311 Now the Lord spoke to Moses , saying , 2 "See , I have called by name Bezalel , the son of Uri , the son of Hur , of the tribe of Judah . 3 "I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom , in understanding , in knowledge , and in all kinds of craftsmanship , 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold , in silver , and in bronze , 5 and in the cutting of stones for settings , and in the carving of wood , that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship . 6 "And behold , I Myself have appointed with him Oholiab , the son of Ahisamach , of the tribe of Dan ; and in the hearts of all who are skillful e I have put skill , that they may make all that I have commanded you: 7 the tent of meeting , and the ark of testimony , and the mercy seat upon it, and all the furniture of the tent , 8 the table also and its utensils , and the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils , and the altar of incense , 9 the altar of burnt offering also with all its utensils , and the laver and its stand , 10 the woven garments as well, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest , and the garments of his sons , with which to carry on their priesthood ; 11 the anointing oil also, and the fragrant incense for the holy place, they are to make them according to all that I have commanded you."
12 The Lord spoke to Moses , saying , 13 "But as for you, speak to the sons of Israel , saying , ' You shall surely observe My sabbaths ; for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations , that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you. 14 'Therefore you are to observe the sabbath , for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death ; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people . 15 ' For six days work may be done , but on the seventh day there is a sabbath of complete rest , holy to the Lord ; whoever does any work on the sabbath day shall surely be put to death . 16 'So the sons of Israel shall observe the sabbath , to celebrate the sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant .' 17 " It is a sign between Me and the sons of Israel forever ; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth , but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was refreshed ."
18 When He had finished speaking with him upon Mount Sinai , He gave Moses the two tablets of the testimony , tablets of stone , written by the finger of God .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 31:1-22
Commentary on Exodus 31:1-11
(Read Exodus 31:1-11)
The Israelites, who had been masons and bricklayers in Egypt, were not qualified for curious workmanship; but the Spirit who gave the apostles utterance in divers tongues, miraculously gave Bezaleel and Aholiab the skill that was wanting. The honour which comes from God, is always attended with a work to be done; to be employed for God is high honour. Those whom God calls to any service, he will find or make fit for it. The Lord gives different gifts to different persons; let each mind his proper work, diligently remembering that whatever wisdom any one possesses, the Lord put it in the heart, to do his commandments.
Commentary on Exodus 31:12-17
(Read Exodus 31:12-17)
Orders were now given that a tabernacle should be set up for the service of God. But they must not think that the nature of the work, and the haste that was required, would justify them in working at it on sabbath days. The Hebrew word /shabath/ signifies rest, or ceasing from labour. The thing signified by the sabbath is that rest in glory which remains for the people of God; therefore the moral obligation of the sabbath must continue, till time is swallowed up in eternity.
Commentary on Exodus 31:18
(Read Exodus 31:18)
The law was written in tables of stone, to show how lasting it is: to denote likewise the hardness of our hearts; one might more easily write on stone, than write any thing good on our corrupt natural hearts. It was written with the finger of God; by his will and power. God only can write his law in the heart: he gives a heart of flesh; then, by his Spirit, which is the finger of God, writes his will in the heart, 2 Corinthians 3:3.