God Empowers for His Sacred Work
Exodus
31 marks the end of the instructions from Mount Sinai on the construction of
the tabernacle and the start of the tragic story of the golden calf in Exodus
32. This chapter comprises three concepts which are very much linked to one
another: the appointment and enabling of
the craftsmen (31:1-11), the
restating of the Sabbath as a sign of the covenant (31:12-17), and the tablets of the testimony given to
Moses by God (31:18). It follows that the chapter combines three apparently
diverse themes of craftsmanship, Sabbath observance, and divine communication
through writing but in fact it unites all these three themes in a single
theological concept: God determines how He is to be worshipped,
provides the people and gifts necessary for that worship, commands them to rest
in His covenant provision, and gives His authoritative word as the foundation
of the covenant.
God Calls and Equips
Bezalel and Oholiab
Exodus
25-30 contains God’s instructions relating to the tabernacle, its furnishings,
priestly attire, sacrifices, anointing oil, and incense. God gave Moses the
most detailed instructions regarding the tabernacle while he was on Mount
Sinai. However, Exodus 31 answers a crucial question: who is going to construct everything according to the instructions of
God? This is important because unlike just giving Israel all the
instructions for which they have to figure out how to execute them, God chooses
certain individuals and gives them the necessary ability to do the task He
assigned to them. Hence, when God calls
people, God equips them with the ability to serve Him.
I Have Called by Name
Bezalel
The
phrase "called by name" is vital. Bezalel is not just anyone who
happens to join in a construction project. Bezalel's qualification and
appointment are part of the broader redemptive process of God. Bezalel’s
lineage is important since it is associated with the tribe of Judah, which in
the subsequent years becomes an important part of the messianic line of Israel.
See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of
the tribe of Judah (Exodus 31:2).
The
personhood of Hur (his grandfather) is associated with Hur who helped Moses in
the fight against Amalek and also when Moses went up Mount Sinai (Exodus
17:10-12; 24:14). The association is plausible, but not absolutely certain
because the Bible does not mention these as the same people. The importance of
"called by name" is emphasized by John 10:3, "The shepherd knows His sheep by name."
Hence, those whom He calls, He does so by name, Exodus 3:4;
God calls Moses by name. 1 Samuel 3:10; God calls Samuel by
name, and Isaiah 45:3–4; Cyrus is called by name for God's
purpose. The principle is that God's work is not merely an impersonal program.
God knows, appoints and employs particular people.
The name of Bezalel has always been linked to the concept “in the shadow/protection of God.” The
theological concept is fitting: the workman functions within the authority and
provision of God. The Biblical concept is not the fact that Bezalel was gifted,
thus God utilized him. No! The concept is: God
knew of his gift, called him, and equipped him.
I Have Filled Him
with the Spirit of God
After
calling Bezalel by name, God filled him in His Spirit. The Spirit of God is not
only connected with preaching or prophesy but with craftsmanship. The Spirit
and craftsmanship; God gave Bezalel wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and skill.
The Hebrew words signify various levels of craftsmanship skills and not just
the four different skills indicated. It means God through His Spirit helped
Bezalel make physical items out of God’s instructions.
And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in
understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 to design
artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, 5 in cutting jewels for
setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship (Exodus
31:3-5).
The
work of the Spirit of God in the Bible goes beyond spiritual preaching and
prophesy to include artistic and practical craftsmanship as well, as seen from
Exodus 35:30–35. When the building process starts, there is a mention of the
Spirit gifting language used. Paul teaches there are diversities of gifts, but
the same Spirit [1 Corinthians 12:4–7]. Therefore, One Spirit →
different gifts → one divine purpose. The connection with Bezalel is
the principle of divinely distributed competence.
The church should
therefore not define “spirituality” narrowly as preaching, singing or public
leadership. God can be glorified through administration, design, technical
expertise, teaching, construction, finance, research, communication, technology
and countless other forms of faithful service.
The Skilled Work
Skill is not spiritually lower than that
which is verbally declared as the ministry of the tabernacle: skills of
making metals, goldsmithing, silverware, bronze ware, gem cutting, woodworking,
weaving, embroidery, clothing, designs, organization, and building. God
proclaims all these skills to be gifts. This calls into question the false
distinction between: "spiritual
work" and "normal work."
The issue is not only the spirituality of the task itself, but rather is it carried out faithfully according to God's
call and His purpose? Bezalel received the ability to devise crafty works
and the ability to do work in gold, in silver, and in bronze. He was also
gifted to cut stones, set stones, work in wood, and several crafts. This shows
that there is a balance: God gives the blueprint, but He also gives creativity.
God had already given the overall specifications for the tabernacle.
Nevertheless, someone still needed to convert these specifications into real
objects. This means that biblical creativity does not have to be creativity
without any bounds.
Human
ingenuity is ultimately a gift from God and that natural ability and acquired
skill do not compete with divine enablement; rather, they are themselves part
of God's providential provision. This has enormous implications, Exodus 31
teaches that God cares about: competence, quality, design, beauty, craftsmanship,
technical knowledge, organization, and leadership. Therefore, develop
your skill, dedicate your skill, and use your skill faithfully.
Oholiab and the
Importance of Complementary Leadership
Oholiab
was of the tribe of Dan, while Bezalel was of the tribe of Judah. God unites
people from various tribes for one holy
purpose.
And I, indeed I, have appointed with him
Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the
hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded
you (Exodus 31:6).
God
could have chosen Bezalel alone for His task, but instead God chose: Bezalel + Oholiab + the craftsmen. This
sets forth the theology of teamwork ministry. Not every individual has all the
needed skills. The Tabernacle is a communal project. At the beginning of its
construction, Bezalel, Oholiab, and the craftsmen did the job [Exodus 36:1–2]. Invitation → Empowering → Teamwork → Work
done. The work of God demands different talents to work together [1
Corinthians 12:12-27]. A good ministry, organization or project should not be
entirely dependent on one highly talented individual. Good leadership:
Recognizes talents, Delegates responsibility, Develops individuals,
Coordinating various talents, and Giving people space to work.
In the Hearts of all that
are Wise-Hearted I Have Put Wisdom
For Bezalel, wisdom was not given alone, for
wisdom was also put into the hearts of all the artisans. It leads to a
difference between: Gifted leadership and complementary leadership. Bezalel has
a special role to play, and Oholiab is meant to assist him. Other skilled
artisans bring in their skills. This is what organizations call distributed expertise. The Craftsmen
had to make all the articles according to the commandments of God. The artisans
were gifted, but their creativity was not independent. Being gifted does not
override obedience. One can be highly gifted and yet misappropriate his talent.
Biblical craftsmanship consists of: Gift
+ skill + obedience. Being gifted and disobeying makes one self-exalting. Being
skilled and unholy leads to idol worship. Being creative and non-revealing
makes one innovate for innovation's sake. Exodus 31 ends with: God's
authorized craftsmen constructing God's tabernacle according to God's command. Exodus
32 begins with: Israel constructing a golden calf according to human
desire. Therefore, craftsmanship can be governed by revelation or
used for idolatry. The problem is what the human skill
is being used to worship.
This is an
important theological warning for every age.
My Sabbaths You Shall
Keep
God
commanded Israel to build Him a sanctuary. Then He says, in essence: Do not get so busy working on My behalf
that you break My commandment to take rest. The task of building the
sanctuary should not provide any exception even though that is God's work;
God's work should never be an excuse for disobedience to God. Israel might have
thought: We are building God’s sanctuary. This is certainly worth working seven
days for. God does not accept that reasoning.
Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you
shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations,
that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you (Exodus 31:13).
The
holiness of the undertaking does not make void the holiness of obedience. This
applies to: pastors, missionaries, lecturers, church leaders, project managers,
humanitarian workers, parents, and many others. The importance of the objective can never be an excuse for
breaking God’s principles. Sabbath was God's sign of the covenant. Sabbath
was meant to remind Israel that God was the One who sanctified them. They were
sanctified not by their continuous busyness.
The
fourth commandment itself was a reminder for Sabbath keeping [Exodus 20:8-11].
God worked for six days and rested on the seventh day. Sabbath is a covenant
sign of sanctification. Therefore, Sabbath has at least two theological basis:
God worked and rested, and Covenant; God sanctifies his people. The Sabbath is
a combination: creation + covenant +
sanctification. In Genesis, God finished his work and rested on the seventh
day [Genesis 2:2-3]. It reminds Israel: God is the Creator, whereas man is the
creature. Man is not God. We cannot
continue working endlessly. Rest means we confess our creatureliness. Before the official announcement of the Ten
Commandments at Mount Sinai, there was an announcement about Sabbath with
respect to manna [Exodus 16:23-30]. It is important because Sabbath was incorporated
into Israel’s life experience as God’s provision. Israel was taught that you
can stop working because God will take care of you. God gave double portion of
manna for them on the sixth day and they did not have to gather manna on the
seventh day. Therefore, Sabbath teaches
us not to worry: “If I stop, everything will fall apart.” God is ultimately my provider.
Additionally, Sanctification is ultimately God's work, we do not work for our
sanctification. God gave them His Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Him,
that they might know that God is the one who sanctify [Ezekiel 20:12].
Sabbath
then signifies various things. Dependence: Israel has to cease from their
activities and rely on God; Identity: Israel is part of God; Sanctification: God sanctifies his
people; Creation: people mimic God’s
creation cycle; Covenant: Sabbath
shows that Israel are covenant people of God; and finally, Rest: Sabbath reflects the biblical theology of entering God’s
rest. Sabbath was specifically created by God as a covenantal sign between him
and Israel. In the New Testament, Christians are not put under the Mosaic
covenant in totality. According to Paul, believers must not permit anyone to
pass judgment on them in regard to: food; drink; holidays; full moons; and
Sabbaths [Colossians 2:16–17]. Paul considers these things as a shadow whereas
Christ is the substance of these shadows [Romans 14:5–6]. Paul acknowledges
differences among Christians about observing certain days [Hebrews 4:1–11]. The
Book of Hebrews expounds on the issue of God’s rest and relates it to a deeper
theological significance. It implies that the Christian does not transfer the
Mosaic legislation on Sabbath directly to the New Covenant in mechanical terms.
However, the theme of rest, worship,
reliance on God and non-conformity with enslaving work is crucially important.
Sabbath and Christ's
Finished Work
This leads to an important New
Testament theological connection, Jesus says: “Come unto me, all ye that labour
and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” [Matthew 11:28]. The
Christian's deepest rest is ultimately found in Christ. Creation
rest → Israel's Sabbath → God's promised rest → Christ's completed work →
ultimate eschatological rest. Therefore, the Sabbath principle
points beyond rest from physical labor. It points toward the truth that: Human
beings cannot save themselves through endless activity. Salvation
is received from God. Christians do not serve Christ in order to purchase
salvation. We serve because salvation has already been given through Christ [Ephesians
2:8–10]. Grace → salvation → good works. Good
works are the result of salvation, not the price of salvation. God's cessation
from creative work, was not out of fatigue. The Hebrew imagery
communicates completion and cessation. God's rest means: the
work has been completed [John 19:30; Hebrews 10:12].
The Two Tablets of
the Testimony
The chapter ends
with God giving Moses, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with
the finger of God. This expression emphasizes divine authorship. It does not
necessarily mean that God literally possessed a physical finger in the human
sense. It is anthropomorphic language communicating direct divine
action and authority.
And when He had made an end of speaking with
him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of
stone, written with the finger of God (Exodus 31:18).
The tables were the work of God,
and the writing was the writing of God [Exodus 32:16; Deuteronomy 9:10]. The tablets were made of stone, this communicates
permanence and durability. The law possessed divine authority. Christ came so
that, the law may be inscribed in our hearts [2 Corinthians 3; Jeremiah 31:31–34; Hebrews 8:10; Hebrews
10:16].
The New Covenant
|
Theme |
Old Testament (OT) |
New Testament (NT) |
Development of the Theme |
|
Spirit-enabled
service |
Exodus
31:3 — Bezalel is
filled with the Spirit of God for wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and
craftsmanship in constructing the Tabernacle. |
1
Corinthians 12:4–11
— The Holy Spirit distributes different spiritual gifts to believers for
ministry. |
Selected
artisans → Spirit-equipped believers |
|
Purpose
of gifting |
Bezalel's
Spirit-enabled abilities serve the construction of God's sacred dwelling
place. |
Spiritual
gifts are given for the common good and the ministry of the body of Christ. |
Sacred
craftsmanship → diverse Christian ministry |
|
Who
receives empowerment? |
Particular
individuals are specifically chosen and empowered for particular tasks. |
The
Holy Spirit distributes gifts among the wider body of Christ according to His
will. |
Individual
empowerment → corporate empowerment |
|
Good
works |
Bezalel
is equipped to accomplish the work God appointed him to do. |
Ephesians
2:10 — Believers are
created in Christ Jesus for good works prepared by God. |
Divinely
appointed work → Christian life of good works |
|
Stewardship
of gifts |
Bezalel
uses God-given abilities in faithful service to the sanctuary. |
1
Peter 4:10–11 — Believers are to
use their gifts as good stewards of God's varied grace. |
Gift
received → gift stewarded for others |
|
God's
dwelling |
The
Tabernacle is the physical sanctuary where God manifests His covenant
presence among Israel. |
John
1:14 — Christ
"dwelt" among humanity; Ephesians 2:21–22 — the Church
becomes a dwelling place of God by the Spirit. |
Tabernacle
→ Christ → Church |
|
Temple
imagery |
God's
presence is associated with the Tabernacle and later the Temple. |
1
Corinthians 3:16 — believers
collectively are God's temple; 1 Corinthians 6:19 — the individual
believer's body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. |
Physical
sanctuary → spiritual dwelling |
|
Nature
of God's presence |
God
dwells among His covenant people through the Tabernacle. |
God
dwells in His people through the Holy Spirit. |
God
among His people → God in His people |
|
Community
dimension |
Israel
gathers around the Tabernacle as God's covenant community. |
The
Church is being built together as God's dwelling place through the Spirit. |
Covenant
congregation → Spirit-formed Church |
|
Overall
movement |
Selected
artisans receive God's Spirit for a particular sacred task. |
The
Spirit equips the whole body of Christ with diverse gifts for ministry. |
Tabernacle
→ Christ → Church → Spirit-indwelt believer |
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