Exodus 31
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1Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2“Behold, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: 3and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all kinds of workmanship, 4to devise skillful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of workmanship. 6Behold, 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: 7the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the testimony, the mercy seat that is on it, all the furniture of the Tent, 8the table and its vessels, the pure lamp stand with all its vessels, the altar of incense, 9the altar of burnt offering with all its vessels, the basin and its base, 10the finely worked garments—the holy garments for Aaron the priest—the garments of his sons to minister in the priest’s office, 11the anointing oil, and the incense of sweet spices for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded you they shall do.” 12Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 13“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 Yahweh who sanctifies you. 14You 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. 15Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Yahweh. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall surely be put to death. 16Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.’” 18He gave to Moses, when he finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, stone tablets, written with God’s finger.
World English Bible (public domain)
“You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, 'Above all, you shall keep my sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the Lord, sanctify you.'”
Exodus 31:13
Summary
In Exodus chapter 31, God speaks to Moses, designating Bezalel and Oholiab as key artisans for the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. Bezalel is filled with the Spirit of God, which enables him to craft all the intricate designs required for the sacred space. This emphasizes God's direct involvement in the creative process and the importance of skilled artistry in worship. The chapter also highlights the significance of the Sabbath, where God commands the Israelites to observe a day of rest, setting it apart as a holy day. This serves as a reminder of the covenant between God and His people, showcasing the balance between work and rest in spiritual life. Overall, this chapter underscores the idea that God equips His chosen individuals for His purposes and reinforces the sanctity of time dedicated to divine rest and relationship.
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Chapter outline
How Exodus 31 unfolds
Exodus 31:1–6 God's Calling of Bezalel and Oholiab
Yahweh calls Bezalel and Oholiab by name, filling them with His Spirit to craft the Tabernacle and its furnishings.
Exodus 31:7–10 Instructions for the Tabernacle
God details the specific items and elements to be made, emphasizing the importance of skilled workmanship in worship.
Exodus 31:11 Holy Garments and Anointing Oil
The chapter includes instructions for the holy garments for Aaron and his sons, highlighting their roles in priestly duties.
Exodus 31:12–17 The Command to Keep the Sabbath
Yahweh commands the Israelites to observe the Sabbath as a holy sign of their covenant relationship, underscoring its significance.
Exodus 31:18 The Giving of the Tablets
Moses receives the two stone tablets, a physical representation of God's commandments, concluding the divine instructions.
Key verses
Exodus 31:13Exodus 31:13 encapsulates the chapter's focus on the Sabbath as a crucial sign of God's covenant with Israel.
Main themes in Exodus 31
God's empowerment and gifting
This theme appears when God fills Bezalel with His Spirit in verse 3, enabling him to create sacred artworks. The empowerment highlights that God's chosen individuals are equipped for specific purposes, showing divine involvement in human tasks. This establishes a connection between divine gifting and the fulfillment of sacred duties in worship.
The importance of skilled labor in worship
Exodus 31 emphasizes the importance of skilled labor in worship through God's explicit instructions for the artisans, particularly in verses 4-10. The chapter illustrates that this craftsmanship is not only a practical necessity but also holds spiritual significance, as it reflects God's glory and intention for sacred spaces. This connection between skill and worship suggests that both spiritual dedication and practical expertise are essential components of honoring God in the community.
Sabbath as a sign of covenant
The Sabbath command in verses 13-17 serves as a primary sign of the covenant between God and Israel. This theme deepens as the Sabbath emphasizes the relationship of sanctification, reminding the people of their identity as God's chosen ones. It illustrates that rest is essential to the covenantal relationship, not just a legal requirement.
The relationship between work and rest
Exodus 31 contrasts work and rest by instituting the Sabbath as a day of rest in verses 14-15. The chapter develops this relationship by showing that while work is important, rest is holy, creating a rhythm of life. It teaches that both elements are essential for a balanced spiritual life, rooted in God's creation.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Exodus 31
- Exodus 35Exodus 35 echoes themes of skilled craftsmanship and the divine call to service seen in this chapter.
- James 1James 1 connects through the idea of God providing wisdom and gifts to believers, akin to Bezalel's empowerment.
- Ezekiel 20Ezekiel 20 develops the concept of the Sabbath as a sign of covenant, reinforcing the importance of obedience.
- Genesis 2Genesis 2 connects by establishing the Sabbath's roots in creation, emphasizing its significance from the beginning.
- Exodus 20Exodus 20 echoes the command for Sabbath observance, reinforcing its foundational role in Israel's law.
- Exodus 28Exodus 28 connects through the detailed instructions for priestly garments, paralleling the craftsmanship in this chapter.
Study questions
Questions for studying Exodus 31
- Who are the key artisans chosen by God in this chapter?
- What does God fill Bezalel with to accomplish his tasks?
- How does the Sabbath serve as a sign between God and Israel?
- What specific items for worship are mentioned in Exodus 31?
- Why is the Sabbath described as holy in this chapter?
- What does the detail of the stone tablets signify in the context of Exodus?
Exodus 31: frequently asked questions
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