The Second Book of Moses, called Exodus
Exodus 31
Chapter XXXI · Vol. I, p. 348
1 Bezaleel and Aholiab are called, and qualified for the work of the tabernacle. 12 The observation of the sabbath is again commanded. 18 Moses receiveth the two tables.
1 AND the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 See, I have a called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;
a 1 Ch. 2. 20. ch. 35. 30. Mat. 9. 38. He. 5. 4, 5.
3 And I have b filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom,5 and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
b Is. 28. 26; 11. 2, 3; 61. 1. 1 Co. 12. 4-11. Ac. 2. 4. Ep. 4. 8, 9.
5 'Every good and every perfect gift cometh from the Father of lights.' All true wisdom cometh from him, skill or genius in arts and sciences, as well as every other. Yet it is probable that there was a special bestowal of the skill necessary on the present occasion, and God, by special preparation, appointed the workmen. The sons of Aaron are not appointed to this business. The sons of Moses seem designedly left in obscurity, to prove his disinterestedness in the service of God and the people.—J.
4 To c devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
c ch. 35. 34. 1 Ki. 7. 14.
5 And in d cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.
d ch. 28. 11; 35. 33.
6 And I, behold, I have given e with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the hearts of all that are f wise hearted I have put wisdom,6 that they may make allg that I have commanded thee;
e ch. 4. 14, 15; 6. 26. Ezr. 5. 1, 2. Mat. 10. 2, 3. Lu. 10. 1. Ac. 13. 2. Ec. 4. 9.
f ch. 35. 10; 36. 1: ver. 3.
6 To Egypt Israel went down shepherds, they came up expert artisans, 'in all manner of workmanship.' This attainment is justly attributed to the Spirit of God, but we are not to overlook the means—even centuries of slavery—by which this great national change of habit was accomplished. But it is most important to observe these artisans were godly men, full of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, knowing Christ, the wisdom of God, as set forth in the types of the law, and feeling the power of his Spirit as purifying their hearts.—C.
7 The h tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy-seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture7 of the tabernacle,
g ch. xxv.-xxxi. xxxv.-xl; ver. 7-11; ch. 35. 10-19; 39. 32-43; 40. 2-17, 17-33. Nu. 3. 25, 31, 36, 37; iv.
7 Heb. vessels.
8 And the i table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense;
h ch. 35. 11, 12; 39. 33-35; 40. 2, 3, 17-21; 27. 9-19; 25. 10-22; xxxvi.-xxxix. xxvi. Nu. 3. 25-37.
i ch. 25. 23-40; 30. 1-10; 37. 10-29; 35. 13-15; 39. 36-38; 40. 2, 4, 22-27. Nu. 3. 31.
9 And the k altar of burnt-offering with all his furniture; and the laver and his foot;
k ch. 27. 1-8; 30. 17-21; 38. 1-8; 35. 16; 39. 39; 40. 6, 7, 29, 30. Nu. 3. 31; 4.
10 And the l clothes of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office;
A.M. 2513. B.C. 1491.
l ch. xxviii. xxxix. Nu. 4. 6. ch. 35. 19; 39. 41; 40. 13, 14. Le. 8. 7-9, 13.
11 And m the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.
m ch. 30. 23-28, 34-38; 35. 15; 39. 38; 37. 9. Le. 8. 10-12.
12 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily n my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.
n ver. 14-17; ch. 20. 8, 10; 23. 11-17. Eze. 20. 12, 20. De. 5. 15. Le. 19. 3, 30; 26. 2; xxiii. xxv. Nu. xxviii.
14 Yeo shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you. Every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be p cut off from among his people.
o ver. 15; ch. 20. 8; 35. 2. Is. 56. 2-6; 58. 13. De. 5. 12, 14. Eze. 20. 12. Nu. 15. 32-36. Ne. 9. 14.
p ch. 30. 38.
15 Sixq days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, r holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath-day, he shall surely be put to death.
q Ge. 21. 2. ch. 16. 23; 20. 8-11.
r Heb. holiness, ch. 28. 36.
16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for s a perpetual covenant.
s Ge. 17. 7, 10, 11, 13. ch. 12. 14, 17.
17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for t in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was u refreshed.8
t See Ge. 1. 1-31; 2. 1, 2. ch. 20. 11; 23. 12. He. 4. 10.
u Took pleasure and delight in viewing his works, Ps. 104. 31. Ge. 1. 31.
8 It may appear strange to find the law of the Sabbath, which was one of those recorded on the tables of stone, here again inserted in the midst of instructions regarding the tabernacle, its furniture, and the ceremonies observed in it. The reason seems to be lest the people should imagine that when they offered up sacrifices and oblations every day the special sanctification of the Sabbath was no longer necessary; or lest they should think that as the tabernacle and its furniture were intended for sacred purposes, the work at them might be continued on the Sabbath. The universality and perpetuity of the obligation to observe the Sabbath are here strongly enjoined.—P.
18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an x end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, y two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the z finger of God.
x De. 9. 9, 11. ch. 24. 18.
y ch. 25. 21; 24. 12; 32. 16; 34. 1, 4. De. 5. 22; 9. 10. Eze. 11. 19. 2 Co. 3. 3.
z ch. 8. 19; 32. 16. Je. 31. 33. 2 Co. 3. 7, 8.
Notes
Ver. 15. Notwithstanding the work of the tabernacle was holy, and to be speedily and diligently done, yet nothing of it must be done on the Sabbath-day. The Sabbath was a sign of God's acknowledging them for his people; and their observation of it was a sign of their acknowledging him for their God, Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier.
Ver. 18. The stony matter of these tables marked the perpetual obligation of the moral law and the hardness of men's hearts, in which the Spirit of God alone can write it.
Reflections.—Nothing, even of natural excellency, but cometh from God. How easily and completely he can furnish his instruments for whatever service he calls them to; and therefore with courage and comfort may such as have once his call, venture on the hardest work! But commonly we may observe, for the honour of Christ, who needed no assistant, and especially for the comfort of his servants, God sends forth his noted agents by twos! Great is the danger of Sabbath-profanation: and yet how much are men disposed to it, especially if they can pretend the sacredness or the necessity of their work as an excuse! What exalted account God makes of Jesus Christ and his church. He, who spent but six days in creating a world, spends forty in prescribing a typical representation of those. But the most remarkable visits of God to men upon earth quickly come to an end; though he wisely frames everything about his ordinances so as that it may be instructive and comforting. In these typical architects I may therefore behold Jesus, called of God to finish a work of redemption, and rear up a gospel-church—Jesus, qualified of God, by the unmeasured unction of the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, to fulfil the arduous task, and actually completing his design, of his own heart and the salvation of the people.