Chapter 31
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
3And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
4To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
5And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.
6And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;
7The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle,
8And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense,
9And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot,
10And the cloths of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest’s office,
11And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.
12And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
13Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.
14Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
15Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
16Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
17It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
18And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
“And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.”
Overview
God names Bezaleel of the tribe of Judah and fills him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and craftsmanship to lead the construction of the tabernacle. Aholiab of the tribe of Dan is appointed as his assistant. God declares that He has given skill to all the wise-hearted to make everything He has commanded. God then solemnly reaffirms the Sabbath as a sign between Himself and Israel forever — a perpetual covenant. Anyone who works on the Sabbath shall be put to death. God finishes speaking with Moses and gives him the two tablets of the testimony, written with the finger of God.
Key Themes
The Spirit of God in Craftsmanship
The first person in Scripture described as filled with the Spirit of God is an artisan — God values and empowers creative skill, not just preaching and prophecy.
The Sabbath as a Covenant Sign
The Sabbath is emphasized here as a sign of the covenant relationship between God and Israel — a weekly declaration that they belong to the God who sanctifies them.
The Tablets Written by the Finger of God
The law is not Moses' invention but God's direct revelation, written by His own finger on stone — emphasizing its divine authority and permanence.
Study Questions
What does it mean that Bezaleel was filled with the Spirit of God specifically for artistic craftsmanship (vv. 3-5), and how does this expand our understanding of spiritual gifts?
Why does God place the Sabbath command immediately after the tabernacle instructions — what is the relationship between building for God and resting in God?
What is the significance of the Sabbath being called 'a sign between me and you throughout your generations' (v. 13)?
How does the phrase 'written with the finger of God' (v. 18) establish the authority of the commandments?
What principles can we draw from God's appointment of both a lead craftsman and an assistant (Bezaleel and Aholiab) for ministry today?
Connection to Christ
Bezaleel, filled with the Spirit for the work of building God's dwelling, prefigures Christ, who is both the builder and the true temple (John 2:19-21). The tablets written by God's finger point to the superiority of the new covenant, where God writes His law 'in their hearts' (Jeremiah 31:33) by the Holy Spirit. Christ fulfills the Sabbath rest, inviting all who labor to find rest in Him (Matthew 11:28).
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Exodus 31. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?