Exodus Chapter 31
I wonder if Moses, at any given moment, wondered about who was going to create all the things that God had instructed him to make for the tabernacle? Or perhaps his mind was just so full of all that God was telling him that he never gave it a thought. It may be that he was on sensory overload, and he hadn’t yet realized he was going to need a lot of skilled craftsmen to create the things that God was describing.
What is most fascinating is that God had all those people planned already. They didn’t even know it yet, but God was working behind the scenes. They would wake up one morning and simply know how to prepare fine needlework or to bend brass into a work of beauty. God says that He called these artists by name. A few of them are named in scripture for us to read about along with the talents they were given. God called their name, and they suddenly were skilled to do the tasks God wanted them to do.
Maybe God has called your name to do a special task, and you have not yet yielded to serve Him because you are afraid? God will help you do that special task He has called you to. You only need to be willing to serve Him and to step forward.
Let's Reflect
1. What two tribes of Israel are mentioned that the artisans named were descendants of?
2. What are some other items that were not mentioned in previous chapters that would be created for service in the tabernacle?
3. There would even be special craftsmen who would create specific garments for Aaron and his sons. What was the purpose of the garments for Aaron and his sons?
4. The Bible says that God put wisdom into the hearts of the craftsmen, and He also filled them with the Holy Spirit. What was the reason for that? See verse 6.
5. The tabernacle was going to be constructed so that God could dwell with His people. However, if they did not come to the tabernacle to worship Him, it would do them no good. What command did God institute regarding the people giving time to worship?
6. During this Old Testament covenant what did God say would be the punishment for disobeying this command?
In the New Covenant we are no longer bound by this commandment. One verse in the Bible to back this up is Colossians 2:16-17 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. We know from other scripture that Jesus taught us that we should gather together with other believers in an assembly (local church) to worship the Lord our God.
7. When we work six days and rest on the seventh, what beautiful picture did God say we exemplify?
