SABBATH AS A SIGN

Passage: Exodus 31:1-18

Key verse: 13

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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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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

Building the tabernacle from scratch was a huge endeavor. Many people and different skills were needed. God told Moses whom he had chosen, appointed, and given the ability to create the tabernacle. Crafted with God-given ability, each piece would be the highest quality and beauty, befitting the glorious and Holy God. So, too, Jesus has chosen and enabled workers to build up his church (Eph 4:11-13). God-given skill and ability, coupled with God’s call and appointing, enable us to do God’s work today.

God reminds his people of their privileged identity as his covenant bearers. Observing the Sabbath was a sign of their eternal covenant with God and an expression of their faith in the Creator. The law wasn’t burdensome, but a gift to enjoy, and it set them apart from all other nations. Celebrating the Sabbath, in a world that works 24/7, is counter-cultural and only possible by faith. Celebrating the Lord’s Day is our expression of faith in Jesus’ resurrection, a sign of our identity as his people today.

Prayer: Father, thank you for equipping me for works of service and granting me rest in Jesus. May my worship of you be pleasing each week.

One Word: Celebrate the Lord’s Day