Tools of the Bible

Tools of the Bible is a fun and brief discussion of tools, craftsmen, and materials based on a list compiled by the grandfather of author Rich Sanders, Bud Sweatt, and features the tools and materials that Bud used to build many things over the course of his life. Rich has two reasons for transforming Bud's list into a book. First, he wants to honor his grandfather's hard work and outstanding craftsmanship that is a part of his legacy in the family even today. Second, Rich wants to inspire readers and their families to embrace a deeper relationship with God through reading the Bible and begin to think about tools, craftsmanship, and materials that God provides to all of His children as ways to honor Him, like Bud did. Rich hopes that he will inspire readers to pursue a "diligent application of a Bible-driven life" like Bud did. Rich's overarching goal in writing this book is to encourage people to develop a closer relationship with God. For people who like tools, he hopes they will read the Bible to learn more about how God's people used tools to live, work, and glorify Him. For people who like to read the Bible, he hopes that this focus on tools will enhance and deepen their understanding of Holy Scripture from the unique perspective of a carpenter. To help make this book enjoyable for everyone to read, he intentionally kept the discussion of each tool, craftsman, and material to fewer than 200 words.Bud's mastery of tools is highlighted in this book, as Rich discusses the materials that Bud used to make different things. The family lore is that "he could make anything from anything"! This kind of innovative spirit is reflected throughout the Bible, as people over thousands of years have met the challenges of life, and opportunities to glorify God, through using tools to assist them in their work.The six pages of Bud's notes include a list of Biblical books, chapters, and verses that mention tools, craftsmen, and the materials they used. He did make one editorial note, however: "The most gifted Craftsmen mentioned in the Bible were Bezalel and Oholiab, who were endowed by God with skills needed to build and furnish the Tabernacle." Throughout the Bible, many people likewise used a wide range of tools materials to accomplish their work and glorify God.