Exodus

Exodus 31: God gives skill and holy rest

Begin in prayer

Before God names the workers and commands their rest, let us ask Him to rule our service. Pray for gratitude for the gifts He gives and for faith in Christ, who alone makes sinners holy.

Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us; establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands.

Psalm 90:17

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us use the abilities You give under Your commands. Show us Jesus and teach us that holiness comes from You. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

God calls Bezalel by name and fills him with His Spirit for work in metal, stones and wood. He appoints Oholiab with him and gives wisdom to the workers who will make the tent, furnishings, garments, oil and incense. Everything is to follow God’s command. God then requires the Sabbath as a sign that He sanctifies Israel, with death and exclusion for profaning it. The command follows His own six days of creation and rest on the seventh. When He finishes speaking on Sinai, He gives Moses the two stone tablets written with His finger.

As you read Exodus 31, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God gives skill for His work and makes His people holy under His word.

The detailed pattern is followed by God’s provision of people able to make it. Bezalel is called by name from Judah and filled with the Spirit for skillful workmanship. Oholiab from Dan shares the task, and God gives wisdom to all the other workers as well. Their skill is directed toward everything He has commanded, so ability serves obedience. The Sabbath command then sets a limit even on this holy work. Rest is a covenant sign that Israel may know the LORD as the One who sanctifies them. Its violation carries death and exclusion under the national covenant, giving the command its stated weight. The creation pattern grounds the six days of work and the seventh of rest, without suggesting that God becomes weary. God’s own writing on the tablets closes the instructions with the authority His people must obey.

How does Exodus 31 show us that God gives skill for His work and makes His people holy under His word?

God gives the ability His work requires.

Bezalel’s wisdom and skill come from the Spirit of God. Oholiab and the other workers also receive God’s wisdom. Their varied gifts serve one task under His word, as Christ equips His people for service.

God’s holy work must stay within His holy command.

Building the sanctuary does not cancel the Sabbath sign. Working on that holy day brings death and exclusion under Israel’s covenant. The people must know that the LORD sanctifies them, rather than treating their labor as their source of holiness.

God’s own word rules His people’s work and rest.

He made heaven and earth in six days and rested on the seventh. He writes the testimony on stone and gives it to Moses. The Lord who speaks with this authority is the One whose righteousness sinners need through Christ.

Memorise

I am Yahweh who sanctifies you.

Exodus 31:13

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, how am I using work to avoid my need for Jesus?

God gives the Sabbath so Israel may know, “I am Yahweh who sanctifies you.” The craftsmen need His wisdom, and even their sacred labor must stop at His command. Their holiness rests on the Lord who sets them apart.

Our work cannot undo the guilt of our sin. Jesus obeyed every command and suffered for His people’s sins at the cross. He rose again with their salvation accomplished, and His offering is enough to make them right with God. All that was needed has been done by the Savior.

Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Sinners who rest in Him receive forgiveness and a new way to serve. Bring Him the pride that makes work a refuge from God. Then receive your gifts with thanks and use them under the word of the Lord who makes His people holy.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God gave the workers wisdom, and that Jesus obeyed, died and rose to make His people holy. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for giving skill, commanding rest and making His people holy, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Matthew 12:8

Father, thank You for the abilities You give and the wisdom of Your commands. Forgive our pride in our own work. Lead us to repent and trust Jesus. Teach our family to serve faithfully, receive proper rest and honor the Lord whose word rules both. Amen.