Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Exodus 31
Exodus 31:3and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship,
This verse shows that artistic skill and craftsmanship are gifts from God, given by His Spirit for the purpose of glorifying Him and building His kingdom.Exodus 31:16-17Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever. It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.
The Sabbath is established as a permanent sign of the special relationship between God and Israel, rooted in the very rhythm of God's creation.Exodus 31:18And he gave to Moses, when he had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.
This powerful image concludes Moses' time on the mountain, emphasizing that the Ten Commandments are a direct, personal, and authoritative communication from God Himself.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Divine Commission of the Craftsmen
For several chapters, Moses has been on Mount Sinai, enveloped in a cloud of God's glory, receiving a divine blueprint. These instructions have covered the intricate design of the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, priestly garments, and worship rituals. This chapter serves as the practical conclusion to the plans: God now names the specific people He has chosen and empowered to bring these heavenly designs into earthly reality.
The Unbreakable Sign of the Sabbath
When the construction plans seem complete, God makes a sudden and emphatic shift in topic. He moves from the 'what' and 'who' of the work to the 'when' and 'why' of rest. The command to honor the Sabbath is inserted here with the utmost seriousness, carrying a penalty of death. This placement intentionally subordinates the sacred task of building the Tabernacle to the even more sacred command of resting in God, framing all work within the context of covenant relationship.
From Divine Blueprints to Holy Rest
As Moses' forty days on Mount Sinai draw to a close, God shifts from giving abstract plans to commissioning the very people who will execute them. In Exodus 31, God first identifies His chosen artisans, detailing the spiritual gifts He has given them for this holy project. He then concludes His entire discourse with a foundational reminder about the Sabbath, cementing its importance as the ultimate sign of Israel's relationship with Him before handing Moses the stone tablets.
The Spirit-Filled Artisans (Exodus 31:1-11)
1 The Lord said to Moses,
2 "See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,"
3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship,
4 to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze,
5 to cut stones for setting, and to carve wood, to work in every craft.
6 And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you:
7 the tent of meeting, the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furnishings of the tent,
8 the table with its poles and all its utensils, and the bread of the Presence;
9 It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, in all your dwelling places, that you eat neither fat nor blood.”
10 the finely worked garments, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests,
11 to be skilled, in working stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every skilled craft.
Commentary:
God calls specific people by name and empowers them with His Spirit to do the skilled, artistic work of building the Tabernacle.
The Sign of the Sabbath Covenant (Exodus 31:12-17)
12 And the Lord said to Moses, "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.
13 “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.
14 You shall keep the Sabbath, because it is holy for you. Everyone who profanes it shall be put to death. Whoever does any work on it, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
15 Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall be put to death.
16 Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever.
17 It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.
Commentary:
God commands the Israelites to keep the Sabbath as a perpetual sign of their special covenant relationship with Him, a priority even over building the Tabernacle.
The Tablets Written by God's Finger (Exodus 31:18)
18 And he gave to Moses, when he had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.
Commentary:
God gives Moses the two tablets of the Ten Commandments, personally written by His own hand, signifying their divine authority.
Key Themes in Exodus 31
God's Spirit Empowers for Service
This chapter reveals that the Holy Spirit's work is not limited to prophecy or miraculous signs. God fills Bezalel with His Spirit to grant wisdom, creativity, and craftsmanship, showing that practical and artistic skills are also sacred gifts intended for God's glory.
The Sabbath as Covenant Identity
The Sabbath is not merely a rule. It is the primary 'sign' of the covenant. Observing it was a weekly declaration of Israel's exclusive relationship with Yahweh, reminding them that He is the one who sets them apart and that their identity is in Him, not their work.
The Divine Authority of God's Law
The image of the law being 'written with the finger of God' strongly emphasizes its divine origin and authority. These are not suggestions from Moses but the direct, unmediated commands of God Himself, forming the unshakeable foundation of His relationship with His people.
Living Out the Lessons of Exodus 31
God filled Bezalel with His Spirit for a specific task (Exodus 31:3). Similarly, He gives you unique talents, skills, and spiritual gifts to serve Him and others. Whether your work is creative, technical, or relational, God empowers you to use those abilities for His glory. Your work, when done for Him, is a form of worship.
The command to keep the Sabbath (Exodus 31:14-15) teaches a timeless principle of trust and rest. In a world that prizes constant productivity, setting aside time to stop working and focus on God is a powerful act of faith. It reminds you that your worth isn't in what you produce, but in your relationship with your Creator.
God's specific calling of Bezalel and Oholiab by name shows that He sees and knows individuals. The fact that the law was 'written with the finger of God' (Exodus 31:18) reveals His personal investment in communicating with His people. This encourages you to believe that God is intimately involved in the details of your life and speaks with authority and love.
God Equips for Work and Rest
Exodus 31 reveals that God is the source of both our ability to work and our need to rest. He personally calls and supernaturally equips people to accomplish His purposes, infusing their natural talents with His divine Spirit. Yet, He makes it clear that our most sacred work must never overshadow our sacred relationship with Him, which is signified by the Sabbath. The message is that our service flows from His empowerment, and our identity is secured in His covenant of rest.
What This Means for Us Today
Exodus 31 invites us to see both our work and our rest as holy acts of worship. God empowers us with skills for a purpose, not solely for a paycheck. He calls us to cease from our labor to find refreshment and identity in Him. We are invited to live in this divine rhythm of Spirit-led work and God-centered rest.
- What specific skills has God given you, and how can you dedicate them more fully to His glory this week?
- Are you truly setting aside time for rest, or has work become an idol in your life?
- Where do you need to be more attentive to the 'finger of God' writing His guidance on your heart?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
This chapter contains the preceding instructions for the altar of incense, the census tax, and the bronze basin, setting the stage for the appointment of the craftsmen.
Immediately following this chapter, the narrative shifts to the ground where the Israelites, tired of waiting, build the golden calf, creating a stark contrast between God's holy commands and human rebellion.
Connections Across Scripture
This passage shows the fulfillment of God's promise, as Moses presents the Spirit-filled Bezalel and Oholiab to the people to begin the work.
Paul discusses the various gifts given by the same Spirit for the building up of the church, echoing the theme of God equipping His people for service.
The author of Hebrews connects the Old Testament Sabbath to the ultimate spiritual 'rest' that believers find through faith in Jesus Christ.
Discussion Questions
- Exodus 31:3 says God filled Bezalel with His Spirit, giving him 'ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship.' How does this change the way you view practical skills and artistic talents in the context of faith?
- Why do you think God placed such a strong emphasis on the Sabbath, with a penalty of death, immediately after commissioning the most important building project in Israel's history?
- The chapter ends with the image of the Ten Commandments being 'written with the finger of God.' What does this imagery tell you about the nature and authority of God's Word?
Glossary
places
figures
Moses
The prophet chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and receive His law.
Bezalel
The chief artisan chosen and empowered by God's Spirit to oversee the construction of the Tabernacle.
Oholiab
A skilled craftsman appointed by God to assist Bezalel in the Tabernacle project.
Aaron
Moses' brother and the first High Priest of Israel, for whom holy garments were to be made.
theological concepts
Sabbath
The seventh day of the week, set apart by God for rest and worship as a sign of His covenant with Israel.
Covenant
A sacred, binding agreement between God and His people that defines their relationship and mutual commitments.
Sanctify
To be set apart from the common for a holy purpose; to be made holy by God.
terms
Tent of Meeting
Another name for the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God's presence would dwell among the Israelites.
Ark of the Testimony
A sacred chest containing the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's presence and covenant.
Mercy Seat
The golden lid of the Ark of the Covenant, from which God would speak and where atonement for sin was made.