Exodus 31

God's Provision of the Skilled Workers

1 The Lord also spoke to Moses:

2 "Look, I have appointed by name Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.

3 I have filled him with God's Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every craft

4 to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze,

5 to cut gemstones for mounting, and to carve wood for work in every craft.

6 I have also selected Oholiab^[a] son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be with him. I have placed wisdom within every skilled craftsman^[b] in order to make all that I have commanded you:

7 the tent of meeting, the ark of the testimony, the mercy seat that is on top of it, and all the [other] furnishings of the tent-

8 the table with its utensils, the pure [gold] lampstand with all its utensils, the altar of incense,

9 the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, the basin with its stand-

10 the specially woven^[c] garments, both the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons to serve as priests,

11 the anointing oil, and the fragrant incense for the sanctuary. They must make [them] according to all that I have commanded you."

Observing the Sabbath

12 The Lord said to Moses:

13 "Tell the Israelites: You must observe My Sabbaths, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, so that you will know that I am the Lord who sets you apart.

14 Observe the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Whoever profanes it must be put to death. If anyone does work on it, that person must be cut off from his people.

15 For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there must be a Sabbath of complete rest, dedicated to the Lord. Anyone who does work on the Sabbath day must be put to death.

16 The Israelites must observe the Sabbath, celebrating it throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant.

17 It is a sign forever between Me and the Israelites, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed."

The Two Stone Tablets

18 When He finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, He gave him the two tablets of the testimony, stone tablets inscribed by the finger of God.

Exodus 31 Commentary

Chapter 31

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 ( 2 Corinthians. 3:3 )

Footnotes

• [a]. LXX, Syr read Eliab
• [b]. Lit every person skilled of heart
• [c]. Hb obscure

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 31

In this chapter an account is given of the persons whom God had chosen, and qualified for the work of building the tabernacle, and all things relating to it, and for the direction and oversight thereof, Ex 31:1-6 and an enumeration is made of the several things that were to be wrought, some in one way, some in another, Ex 31:7-11 the law of the sabbath is repeated, and the violation of it made death, Ex 31:12-17 and the chapter is concluded with observing, that at the close of the above orders, two tables of stone, with the law written upon them by the finger of God, were given to Moses, Ex 31:18.