Exodus Chapter 31
1 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
2 "Behold, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.
3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all kinds of workmanship,
4 to devise skilful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in bronze,
5 and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of workmanship.
6 Behold, I myself have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the heart of all who are wise-hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded you:
7 the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the covenant, the mercy seat that is on it, all the furniture of the Tent,
8 the table and its vessels, the pure lamp stand with all its vessels, the altar of incense,
9 the altar of burnt offering with all its vessels, the basin and its base,
10 the finely worked garments-the holy garments for Aaron the priest, the garments of his sons to minister in the priest's office-
11 the anointing oil, and the incense of sweet spices for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded you they shall do."
12 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
13 "Speak also to the children of Israel, saying, 'Most certainly you shall keep my Sabbaths; for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.
14 You shall keep the Sabbath therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from amongst his people.
15 Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall surely be put to death.
16 Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.' "
18 When he finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, he gave Moses the two tablets of the covenant, stone tablets, written with God's finger.
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Exodus Chapter 31 Guide
It should be borne in mind that in a certain way, these people were necessarily vulgarized by centuries of slavery and almost certainly devoid of that artistic ability which would enable them to construct the Tabernacle according to pattern. Moreover, they were far removed from the centres of human refinement. They were, however, a people gathered around God, who is ever equal to the task of fitting His people for doing all that His will appoints. Bezalel was filled with the Spirit of God, and the effect of that on him is described. He had "wisdom," that is capacity; "understanding," which indicates progress; and "knowledge," the attainment of skill.
The commandment concerning the Sabbath had already been enunciated in the Law. The insertion of a reference to it at this point is interesting.God had commissioned the people to a work specially sacred. Moreover, He had provided for carrying out the work in the special equipment of certain men. How easy it would have been for them to imagine that in doing this work they might dispense with the Sabbath observance.
This first period of communion between God and Moses ended with giving the two tables of stone written with the finger of God.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Exodus Chapter 31 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- Bezaleel and Aholiab are appointed and qualified for the work of the tabernacle. -- (1-11)
- The observance of the sabbath. -- (12-17)
- Moses receives the tables of the law. -- (18)
Verses 1-11
The Israelites, who had been masons and bricklayers in Egypt, were not qualified for curious workmanship; but the Spirit who gave the apostles utterance in divers tongues, miraculously gave Bezaleel and Aholiab the skill that was wanting. The honour which comes from God, is always attended with a work to be done; to be employed for God is high honour. Those whom God calls to any service, he will find or make fit for it. The Lord gives different gifts to different persons; let each mind his proper work, diligently remembering that whatever wisdom any one possesses, the Lord put it in the heart, to do his commandments.
Verses 12-17
Orders were now given that a tabernacle should be set up for the service of God. But they must not think that the nature of the work, and the haste that was required, would justify them in working at it on sabbath days. The Hebrew word /shabath/ signifies rest, or ceasing from labour. The thing signified by the sabbath is that rest in glory which remains for the people of God; therefore the moral obligation of the sabbath must continue, till time is swallowed up in eternity.
Verse 18
The law was written in tables of stone, to show how lasting it is: to denote likewise the hardness of our hearts; one might more easily write on stone, than write any thing good on our corrupt natural hearts. It was written with the finger of God; by his will and power. God only can write his law in the heart: he gives a heart of flesh; then, by his Spirit, which is the finger of God, writes his will in the heart, 2Co 3:3.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.