Bezalel and Oholiab Are Chosen
Study note
God had just given Moses the detailed plans for the Tabernacle, the priestly robes, and all the holy objects. Now He names the men who will actually build everything. Bezalel was from the tribe of Judah, and Oholiab was from the tribe of Dan. God filled them with His Spirit, giving them special skill in metalwork, stonework, woodwork, and every kind of craft. They would not be working alone — God also gave wisdom to other skilled workers who would help them.
1 The Lord told Moses, And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 "I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri and grandson of Hur, from the tribe of Judah." See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
3 "I have filled him with God's Spirit. I gave him great wisdom and skill. I gave him deep knowledge. He has mastered every kind of craft." 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 "He can create stunning designs and work expertly with gold, silver, and bronze." To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
5 "He can cut gemstones and set them, carve wood beautifully, and handle every type of skilled work." And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.
6 "I have also appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, from the tribe of Dan, to assist him. Beyond that, I have given ability to every skilled craftsman so they can build everything I have commanded you:" 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 Tent of Meeting and the Ark with its mercy seat. Also all the items for the Tabernacle," 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 "the table with all its utensils, the pure gold lampstand with all its tools, the incense altar," And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense,
9 "the altar for burnt offerings with all its tools, and the bronze washing basin with its stand," And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot,
10 "the carefully made clothing — the sacred clothing for Aaron the priest and the priestly clothing for his sons," 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 "the anointing oil, and the fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They must construct all of these things precisely as I have instructed you." And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.
The Sabbath Must Be Kept
Study note
Before the work begins, God gives a serious command about the Sabbath. Even though building the Tabernacle is sacred work, the people must still rest on the seventh day. The Sabbath was a sign of the covenant between God and Israel. It reminded them that God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. Breaking the Sabbath was punishable by death, showing how seriously God took this command.
12 The Lord told Moses, And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
13 "Give the Israelites this message: 'You must observe my Sabbath days. The Sabbath is a special sign between me and you, lasting through every generation. It reminds you that I am the Lord — the one who makes you holy.'" 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 "'Keep the Sabbath holy, because it is sacred to you. Anyone who disrespects it by treating it like a regular day must be put to death. Anyone who does work on that day must be expelled from their community.'" 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 "'You have six days for work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of total rest, set apart for the Lord. Anyone who works on the Sabbath day must be put to death.'" 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 "'The Israelites must observe the Sabbath and keep it faithfully through all their generations. It is a permanent covenant.'" Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
17 "'It is an everlasting sign between me and the people of Israel. In six days, the Lord made the sky and the earth, and on the seventh day he stopped working and refreshed himself.'" 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.
God Gives Moses the Stone Tablets
Study note
After forty days and forty nights on Mount Sinai, God finished speaking with Moses. He gave Moses two flat pieces of stone with the law written on them. These were not carved by human hands — they were written by the finger of God Himself. These tablets would soon play a dramatic role in one of the most famous stories in the Bible.
18 When God finished talking with Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two stone tablets of the Testimony. God had written on them with his own finger. 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.