Exodus 31
In Exodus 31, God appoints Bezalel and Oholiab and gives them the wisdom and skill needed to complete the work of the tabernacle. The chapter shows that the construction of the Tent of Meeting and its furnishings is not merely a human project, but work empowered by the Spirit of God. It also renews the command to keep the Sabbath, one of the central signs of Israel’s covenant relationship with God.
1verseThe LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
2verse“Behold, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.
3verseI have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all kinds of workmanship,
4verseto devise skillful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in bronze,
5verseand in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of workmanship.
6verseBehold, 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:
7versethe Tent of Meeting, the ark of the covenant, the mercy seat that is on it, all the furniture of the Tent,
8versethe table and its vessels, the pure lamp stand with all its vessels, the altar of incense,
9versethe altar of burnt offering with all its vessels, the basin and its base,
10versethe finely worked garments—the holy garments for Aaron the priest, the garments of his sons to minister in the priest’s office—
11versethe anointing oil, and the incense of sweet spices for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded you they shall do.”
12verseThe LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
13verse“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.
14verseYou 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 among his people.
15verseSix 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.
16verseTherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
17verseIt 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.’”
18verseWhen he finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, he gave Moses the two tablets of the covenant, stone tablets, written with God’s finger.
The Appointment of Bezalel and Oholiab
In the opening part of Chapter 31 (verses 1–11), God appoints Bezalel of the tribe of Judah and Oholiab of the tribe of Dan as the overall supervisors for all the work related to the Tabernacle and for the production of the ceremonial implements. He fills them with the Spirit, granting them wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, along with various skills, so that they can carry out God’s will. In addition, God commands them to make everything—various articles, the priestly garments, the sacred anointing oil, and even the incense—according to the specified plan.
The Command to Keep the Sabbath
Along with all the preparations for the Tabernacle, what God emphasizes especially is the observance of the Sabbath (verses 12–17). God says that the Sabbath is to be set apart as holy—a sign that reveals that they are God’s people, and a covenant to be kept for a long time, following God’s example of how He created the world and rested. Those who do not keep the Sabbath receive a serious warning, and the entire congregation is reminded once again how precious this regulation is.
The Giving of the Stone Tablets
In the final verse (verse 18), God gives Moses the two tablets of the testimony, the stone tablets written by the finger of God, on Mount Sinai. Together with all the commands given earlier, this emphasizes the weight of God’s covenant and His word. The standards by which Israel is to live are not merely human instructions; they are grounded in God’s own authority.
Meditation Points
- God’s work requires God’s wisdom and power: Remember that the building of the tabernacle, and even the ministry of worship itself, begins not with human strength but with the wisdom and fullness of the Spirit that God provides.
- The value of holy rest: As you meditate on the Sabbath, regard it not as a mere ritual or break from work, but as a time that renews your relationship with God.
- God’s word as the standard: This chapter reminds us again that the source and standard of faith and life is not human opinion, but God’s word.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Before everything I have to carry out (ministry, work, vocation), I can pray asking for God’s help and wisdom.
- I can check how to establish a balance between rest and worship, and regularly review the habit of resting within God’s presence.
- I can also examine whether my life’s standard is based on God’s word rather than the values of the world, and reflect on whether I apply His word to my life.
