# Overview Exodus Chapter 31 begins with #God’s instructions to #Moses regarding the appointment of skilled artisans to construct the #Tabernacle. #Bezalel, from the tribe of #Judah, is specifically chosen by God, filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, to oversee the craftsmanship of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. Alongside him, #Oholiab, from the tribe of #Dan, is appointed to assist in the work. This divine selection emphasizes the importance of being equipped and empowered by the #HolySpirit for the service of God’s kingdom work. These artisans are entrusted with creating the items that would facilitate the worship and presence of #God among the #Israelites, highlighting the theme of divine-human cooperation in the fulfillment of God's purposes. The chapter concludes with the reiteration of the importance of the #Sabbath. God instructs Moses to remind the Israelites that the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between God and His people. This day of rest, commanded as part of the #TenCommandments, signifies a holy and perpetual covenant, emphasizing the wholeness and sanctity of the relationship between God and the Israelites. The Sabbath is to be observed by all generations as a day of rest, serving as a reminder of God's rest after creation. Finally, God gives #Moses the two tablets of the #Testimony, written by the finger of God, symbolizing the divine origin and authority of the law. This chapter underscores the themes of divine calling, empowerment for service, and the sacredness of rest, pivotal in the life and worship of the Israelite community. ## Theological Insights Exodus 31 provides deep insights into the nature of #God as a divine architect, who not only gives #Moses the law but also equips his people with the skills necessary to fulfill His purposes. The chapter highlights several key theological themes: 1. **Divine Appointment and Empowerment**: God specifically calls and fills #Bezalel with the Spirit of God, granting him wisdom, understanding, and skill in all kinds of crafts (Exodus 31:2-3). This illustrates the principle that God equips those whom He calls. The divine endowment of skills and knowledge to #Bezalel and #Oholiab (Exodus 31:6) underscores that God is the source of all abilities, intended for His glory and the fulfillment of His plans. This parallels the New Testament teaching on spiritual gifts, as seen in [[1 Corinthians/1 Corinthians Chapter 12]], where the Holy Spirit distributes gifts for the common good. 2. **The Sabbath as a Sign**: The command to observe the #Sabbath (Exodus 31:13) is reiterated, emphasizing its importance as a perpetual covenant between God and the people of #Israel. The Sabbath serves as a sign of sanctification, a reminder that it is God who sets His people apart. This theme is echoed in the creation account where God rested on the seventh day ([[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 2|Genesis 2:2-3]]) and is further developed in the New Testament, where the concept of rest in God is expanded in the book of [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 4]]. 3. **Covenant Relationship**: The emphasis on the Sabbath as a covenant sign (Exodus 31:16-17) highlights the relational aspect of God's laws. The observance of the Sabbath is a tangible expression of #Israel's covenant relationship with God, distinguishing them from other nations. This covenantal theme is consistently seen throughout the #OldTestament, such as in the promises to #Abraham in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 17]] and to #David in [[2 Samuel/2 Samuel Chapter 7]]. 4. **Written by the Finger of God**: The chapter concludes with the giving of the two tablets of the testimony, written by the finger of God (Exodus 31:18). This divine authorship underscores the authority and permanence of God's commandments. The phrase "written by the finger of God" is a powerful image also used by Jesus in the New Testament when discussing the power of God in casting out demons ([[Luke/Luke Chapter 11|Luke 11:20]]). Exodus 31, therefore, underscores God's sovereignty in calling and equipping individuals for His purposes, the importance of the Sabbath as a sign of sanctification, and the enduring significance of the covenant relationship between God and His people. ## Thematic Connections ### Divine Empowerment for Service In Exodus 31, the theme of #DivineEmpowerment is evident as God appoints #Bezalel and #Oholiab to construct the #Tabernacle and its furnishings. God fills them with the Spirit of #God, granting them wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and all kinds of skills for craftsmanship. This divine empowerment resonates with other biblical instances where God equips individuals for specific tasks, such as [[Judges/Judges Chapter 6|Gideon]], who is empowered by the Spirit to deliver Israel, and [[1 Samuel/1 Samuel Chapter 16|David]], who is anointed by the Spirit to lead as king. This theme underscores the belief that God equips His people with the necessary abilities to fulfill His purposes. ### Sacred Work and the Sabbath The chapter also highlights the significance of #Sabbath observance amidst the sacred work of constructing the Tabernacle. God commands the Israelites to keep the Sabbath as a sign of the covenant, emphasizing rest and holiness. This theme of Sabbath as a covenantal sign connects back to [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 2|Genesis 2:2-3]], where God rests on the seventh day, and forward to [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 5|Deuteronomy 5:12-15]], where the Sabbath is again emphasized in the Ten Commandments. The Sabbath serves as a reminder of God's creation and deliverance, reinforcing the rhythm of work and rest in the community of faith. ### Covenant and Identity Exodus 31 emphasizes the #covenant relationship between God and Israel. The Sabbath is described as a perpetual covenant, signifying Israel's identity as God's chosen people. This theme of covenant identity can be traced back to the promises made to [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 15|Abraham]], reaffirmed to [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 19|Moses]] at Mount Sinai, and consistently reinforced throughout the Old Testament. The covenantal relationship shapes Israel's identity and mission, setting them apart as a holy nation. ### Obedience and Divine Instruction The detailed instructions for the Tabernacle construction underscore the theme of obedience to divine instruction. God provides precise directions, and the Israelites are expected to follow them meticulously. This theme of obedience to God's commands is echoed in the narrative of [[Leviticus/Leviticus Chapter 10|Nadab and Abihu]], who face consequences for deviating from divine instructions, and in the broader narrative of Israel's journey, where obedience leads to blessing and disobedience to judgment. Obedience is portrayed as essential for maintaining a right relationship with God. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Divine Appointment of Artisans In Exodus 31, God appoints #Bezalel and #Oholiab as skilled artisans to construct the #Tabernacle. This appointment foreshadows the New Testament teaching that every believer is given spiritual gifts by the #HolySpirit for the building up of the body of Christ. This concept is echoed in [[1 Corinthians/1 Corinthians Chapter 12]], where Paul explains the distribution of spiritual gifts for the common good. The divine equipping of Bezalel and Oholiab prefigures how God equips His people for His purposes, fulfilled in the church as the #BodyOfChrist. ### The Sabbath as a Sign The emphasis on the #Sabbath in Exodus 31 serves as a sign of the covenant between God and #Israel. This anticipates the rest that believers find in #Christ, as explained in [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 4]], where the Sabbath rest is seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate rest in Jesus. The Sabbath commandment points to a greater fulfillment in the rest that Christ offers to all who come to Him, fulfilling the promise of spiritual rest and peace with God. ### The Written Law God giving Moses the tablets of stone inscribed with the #TenCommandments in Exodus 31 prefigures the promise of a new covenant where God's law would be written on the hearts of His people, as prophesied in [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 31]]. This is fulfilled in the New Testament through the work of the Holy Spirit, who writes God's laws on the hearts of believers, as described in [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 8]]. The physical tablets signify the future spiritual transformation that God would accomplish through [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]]. ## Verses - **Exodus 31:1** - "Then the Lord said to Moses," - **Exodus 31:2** - "Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah." - Bezalel is also referenced later in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 35]]. - **Exodus 31:3** - "I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts." - The Spirit of God empowering individuals is a recurring theme, as seen in [[Judges/Judges Chapter 6]] with Gideon. - **Exodus 31:4** - "He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze." - **Exodus 31:5** - "He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft!" - **Exodus 31:6** - "And I have personally appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen so they can make all the things I have commanded you to make:" - Oholiab is also mentioned in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 35]]. - **Exodus 31:7** - "the Tabernacle; the Ark of the Covenant; the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement; all the furnishings of the Tabernacle;" - The Tabernacle and its furnishings are detailed in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 25]]. - **Exodus 31:8** - "the table and its utensils; the pure gold lampstand with all its accessories; the incense altar;" - **Exodus 31:9** - "the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils; the washbasin with its stand;" - **Exodus 31:10** - "the beautifully stitched garments—the sacred garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests;" - The priestly garments are further described in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 28]]. - **Exodus 31:11** - "the anointing oil; the fragrant incense for the Holy Place. The craftsmen must make everything as I have commanded you." - **Exodus 31:12** - "The Lord then gave these instructions to Moses:" - **Exodus 31:13** - "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." - The importance of the Sabbath is reiterated in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 20]]. - **Exodus 31:14** - "You must keep the Sabbath day, for it is 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." - **Exodus 31:15** - "You 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." - **Exodus 31:16** - "The people of Israel must keep the Sabbath day by observing it from generation to generation. This is a covenant obligation for all time." - **Exodus 31:17** - "It 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.’" - The creation account is in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 1]]. - **Exodus 31:18** - "When 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." - The stone tablets are significant in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 32]].