The Law · Chapter 31 of 40

Exodus 31

God names Bezaleel of Judah and Aholiab of Dan, filling them with his Spirit and skill to craft everything for the tabernacle, and gives wisdom to all the willing-hearted workers. He then reaffirms the Sabbath as a perpetual sign between him and Israel, a holy day of rest recalling that he rested on the seventh day of creation. Finally he gives Moses the two tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

What happens in Exodus 31

As the instructions for the tabernacle close, God provides the workers to build it. He calls Bezaleel, son of Uri, of the tribe of Judah, by name and fills him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and all craftsmanship, to work in gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood. He appoints Aholiab of the tribe of Dan alongside him and puts skill in the hearts of all who are wise-hearted, so they can make everything he has commanded: the tent, the ark and mercy seat, the furniture, the altars, the laver, the priestly garments, the oil, and the incense.

Then God reaffirms the Sabbath. Israel must keep it as a sign between him and them throughout their generations, a holy day, for whoever profanes it is put to death. In six days God made heaven and earth and rested on the seventh. Finally he hands Moses two tables of testimony, stone written with the finger of God.

Exodus 31 in context

This chapter concludes the tabernacle instructions begun in chapter 25 and forms the bridge to the golden calf crisis that follows. Before the building can begin, God supplies both skilled builders and a rhythm of rest, showing that his work is done with his gifting and never at the expense of the Sabbath.

The gift of the two stone tables at the end sets the scene for chapter 32, where the people break the covenant even as Moses receives it.

Main themes of Exodus 31

The Spirit for craftsmanshipGod fills Bezaleel with his Spirit for artistry in gold, stone, and wood. The first person Scripture says is filled with the Spirit is an artisan. Skilled work done for God is a calling and a gift, and ordinary crafts become holy when devoted to his purposes.

The Sabbath as a signAmid all the building, God insists on rest. The Sabbath is a sign between him and Israel that he is the One who sanctifies them, rooted in his own rest at creation. Even sacred work must not crowd out trust and rest in God himself.

Written by the finger of GodThe two tables are given as God's own writing, not human composition. The covenant law comes from God directly, carved by his finger. Its authority is divine, standing over the people as a gift and a claim that no human hand devised or could revise.

This is part of the Law, the foundation of the whole story: creation, covenant, and a God who binds Himself to a people. As you read, watch for God's character and His promises, which all lead toward Christ.

Exodus 31 (KJV)

1And 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.

Verses to carry from Exodus 31

“And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,”Exodus 31:3

“Speak 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.”Exodus 31:13

“And 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.”Exodus 31:18

Thematic connection

How Exodus 31 points to Jesus

God's Sabbath, rooted in his rest at creation and given as a sign, finds its meaning in Christ, who calls the weary to himself saying come unto me, and I will give you rest. Hebrews 4 teaches that the Sabbath points beyond a day to the rest God's people enter by faith in him, ceasing from their own works as God did from his. The Spirit who filled Bezaleel to build the earthly tabernacle is the same Spirit Christ pours out to build his people into a living temple.

And the law written by God's finger on stone anticipates the new covenant Jesus brings, where God writes his law not on tablets but on the heart. The rest, the Spirit, and the law all lead to him.

Questions about Exodus 31

Why does Scripture emphasize that Bezaleel was filled with the Spirit for artistic work?

To show that skilled, creative labor is a genuine calling from God, not a lesser thing than preaching or prayer. The Spirit who empowers is the same who inspires craftsmanship in gold and wood. It dignifies honest work and beauty done for God's glory, teaching that ordinary talents, offered to him, become holy instruments in building his purposes among his people.

Why does God command Sabbath rest right in the middle of a great building project?

To insist that even sacred, urgent work must not crowd out rest and trust in him. The Sabbath is a sign that God, not their labor, sanctifies his people. Israel could pause because the outcome rested in his hands. It guards against making even good work an idol, and points to the deeper rest Christ gives to all who come to him.

Reflection

God cares about your work and your rest. He gives skill for the tasks he calls you to, and he commands you to stop and trust him even when the work feels urgent. Your labor does not hold the world together; he does. Offer your ordinary skills to him, and let his Sabbath teach you to rest in Christ.

A prayer from Exodus 31

Lord, you gift your people for their work and call them to rest. Fill my hands with skill for the work you have given, and teach me to lay it down and trust you. Let me rest in Christ, who carries what I cannot. Amen.

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