Exodus 31: Called and Equipped for God’s Work

Key Verse: Exodus 31:3"And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship."

God is not just giving instructions—He is providing the people to fulfill them.

The Tabernacle, the place where God’s presence will dwell, requires skill and craftsmanship. So, God calls Bezalel and Oholiab, two men uniquely gifted to bring His vision to life.

Chosen and Filled with the Spirit

God chooses Bezalel from the tribe of Judah and fills him with the Spirit of God.

• He is given wisdom, understanding, and skill.

• He is gifted in craftsmanship, working with gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood.

• He is not working alone—God appoints Oholiab to assist him.

This is the first time in Scripture that someone is described as being “filled with the Spirit of God.” And it’s not for preaching, miracles, or battle—it’s for creativity and craftsmanship.

God values skill, excellence, and artistry. The ability to create beauty is a gift from Him.

The Sabbath: A Sign of Rest and Trust

After giving instructions for the Tabernacle, God reminds Israel of something just as important: the Sabbath.

"Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the Lord, sanctify you." (Exodus 31:13)

Even as they build a place of worship, they must rest.

Why? Because the Sabbath is not just about stopping work—it’s about trusting God.

• God created in six days and rested on the seventh.

• Israel is to work and then rest in Him.

• The Sabbath is a reminder that holiness is not about striving—it’s about being set apart.

The Tablets of the Covenant

Finally, after forty days on Mount Sinai, God gives Moses two stone tablets, written by His own hand.

These are the heart of the covenant—God’s laws, His commands, His instructions for how His people are to live.

But while Moses is receiving God’s Word, the people are about to break it.

Jesus: The True Rest and the Ultimate Builder

• Bezalel was filled with the Spirit to build the Tabernacle—Jesus builds the true dwelling place of God. (John 2:19)

• The Sabbath was a sign of rest—Jesus is our ultimate rest. (Matthew 11:28)

• The Law was written on stone—Jesus writes His law on our hearts. (Jeremiah 31:33)

A Lesson for Us

• God equips those He calls. If He has given you a task, He will give you the ability to complete it.

• Rest is an act of trust. Do we believe that God is in control, even when we stop working?

• His Word is our foundation. Are we building our lives on His commands, or are we about to fall into distraction, like Israel?

God has called us to create, to work, and to rest for His glory.

Are we following His design?