God Gives the Craftsmen and Marks His People by the Sabbath

31:1 The Lord spoke to Moses: 31:2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 31:3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God in skill, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, 31:4 to make artistic designs for work with gold, with silver, and with bronze, 31:5 and with cutting and setting stone, and with cutting wood, to work in all kinds of craftsmanship. 31:6 Moreover, I have also given him Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, and I have given ability to all the specially skilled, that they may make everything I have commanded you: 31:7 the tent of meeting, the ark of the testimony, the atonement lid that is on it, all the furnishings of the tent, 31:8 the table with its utensils, the pure lampstand with all its utensils, the altar of incense, 31:9 the altar for the burnt offering with all its utensils, the large basin with its base, 31:10 the woven garments, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons, to minister as priests, 31:11 the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the Holy Place. They will make all these things just as I have commanded you.” 31:12 The Lord said to Moses, 31:13 “Tell the Israelites, ‘Surely you must 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. 31:14 So you must keep the Sabbath, for it is holy for you. Everyone who defiles it must surely be put to death; indeed, if anyone does any work on it, then that person will be cut off from among his people. 31:15 Six days work may be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the Lord; anyone who does work on the Sabbath day must surely be put to death. 31:16 the Israelites must keep the Sabbath by observing the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. 31:17 It is a sign between me and the Israelites forever; for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’” 31:18 He gave Moses two tablets of testimony when he had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, tablets of stone written by the finger of God.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

The Lord chose Bezalel and Oholiab and gave them skill to build the tabernacle exactly as he commanded. He also gave Israel the Sabbath as a holy sign of the covenant, showing that he sanctifies his people. The passage ends with God giving Moses the stone tablets written by his own hand.

God did not only command the tabernacle. He also gave the people and the gifts needed to build it. Bezalel was filled with the Spirit of God, and Oholiab and the other skilled workers were also given ability. Their work was not their own idea. They were to make everything just as the Lord commanded.

Then the Lord reminded Israel to keep the Sabbath. The Sabbath was a sign between the Lord and Israel through their generations. It showed that the Lord set them apart and made them holy. The command was serious, and Israel was to treat that day as holy rest under God’s rule.

The unit ends with Moses receiving the two tablets of testimony. They were written by the finger of God. This shows that the covenant law came from God himself and carried his full authority.

• God supplies the workers and the skills needed for the work he commands.
• The Spirit of God can equip practical service and craftsmanship for holy use.
• God’s people must do his work according to his command, not human invention.
• The Sabbath was a covenant sign for Israel and pointed to the Lord who sanctifies his people.
• The stone tablets were written by God, showing the authority of the covenant law.

• God commands the tabernacle to be made exactly as he instructed.
• Israel must keep the Sabbath as a holy sign of the covenant.
• The passage warns that Sabbath violation brought severe covenant judgment in Israel.
• The Lord shows that he sanctifies his people.
• The people are to honor what God has made holy.

God is forming a redeemed people at Sinai. He provides the skilled workers for his dwelling place, gives Israel a covenant sign in the Sabbath, and places his written law in their midst. All of this shows that his holy presence among his people comes by his own command and grace.

God still gives gifts for service, and all true service must be shaped by his word. Skilled work done for his glory matters. His people should also respect his holy order, remember that sanctification comes from him, and treat his commands with seriousness. The passage also reminds us not to take Israel’s covenant laws and penalties and apply them directly to the church.

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