the golden lampstand, the bronze altar, even the priests’ garments. Just the task of building the Ark of the Covenant alone-the place where God dwells-must alone have given them a sense of great responsibility. But in the face of this challenge, God also gave the Israelites the ability to follow His instructions. Similarly, as I begin to learn Amharic, I can know that God will provide me with what I need to learn it.
Logistically speaking, I know that God has already provided our family with Zabeeb, our Ethiopian caregiver. Without her, who loves the girls as though they were her own, I could not go to language school. Before coming, we prayed that CMF would be able to find the right person for us. The person we thought we wanted was employed by another family before we could come. But I think that is because God knew we needed Zabeeb.
She is one of the most significant ways I have seen God provide for me in relation to my language learning. But there have been many other ways as well. Yet another answer to prayer is Almaz, a student from our seminary compound who began coming to our house twice a week. We have tea and speak Amharic. I try to use the language as much as I can, and the more I pray and look for opportunities, the more they come.
Even though I can see all of the ways God is providing for me, I still doubt myself. The task is daunting, and sometimes I feel like I’m losing before I start. But, just like God gave Bezalel everything he needed to complete the temple, he can help me, too. Moses says of Bezalel: “See, the Lord has called [him] by name, and has fitted him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every skilled craft” (Ex. 35: 30-33).
I think it is no coincidence that in verse 31, the Spirit of God is listed first. This is the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead (Rom. 8: 11), and He is the one who enables me to live and serve Him. Since God has called me to this work and has given me His Spirit, why am I still afraid? Maybe for the same reason Peter was afraid when he was surrounded by the wind and waves.
Maybe I am afraid because so often, I come at a hard task wielding the best of all I have to offer—I like the classroom environment, I am intelligent and a good learner, and so therefore, I should be able to make quick progress. But I come up woefully lacking when faced with the challenge of this language. And so, every morning I am forced to realize that I need Him. Every correctly structured sentence, any bit of sense that leaves my mouth, every victory comes from Him.
Rather than list my skills first, and then ask for His help, I need to rely on His Spirit first. I need to look at Jesus, who is holding out his hand and telling me to follow. His power is so great toward us who believe (Ephesians 1: 19), and His resources are immeasurable. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4: 19). He is the one who has called me to this work, and He is the one who will complete it.
As Doug Myers at Eastridge Church Addis explains in his sermon series entitled R.E.D., Peter wasn’t doubting Jesus. He was doubting himself. This reasoning makes more sense when we understand what meant to be called by a Rabbi. As Myers explained, only the best students were called, and the rest had to leave their studies and go to a trade school. When Jesus called the 12 disciples, he was calling those who had missed their chance. Of course, then, they would leave everything and follow him. When a Rabbi calls you, he is essentially saying “You can do what I do!” In fact, as Jesus said to his disciples, “You will do even greater things than these” (John 14: 12).
It is easier to trust God’s promise to provide when the new words come easily and the grammar fog is starting to clear. On other days the language seems like a giant tidal wave headed my way. But when I feel myself slipping, I need to listen to Jesus who promises to hold me fast.
In Exodus 39: 32ff, all of the work of the tabernacle was finished. I know that it was because God filled Bezalel with his Spirit, and “put skill into his mind” (Ex. 36: 1-2). God is so good—he called them to complete a daunting task, but He also gave them His Spirit and the ability to do it. As a result, the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34). I pray that as I learn to rely on Him to complete the work, that the people around me would be stunned by His glory.