Exodus 36 Bible Commentary

John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes

(Read all of Exodus 36)

Verse 2

[2] And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:

And Moses called Bezaleel — "Even those whom God has qualified for, and inclined to the service of the tabernacle, yet must wait for a call to it, either extraordinary, as that of preachers and apostles, or ordinary, as that of pastors and teachers. And observe who they were that Moses called; those in whose heart God had put wisdom for this purpose, beyond their natural capacity, and whose heart stirred him up to come to the work in good earnest." Those are to be called to the building of the gospel tabernacle, whom God has by his grace made in some measure fit for the work, and free to it: ability and willingness, with resolution, are the two things to be regarded in the call of ministers.

Verse 35

[35] And he made a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: with cherubims made he it of cunning work.

The veil made for a partition between the holy place and the most holy, signified the darkness and distance of that dispensation compared with the New Testament, which shews us the glory of God more clearly, and invites us to draw near to it; and the darkness and distance of our present state in comparison with heaven, where we shall be ever with the Lord, and see him as he is|.

Verse 37

[37] And he made an hanging for the tabernacle door of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, of needlework;

An hanging — Which divided the holy place from the court.