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 ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 31:12-17
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.