Exodus 31

1 The LORD spoke to Moshe, saying,

2 "Behold, I have called by name Betzal'el the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Yehudah:

3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,

4 to devise skillful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,

5 and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all manner of workmanship.

6 I, behold, I have appointed with him Oholi'av, the son of Achisamakh, 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 testimony, the mercy seat that is on it, all the furniture of the Tent,

8 the table and its vessels, the pure menorah 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 Aharon the Kohen -- the garments of his sons to minister in the Kohen'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 Moshe, saying,

13 "Speak also to the children of Yisra'el, saying, 'Most assuredly you shall keep my Shabbatot: 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 Shabbat 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 among his people.

15 Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Shabbat of solemn rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the day of Shabbat shall surely be put to death.

16 Therefore the children of Yisra'el shall keep the Shabbat, to observe the Shabbat throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.

17 It is a sign between me and the children of Yisra'el forever; for in six days the LORD made heaven and eretz, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.'"

18 He gave to Moshe, when he finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, stone tablets, written with God's finger.

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 )

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.