SCRIPTURE: EXODUS 31
IMPORTANT VERSE:
BEZALEL AND OHOLIAB (vs. 1-11)
Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts – to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you: the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent – the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand – and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you.”
THE SABBATH (vs. 12-18)
Then the lord said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.
“Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death’ Whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from his people. For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death. The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth and on the seventh day, he abstained form work and rested.”
When the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the Testimony , the tablets of stone inscribed by the finer of God.
THOUGHTS: (From Life Application Study Bible)
God regards all the skills of his people, not merely those with theological or ministerial abilities. Our tendency is to regard only those who are up front and in leadership roles. God gave Bezalel and Oholiab Spirit filled abilities in artistic craftsmanship. Take notice of all the abilities God gives his people. Don’t diminish your skills if they are not like Moses’ and Aaron’s.
The Sabbath had two purposes. It was a time to rest and a time to remember what God had done. We nee rest. Without time out from the bustle, life loses its meaning in our day. God reminds us that without Sabbath we will forge the purpose of all of our activity and lose the balance crucial to a faithful life. Make sure your Sabbath provides a time of both refreshment and remembrance of God.
The two stone tablets contained the Ten Commandments. these were not the only code of laws in the ancient world. Other law codes had come into existence when cities or nations decided that there must be standards of judgment and ways to correct specific wrongs. But God’s laws for Israel were unique. (1)-They alleviated the harsh judgment typical of the day. (2)-They were egalitarian – the poor and the powerful received the same punishment. (3)-They did not separate religious and social law. All law rested on God’s authority.