Exodus 31

1 locutusque est Dominus ad Mosen dicens

2 ecce vocavi ex nomine Beselehel filium Uri filii Hur de tribu Iuda

3 et implevi eum spiritu Dei sapientia intellegentia et scientia in omni opere

4 ad excogitandum fabre quicquid fieri potest ex auro et argento et aere

5 marmore et gemmis et diversitate lignorum

6 dedique ei socium Hooliab filium Achisamech de tribu Dan et in corde omnis eruditi posui sapientiam ut faciant cuncta quae praecepi tibi

7 tabernaculum foederis et arcam testimonii et propitiatorium quod super eam est et cuncta vasa tabernaculi

8 mensamque et vasa eius candelabrum purissimum cum vasis suis et altaria thymiamatis

9 et holocausti et omnia vasa eorum labium cum basi sua

10 vestes sanctas in ministerio Aaron sacerdoti et filiis eius ut fungantur officio suo in sacris

11 oleum unctionis et thymiama aromatum in sanctuario omnia quae praecepi tibi facient

12 et locutus est Dominus ad Mosen dicens

13 loquere filiis Israhel et dices ad eos videte ut sabbatum meum custodiatis quia signum est inter me et vos in generationibus vestris ut sciatis quia ego Dominus qui sanctifico vos

14 custodite sabbatum sanctum est enim vobis qui polluerit illud morte morietur qui fecerit in eo opus peribit anima illius de medio populi sui

15 sex diebus facietis opus in die septimo sabbatum est requies sancta Domino omnis qui fecerit opus in hac die morietur

16 custodiant filii Israhel sabbatum et celebrent illud in generationibus suis pactum est sempiternum

17 inter me et filios Israhel signumque perpetuum sex enim diebus fecit Dominus caelum et terram et in septimo ab opere cessavit

18 dedit quoque Mosi conpletis huiuscemodi sermonibus in monte Sinai duas tabulas testimonii lapideas scriptas digito Dei

Exodus 31 Commentary

Chapter 31

Bezaleel and Aholiab are appointed and qualified for the work of the tabernacle. (1-11) The observance of the sabbath. (12-17) Moses receives the tables of the law. (18)

Verses 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.

Verses 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.

Verse 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 ( 2 Corinthians. 3:3 )

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 31

In this chapter an account is given of the persons whom God had chosen, and qualified for the work of building the tabernacle, and all things relating to it, and for the direction and oversight thereof, Ex 31:1-6 and an enumeration is made of the several things that were to be wrought, some in one way, some in another, Ex 31:7-11 the law of the sabbath is repeated, and the violation of it made death, Ex 31:12-17 and the chapter is concluded with observing, that at the close of the above orders, two tables of stone, with the law written upon them by the finger of God, were given to Moses, Ex 31:18.