Read Exodus 31
Bezalel and Oholiab
1 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. 6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you: 7 the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent— 8 the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, 9 the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand— 10 and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, 11 and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you.”
The Sabbath
12 Then the Lord said to Moses, 13 “Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.
14 “‘Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people. 15 For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death. 16 The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. 17 It will be 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.’”
18 When the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the covenant law, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.
Go Deeper
Exodus 31 is a chapter that is important in its teachings, but also in its practical application. First, God chooses the people who will actually execute the plans of building the tabernacle and all the furnishings. Second, God commands Israel to observe the Sabbath so they may know that He is the Lord who makes them holy. Finally, we see God giving to Moses the two tablets of stone which were written by the finger of God. We know them as the Ten Commandments.
At this point, Moses has been on Mount Sinai with God for 40 days receiving detailed instructions of how the Israelites would worship God. As we read in Exodus 25:9, God told Moses to “make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.” Nothing is left to chance. No place is left for human scheming. Every single detail was designed by God. Now that the pattern had been completely set before Moses, God makes known who will execute these plans. He chooses two men: Bezalel (from the tribe of Judah) and Oholiab (from the tribe of Dan). We are told in 31:3 that they were filled with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship. God knew these were the right men for the job.
We have seen over and over in the book of Exodus (and Genesis before it) that God calls ordinary people, often the least qualified, to accomplish His will. Joseph was called from a dungeon to deliver Egypt from a famine. Moses was called from the back side of the wilderness to free Israel from slavery. Later on in the Old Testament, David, the youngest of Jesse’s sons, was called from the field as a young boy caring for his sheep to become Israel’s King. That’s just what God does.
Just as God chose Bezalel and Oholiab, He calls and equips us to live for a greater story–an eternal story that makes His name known to those who are living in darkness. May we surrender our fear, our insecurity, and our own selfish agenda, trusting Him to provide everything we need in order to live out the call that He has given us.
Questions
- In this chapter, what do you notice about God and how He accomplishes His work?
- In what ways might God be calling you to partner with Him in serving others and building His kingdom?
- How does knowing that God equips those He calls encourage you today? In what ways has God equipped you to uniquely serve Him today?
Did You Know?
The commandment to keep the Sabbath was strategically placed at the end of these instructions. God had just given them a great assignment that would take a lot of work but it was also vitally important that they remember to pause and remember the Sabbath.
9 thoughts on “Exodus 31”
God gives gifts and rest.
God gifted these two men and others with the ability to do the work He had for them. Bezalel, Oholiab, and the men who assisted them would be responsible for making the Ark of the Testimony, the mercy seat, all the furnishings for the tent, the table for the Bread of the Prescence, the gold lampstand, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering (bronze altar), the washing basin, the garments of the priests, the anointing oil, and the Tabernacle incense. He also gifts us with abilities to complete His work here and now. Tell others about Jesus Christ and eternal life, that free gift God gives. God also recommends ( commands) that we have a day of rest. That is not something we do in this day. This does not happen like I believe God planned. It should be a day of continual worship, so that it fills our souls and minds up with a overflowing Love for God. When the sabbath is over we should glow, be effervesently bubbling God and His love!!! Now, I need guidance on making that a part of my life. I have heard Kathy Davidson teach on it and books she recommends. I believe it would be so beneifical but, yet, I have not been intentional about making it happen in my life. I see again that is was a part of the ten commandments and that God deemed it important here in this chapter. So I will read up on how to make it a part of my life.
God thank You for direction with the idea of Sabbath. Thank You for showing and guiding me for my family. God thank You for all the informational instruction You give about important, close to Your heart information. God in these minutes of this day, let all my words, deeds and affections be glorifing to You. God thank You for the breath I breathe. Thank You for Your effervesing joy to surround my life. God thank You for Your love being evident to those around me and pouring over them through me today in these minutes in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There’s a guy, Jake Griggs, from my alma mater, Howard Payne University. I didn’t know him before reaching out to him one day, but his feed kept popping up on my FB feed probably due to the HPU connection. He is a sculptor. In my eyes, it was quite obvious that he had a God given gift. I was naturally curious, so I reached out to him and asked for a phone call with him to hear his story, and I’m so glad I did. It was encouraging and he pointed back to this very chapter in scripture about how God fillled him with the ability to sculpt. He tried on his own and failed before, but he didn’t have the ability until God provided it. Beautiful testimony and great friend now. A reminder that we are not enough, BUT GOD – GOD is enough!
Below is his website if you would like to see his God inspired work.
http://Www.griggssculpting.com
Thanks for sharing his amazing work!
I’m encouraged after reading today’s chapter that what God commands he also provides for. He issues the call on our lives and also provides the means to carry the mission to completion. More than any skill set, may we desire to be filled with the knowledge of God, his wisdom and understanding. Anything else is icing on the cake.
15 “For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death.“
I’ve known about the importance of Sabbath rest for a long time and have tried to adhere to that, but have often struggled. This is a good reminder to me that God takes this very seriously (death?!) so I definitely need to step up my game!
I have been hesitant to serve more due to my incapabilities but see clearly that God will equip me in the areas He wants me to serve. I do not need a seminary degree to share my faith, but a willing heart. Out of gratitude and love send me, Lord.
You are beatuifully and wonderfully made my friend. He equipes those He calls and sometimes that equipping is after the calling. Serve where He is calling, God will provide. Love You dear friend!! WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for your encouragement. Love you!!
How can be full of the spirit of god if the Holy Spirit hadn’t came yet?
But overall this chapter was a lot more interesting. It’s so cool to see when Jesus entrusts certain things to people!