Bezalel and Oholiab
God gave instructions for the Tabernacle complex and...
God gave instructions for the Tabernacle complex and for those who would serve in it. He also chose and empowered those who would do the work.
1Then the LORD said to Moses, 2“See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship, 4to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, 5to cut gemstones for settings, and to carve wood, so that he may be a master of every craft.
6Moreover, I have selected Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, as his assistant.
I have also given skill to all the craftsmen, that they may fashion all that I have commanded you: 7the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony† and the mercy seat upon it, and all the other furnishings of the tent— 8the table with its utensils, the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, the altar of incense, 9the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin with its stand— 10as well as the woven garments, both the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons to serve as priests, 11in addition to the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them according to all that I have commanded you.”
The Sign of the Sabbath
The Sabbath was understood to be the unique...
The Sabbath was understood to be the unique sign of the covenant (31:13, 16, 17; see also 20:8–11; Isa 58:13–14; Jer 17:21–27; Neh 13:15–22). The Sabbath is also said to figure significantly in the achievement of God’s underlying purpose of making his people holy, that is, set apart for his exclusive use and sharing his character (Exod 31:13, 14, 15). Resting from their own work (31:15, 17) was also a practical way of demonstrating genuine dependence on God to meet their needs (see 20:8–11 and study notes).
12And the LORD said to Moses, 13“Tell the Israelites, ‘Surely you must keep My Sabbaths, for this will be a sign between Me and you for the generations to come, so that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.
It is absolutely important to learn that we...
It is absolutely important to learn that we can find life in God only by coming to him in his way. This is underlined by the death sentence for disobedience (see also Num 15:32–36). This is not to say that followers of God must always punish those who commit these offenses in this way; but here at the outset, it was vital to make this truth clear (see Acts 5:1–11). If the spiritual truth of this lesson has not been learned, mere ritual obedience will be of no value (see Col 2:16–19).
14Keep the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Anyone who profanes it must surely be put to death. Whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from among his people. 15For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must surely be put to death.
16The Israelites must keep the Sabbath, celebrating it as a permanent covenant for the generations to come. 17It is a sign between Me and the Israelites forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’”
Moses Receives the Tablets
18When the LORD had finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, He gave him the two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.