Exodus Chapter 31 introduces Bezalel, whose father was Uri, and Oholiab, whose father was Ahisamach. God chose these two men to be the primary builders for major projects regarding the Tabernacle.
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God Chooses His Contractors
The Lord chose Bezalel and Oholiab to work on the Tabernacle. He instilled in both men the ability to create intricate works of art with silver, gold, and brass. God had also chosen these men due to their faith and their proven wisdom.
God gave these two men the important tasks of building things like the Holy Tent, the Ark of the Covenant, and the altar for burning spices. In addition, they were in charge of designing the priests’ holy robes for use when they were working with people in the temple.
The Importance of the Sabbath
Exodus Chapter 31 goes on to show how the Lord repeated His command to Moses. He told Moses that the Sabbath should be held in the highest regard. All the children of God were expected to keep the Sabbath because the day was a sign of a covenant between man and God. The chapter also states that anyone who did not follow the Sabbath would be put to death and whoever completes work on the Sabbath should be removed from his people.
Moses and God on Sinai
The conversation between Moses and God continued on Mount Sinai. They reached an eternal agreement between God and the children of Israel to keep the Sabbath sacred. The agreement stated that there would be six days of work, but the seventh day was a time for complete rest to honor the Lord.
The six days represented the amount of days that it took the Lord to make the heavens and the earth. The seventh day was the day that the Lord took to relax and admire His creation. After explaining the Sabbath, God gave Moses two stones of law. These holy stones had Scripture on them that were written by God’s finger.
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Exodus 31 (King James Version)
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.
6 And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;
7 The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle,
8 And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense,
9 And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot,
10 And the cloths of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest’s office,
11 And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.
12 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily 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.
14 Ye 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 cut off from among his people.
15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.