Exodus 31

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

“Behold, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.

I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all kinds of workmanship,

to devise skillful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in bronze,

and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of workmanship.

Behold, I myself have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the heart of all who are wise-hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded you:

the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the covenant, the mercy seat that is on it, all the furniture of the Tent,

the table and its vessels, the pure lamp stand with all its vessels, the altar of incense,

the altar of burnt offering with all its vessels, the basin and its base,

the finely worked garments—the holy garments for Aaron the priest, the garments of his sons to minister in the priest’s office—

the anointing oil, and the incense of sweet spices for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded you they shall do.”

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

“Speak also to the children of Israel, saying, ‘Most certainly you shall keep my Sabbaths; for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.

You shall keep the Sabbath therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall surely be put to death.

Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.

It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.’”

When he finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, he gave Moses the two tablets of the covenant, stone tablets, written with God’s finger.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter appoints Bezalel and Oholiab as divinely gifted craftsmen for constructing the Tabernacle and its furnishings, emphasizing that their skill comes from the Spirit of God. It concludes with a strong reaffirmation of the Sabbath as a perpetual sign of the covenant, anchoring Israel’s worship in both sacred work and sacred rest.

Flow.

God calls Bezalel by name, filling him with His Spirit for wisdom, understanding, and craftsmanship in metalwork, stonework, and woodwork.
Oholiab is appointed as his assistant, and all skilled artisans are endowed with wisdom to carry out the construction according to God’s commands.
The list of items to be made includes the Tabernacle furnishings, priestly garments, anointing oil, and incense, ensuring every detail aligns with divine instruction.
The Sabbath is reaffirmed as a lasting covenant sign, with strict warnings against work on the seventh day, grounded in God’s own rest after creation.

Connections.
Following chapter 30, which details the altar of incense, the anointing oil, and the incense, chapter 31 appoints the individuals who will actually build and craft these very items according to God’s design. It prepares for chapter 32, where Israel breaks the covenant by making the golden calf, creating a sharp contrast: while God is empowering Bezalel to craft holy things by His Spirit, the people will descend into idolatry. The emphasis on Sabbath fidelity here underscores the seriousness of covenant disobedience that chapter 32 will tragically fulfill.

What it teaches.
The chapter teaches that God equips His servants with specific gifts by His Spirit for the service of His sanctuary, confirming that true wisdom for holy tasks is divinely bestowed (WCF 4.1). The Sabbath is established not merely as a command but as a perpetual covenant sign between God and His people, signifying His sanctifying work among them (WCF 7.3). Its link to creation — “in six days the LORD made heaven and earth” — roots Israel’s rest in the pattern of creation itself, elevating the Sabbath to a theological sign of God’s sovereignty and holiness (HC LD 38). The severe penalty for profaning the Sabbath underscores the holiness required in approaching God.

Apply.
God gives particular skills to particular people for the building up of His holy purposes, and reverence for His presence includes both faithful labor and faithful rest.

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