And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.
And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;
The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle,
And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense,
And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot,
And the cloths of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest’s office,
And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.
Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
Exodus 31 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, transitioning from the detailed instructions for the Tabernacle to the practical implementation of God's design. This chapter highlights God's multifaceted approach: He not only provides the vision but also equips individuals with the necessary skills and emphasizes the importance of sacred rest and divine authority. Exodus 31 is a chapter about provision, purpose, and the profound significance of honoring God in both work and rest.
The Divine Appointment of Artisans (Exodus 31:1-11)
Exodus 31:1-11 reveals that God doesn't just give commands; He also empowers people to fulfill them. The Lord specifically names Bezalel and Oholiab as leaders in the construction of the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priestly garments. This is no accident. God intentionally selected and gifted these men with the skills and wisdom needed for this sacred task. Exodus 31:3 states that Bezalel was filled with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship. This divine endowment underscores a crucial truth: God provides the means to accomplish what He calls you to do. Whether it's a grand project like the Tabernacle or a daily task, He equips us with the gifts, talents, and resources necessary to honor Him through our work. The meticulous detail in which these artisans are chosen, and their skills described, reflect the meticulous care God takes in all aspects of His plan. God cares about the details, and He cares about equipping His people for the work He calls them to.
The Sabbath: A Sign of Covenant (Exodus 31:12-17)
The emphasis shifts in Exodus 31:12-17 to the importance of observing the Sabbath. God reminds Israel of the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy, a day of complete rest dedicated to Him. This wasn't just a day off; it was a tangible expression of their covenant relationship with God. Exodus 31:13 emphasizes the Sabbath as a sign between God and the Israelites, signifying that He is the Lord who sanctifies them.
The consequences of disregarding the Sabbath were severe, as stated in Exodus 31:14-15, carrying the death penalty. This highlights the seriousness with which God viewed the Sabbath and, by extension, the covenant relationship. To reject the Sabbath was to reject God Himself. The Sabbath serves as a weekly reminder to cease from our own labors and acknowledge God as the source of our provision and rest. It's an invitation to enter into His presence and be refreshed, both physically and spiritually.
The Tablets of Testimony (Exodus 31:18)
Exodus 31:18 concludes the chapter with God giving Moses the two stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments, "written with the finger of God." These tablets were to be placed inside the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:16), serving as a constant reminder of God's law and His covenant with Israel. The act of God inscribing the law with His own finger underscores the divine origin and authority of these commandments. They are not merely human constructs but the very Word of God, reflecting His character and will. This divine authorship reinforces the importance of obeying God's law, not out of obligation, but out of love and reverence for the one who gave it. The law, therefore, is attributed to the very hand of God, signifying its divine origin and immutable truth.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.
And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;
The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle,
And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense,
And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot,
And the cloths of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest’s office,
And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.
Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
Exodus 31 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, transitioning from the detailed instructions for the Tabernacle to the practical implementation of God's design. This chapter highlights God's multifaceted approach: He not only provides the vision but also equips individuals with the necessary skills and emphasizes the importance of sacred rest and divine authority. Exodus 31 is a chapter about provision, purpose, and the profound significance of honoring God in both work and rest.
The Divine Appointment of Artisans (Exodus 31:1-11)
Exodus 31:1-11 reveals that God doesn't just give commands; He also empowers people to fulfill them. The Lord specifically names Bezalel and Oholiab as leaders in the construction of the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priestly garments. This is no accident. God intentionally selected and gifted these men with the skills and wisdom needed for this sacred task. Exodus 31:3 states that Bezalel was filled with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship. This divine endowment underscores a crucial truth: God provides the means to accomplish what He calls you to do. Whether it's a grand project like the Tabernacle or a daily task, He equips us with the gifts, talents, and resources necessary to honor Him through our work. The meticulous detail in which these artisans are chosen, and their skills described, reflect the meticulous care God takes in all aspects of His plan. God cares about the details, and He cares about equipping His people for the work He calls them to.
The Sabbath: A Sign of Covenant (Exodus 31:12-17)
The emphasis shifts in Exodus 31:12-17 to the importance of observing the Sabbath. God reminds Israel of the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy, a day of complete rest dedicated to Him. This wasn't just a day off; it was a tangible expression of their covenant relationship with God. Exodus 31:13 emphasizes the Sabbath as a sign between God and the Israelites, signifying that He is the Lord who sanctifies them.
The consequences of disregarding the Sabbath were severe, as stated in Exodus 31:14-15, carrying the death penalty. This highlights the seriousness with which God viewed the Sabbath and, by extension, the covenant relationship. To reject the Sabbath was to reject God Himself. The Sabbath serves as a weekly reminder to cease from our own labors and acknowledge God as the source of our provision and rest. It's an invitation to enter into His presence and be refreshed, both physically and spiritually.
The Tablets of Testimony (Exodus 31:18)
Exodus 31:18 concludes the chapter with God giving Moses the two stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments, "written with the finger of God." These tablets were to be placed inside the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:16), serving as a constant reminder of God's law and His covenant with Israel. The act of God inscribing the law with His own finger underscores the divine origin and authority of these commandments. They are not merely human constructs but the very Word of God, reflecting His character and will. This divine authorship reinforces the importance of obeying God's law, not out of obligation, but out of love and reverence for the one who gave it. The law, therefore, is attributed to the very hand of God, signifying its divine origin and immutable truth.