31:1-11God regards all the skills of his people, not merely those with theological or ministerial abitities. Our tendency is to regard only those who are up front and in leadership roles. God gave Bezalel and Oholiab Spirit-filled abilities in artistic craftsmanship. Take notice of all the abilities God gives his people. Don’t diminish your skills if they are not like Moses’ and Aaron’s.
Life Application Study BibleExodusChapter 31
Exodus 31
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 142, 143
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
31Exodus 31
Craftsmen: Bezalel and Oholiab
13 Then the LORD said to Moses, 2“Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, a2 5:30-36:1 grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. $1 have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving 4Chr 2:20 him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, ex- Wigs 7:14 pert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. 5He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft! 6“And I have personally appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be 316 a4. 36:1 his assistant. Moreover, Ihave given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen so they can make —_ all the things I have commanded you to make:
7 the Tabernacle;*the Ark of the Covenant;*the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement;all the furnishings of the Tabernacle;8 the table and its utensils;the pure gold lampstand with all its accessories;the incense altar;9 the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils;the washbasin with its stand;10 the beautifully stitched garments—the sacred garments for Aaron the priest, and thegarments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests;11 the anointing oil;the fragrant incense for the Holy Place.The craftsmen must make everything as I have commanded you.”
Instructions for the Sabbath
1212The LORD then gave these instructions to Moses: 13“Tell the people of Israel: ‘Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy. 14You must Keep the Sabbath day, for itis a holy day for you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; anyone who works on that day will be cut off from the community. 15You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day must be a Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day dedicated to the LORD. Anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death. 16The people of Israel must keep the Sabbath day by observing it from generation to generation. This is a covenant obligation for all time. 17It is a permanent sign of my covenant with the people of Israel. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day he stopped working and was refreshed.’” i8When the LORD finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant,* written by the finger of God. 3. Breaking the law
Textual footnotes
- [5.7 kilograms) of cassia.
- see note on 25:16.
- 31:7a Hebrew the Tent of Meeting.
- 31:7b Hebrew the Ark of the Testimony.
- 31:18 Hebrew the two tablets of the
- 31:250 shekels (2.9 kilograms] of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant calamus.
Life Application Notes 3 notes
31:12-17The Sabbath had two purposes: It was a time to rest and a time to remember what God had done. We need fest. Without time out from the bustle, life loses its meaning. {n our day, as in Moses’ day, taking time out is not easy. But God reminds us that without Sabbaths we will forget the purpose for all of our activity and Jose the balance crucial to a faithful life. Make sure your Sabbath provides a time of both refreshment and remembrance of God.
31:18The two stone tablets contained the Ten Commandments. These were not the only code of laws in the ancient world. Other law codes had come into existence when Cities or nations decided that there must be standards of judgment, ways to correct specific wrongs. But God’s laws for Israel were unique: (1) They alleviated the harsh Judgments typical of the day; (2) they were egalitarian— the poor and the powerful received the same punishment; (3) they did not separate religious and social law. All law rested on God's authority.