THE WORKERS AND THEIR WORK

Passage: Exodus 31:1-18

Key verse: 3

NIV

Bezalel and Oholiab(A)

31 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel(B) son of Uri, the son of Hur,(C) of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge(D) and with all kinds of skills(E)— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. 6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab(F) son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan,(G) to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers(H) to make everything I have commanded you: 7 the tent of meeting,(I) the ark of the covenant law(J) with the atonement cover(K) on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent— 8 the table(L) and its articles, the pure gold lampstand(M) and all its accessories, the altar of incense,(N) 9 the altar of burnt offering(O) and all its utensils, the basin(P) with its stand— 10 and also the woven garments(Q), both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, 11 and the anointing oil(R) and fragrant incense(S) for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded(T) you.”

The Sabbath

12 Then the Lord said to Moses, 13 “Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths.(U) This will be a sign(V) between me and you for the generations to come,(W) so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.(X)

14 “‘Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death;(Y) those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people. 15 For six days work(Z) is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest,(AA) holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death. 16 The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath,(AB) celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. 17 It will be a sign(AC) between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.(AD)’”(AE)

18 When the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai,(AF) he gave him the two tablets of the covenant law, the tablets of stone(AG) inscribed by the finger of God.(AH)

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Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Oholiab and Bezalel

31 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have called by name (A)Bezalel the son of Uri, son of (B)Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have (C)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 in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. 6 And behold, I have appointed with him (D)Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men (E)ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you: 7 (F)the tent of meeting, and (G)the ark of the testimony, and (H)the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furnishings of the tent, 8 (I)the table and its utensils, and (J)the pure lampstand with all its utensils, and (K)the altar of incense, 9 and (L)the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and (M)the basin and its stand, 10 and (N)the finely worked garments,[a] the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests, 11 and (O)the anointing oil and the fragrant (P)incense for the Holy Place. According to all that I have commanded you, they shall do.”

The Sabbath

12 And the Lord said to Moses, 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. (Q)Whoever does any work on it, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 15 (R)Six days shall work be done, but (S)the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the Lord. (T)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 (U)It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that (V)in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and (W)on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’”

18 And he gave to Moses, when he had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the (X)two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with (Y)the finger of God.

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Footnotes
  1. Exodus 31:10 Or garments for worship
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Bezalel and Oholiab (1-11)

Artistic skill is a gift from God. God's gifts should be used according to God's will and should bring glory to God. The sanctuary and all its furnishings were designed by God himself. He called and equipped workmen to build it. These workmen were God's servants. Their most beautiful work was an expression of their obedience--not an expression of the freedom of the sinful nature. True art should glorify God.

2. Keep the Sabbath (12-18)

God gave men the Sabbath so that they might worship him and share in his holiness. The men appointed to build the sanctuary especially must take time to worship God, remembering that he is the Creator of the heavens and the earth and the Giver of every good gift. God's servants must not become so busy doing God's work that they forget to worship God.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us your work to do, and for giving us your Holy Spirit to enable us to do it.

One Word: Use talents for the glory of God