Analysis of Exodus Chapter 31
Exodus Chapter 31 is a pivotal chapter that brings together various themes and instructions that have been revealed throughout the book. In this chapter, God confirms the specific individuals He has chosen for the skilled labor needed to construct the Tabernacle. Additionally, the chapter reiterates the significance of observing the Sabbath, emphasizing its role as a perpetual covenant. Here is a deep and thorough analysis of each section of this chapter, offering interpretations and insights into its verses.
Verses 1-6: Appointment of Bezalel and Oholiab
Verse 1: The LORD said to Moses,
The opening verse sets the context for a direct divine communication, as God speaks to Moses. This indicates the importance of the message that follows, demonstrating its divine origin and authority.
Verses 2-5: “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft.”
In these verses, God identifies Bezalel by name. This personal calling underscores the importance of Bezalel’s role. Bezalel is from the tribe of Judah, highlighting that God uses individuals from diverse backgrounds for His purposes.
God’s declaration that He has “filled him with the Spirit of God” is significant. This endowment involves not just skills, but also divine inspiration, wisdom, knowledge, and ability in craftsmanship. This highlights the spiritual dimension of artistic work, affirming that craftsmanship and creativity can embody divine purposes.
Verse 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.”
Oholiab is introduced as a co-worker in the sacred task. Like Bezalel, he possesses divine-endowed abilities. Furthermore, God acknowledges the abilities of other skilled workers involved in the project. This inclusive approach demonstrates a communal effort under divine guidance, where each person’s talents contribute to the greater good.
Verses 7-11: Specific Items to be Constructed
Verses 7-11: “the tent of meeting, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furnishings of the tent, the table and its utensils, and the pure lampstand with all its utensils, and the altar of incense, and the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin and its stand, and the finely worked garments, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense for the Holy Place. According to all that I have commanded you, they shall do.”
This section enumerates the specific sacred items that the skilled craftsmen are to construct. Each item listed holds profound symbolic and functional significance within the Israelite worship. Let us briefly explore the importance of these items:
- The tent of meeting: The central place of divine-human encounter, where God meets with His people.
- The ark of the testimony: The sacred chest that holds the tablets of the covenant, symbolizing God’s covenant with Israel.
- The mercy seat: The cover of the ark where God’s presence would manifest and where atonement is made.
- The furnishings of the tent: Items used in the rituals and duties within the Tabernacle.
- The table and its utensils: The table for the showbread, representing God’s provision and covenant.
- The pure lampstand: The menorah, symbolizing light and guidance from God.
- The altar of incense: Representing the prayers of the people ascending to God.
- The altar of burnt offering: The place of sacrifices, pivotal for atonement and worship.
- The basin and its stand: Used for ritual purification by the priests.
- The finely worked garments: Holy garments for Aaron and his sons for their service as priests, symbolizing their sanctification and dedication to God.
- Anointing oil and fragrant incense: Used in sacred rituals, representing consecration and the prayers of the people.
God insists that everything be done “according to all that I have commanded you,” emphasizing the importance of adhering to divine instructions meticulously in the construction and preparation of the Tabernacle and its items.
Verses 12-17: The Significance of the Sabbath
Verses 12-13: “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.””
God transitions to reiterate the commandment of keeping the Sabbath. The phrase “Above all” accentuates the paramount importance of the Sabbath, positioning it as a key covenantal sign. The Sabbath serves as a perpetual sign of the special relationship between God and His people, affirming that it is the LORD who sanctifies them. This emphasizes that resting on the Sabbath is not merely a physical rest but a spiritual practice that acknowledges God’s role in sanctification.
Verse 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.”
This verse presents the gravity of violating the Sabbath command. Calling the Sabbath “holy for you” underlines its sacredness and its set-apart status for the people of Israel. The severe consequences for profaning the Sabbath (death or being cut off) underscore the seriousness with which God views this command and how it embodies the covenantal relationship.
Verses 15-16: “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. Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever.”
These verses reiterate the six-day work week and the solemn rest on the seventh day. The phrase “holy to the LORD” reiterates that the Sabbath is not only for the people’s benefit but is also a day set apart in honor of God. By referring to the Sabbath as a “covenant forever,” the text indicates its enduring importance and the continual obligation to observe it throughout generations.
Verse 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.”
This verse links the observance of the Sabbath to the creation narrative. By resting on the seventh day after six days of creation, God set a divine example of rest and refreshment, and this pattern is to be reflected in Israel’s weekly rhythm. The Sabbath stands as a perpetual reminder of God’s creative work and His covenant relationship with Israel.
Verse 18: The Tablets of the Testimony
Verse 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.”
This concluding verse has profound significance. The “two tablets of the testimony” are the concrete embodiment of God’s covenantal demands. That they are written “with the finger of God” emphasizes their divine authorship, ensuring their authority and sanctity.
These tablets are not just physical objects but sacred symbols of the divine will and covenant. Their receipt by Moses marks the culmination of this segment of divine revelation, solidifying the binding agreement between God and His people.
Conclusion
Exodus Chapter 31 provides deep insight into the practical application of divine commandments through the appointment of skilled workers for the Tabernacle and the continuous spiritual discipline of observing the Sabbath. The chapter emphasizes the importance of following divine instructions, both in the construction of sacred spaces and in the rhythms of daily life.
The calling of Bezalel and Oholiab signifies that divine inspiration and human creativity can combine to fulfill God’s purposes. Furthermore, the observance of the Sabbath stands as a timeless reminder of God’s sanctification and the covenant relationship with His people. Finally, the delivery of the stone tablets to Moses encapsulates the divine covenant, bringing together law, creation, and worship in a holistic vision of a community in relationship with God.
This chapter, therefore, highlights the intersection of divine holiness and human responsibility, urging readers to understand spirituality not as an abstract concept but as a practical, lived reality that encompasses work, worship, and rest.