The verse opens the Lord speaking to Moses on the mount with instructions for building the tabernacle and its service. The speaker is Jesus Christ giving positive requirements to be carried to the whole encampment. It begins His naming by name of the men He chose for the work, Bezaleel of Judah as architect and with him Aholiab of Dan. Those He called He filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom and understanding and knowledge and all workmanship, and put wisdom in all the wisehearted to make exactly all that was commanded after the pattern shown in the mount. After these directions for that holy work He enforced the keeping of the seventh-day Sabbath as His perpetual sign between Him and His people.
Verse Setting and Plan
The Lord speaking to Moses on the mount gives instruction for building the tabernacle and its service, with particular care for that wilderness work. In the words that follow He names Bezaleel and declares He has filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom and understanding and knowledge and all manner of workmanship, and He has appointed Aholiab and put wisdom in the hearts of all the wisehearted to make all that was commanded. The work was to be carried out according to everything commanded, depending on God's gifts working through human hands. The speaker is Jesus Christ giving positive requirements to be communicated to the whole encampment. The word of the Lord was made known to all that vast congregation when Moses spoke through the trumpet and others carried the same words section by section through trumpets, the trumpet giving a certain sound, and the instruction given here is joined to Isaiah 58 to present the word of the Lord in regard to the Seventh-day Sabbath.
Moses was troubled by the question how the work was to be done and who was sufficient for it. Though he was proficient in all the learning of the Egyptians and had knowledge of God and His purposes revealed in visions, he did not know how to engrave and embroider. Israel had been held in bondage in Egypt and knew how to make bricks but had not been instructed in working gold and silver and the curious arts called for. Neither Moses nor those workmen were left to plan the form and workmanship of the building. God Himself devised the plan and gave it to Moses, with particular directions as to its size and form, and the materials to be used, and specified every article of furniture which was to be in it.
God presented before Moses a miniature model of the heavenly sanctuary, and commanded him to make all things according to the pattern shown him in the mount. God pledged to work with those building it, joining practical skill and labor with cooperation with God and one another. Moses wrote all the directions in a book, and read them to the most influential of the people. The work commanded included the tabernacle and ark of the testimony and mercy seat and all furniture and table and pure candlestick and altars of incense and burnt offering and laver and cloths of service and holy garments for Aaron and his sons and anointing oil and sweet incense, to be made exactly as commanded.
The verse begins God's own explanation of how the work was to be accomplished, signifying by name the persons He desired for the work. Bezaleel the son of Uri of the tribe of Judah was to be the architect, called by name and filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom and understanding and knowledge and all manner of workmanship for devising cunning works in gold and silver and brass and cutting stones and carving timber. With him was Aholiab of the tribe of Dan, given with wisdom in the hearts of all the wisehearted to carry out the commands.
God Calls and Equips
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, introduces His naming of the men He desired for the tabernacle work. He called Bezaleel the son of Uri of the tribe of Judah by name and filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom and understanding and knowledge and all manner of workmanship. That endowment was for devising cunning works in gold and silver and brass, and for cutting of stones and carving of timber, and He put in his heart to teach. With him He gave Aholiab of the tribe of Dan, and put wisdom in the hearts of all the wisehearted to make all that was commanded, the tabernacle and ark of the testimony and mercy seat and all furniture and table and pure candlestick and altars of incense and burnt offering and laver and cloths of service and holy garments for Aaron and his sons and anointing oil and sweet incense, exactly as commanded. Every wise-hearted man in whom wisdom and understanding were put wrought under them in engraving and cunning work and embroidery and weaving and devising cunning work.
He called men who already had qualifications of character and gave them aptitude and skill for the most skillful work instead of leaving them to their own human wisdom. He raised them up and qualified them with more than natural abilities to perform the most ingenious work. Human strength, skill, and education come from Him, for He is the Teacher and equips people of every station for appointed work, and humble workers' gifts and service are accepted and used when dedicated to His work. Heavenly intelligences cooperated with the workmen He Himself chose, joining human skill with God-given wisdom. The skill then conferred was inherited in large degree by descendants in Judah and Dan who were regarded as especially cunning in the finer arts. Those descendants dishonored their Maker when they used that gift in the service of heathen kings.
He gives wisdom and understanding to people willing to learn from Him and cooperate with Him, and their faithful use of abilities leads to greater skill and wisdom. He gives people work suited to their abilities, appointing certain ones with ability, talent, and skill for the work, and faithfulness in even a small beginning brings His blessing and the growth of talents. Skill and willing service are gifts He provides and stirs people to use willingly in His work. Human unfaithfulness can hinder His work and lead to withdrawal of His favor.
Pattern Perfection and Standard
The Lord's speaking to Moses introduces His instructions for building the tabernacle, and the work was to be carried out according to everything He commanded. Neither Moses nor the workmen were left to plan the form and workmanship, for God Himself devised the plan with particular directions as to size, form, materials, and every article of furniture, showed Moses a miniature model of the heavenly sanctuary, and commanded that all things be made according to the pattern shown in the mount. Moses wrote all the directions in a book and read them to the most influential of the people. This teaches His people in all ages that He requires perfection in every detail, with skill and exactness in His service.
Everything done in erecting the tabernacle, sacred for the service of God, was to represent His perfection. The tabernacle stood continually before more than a million people as an illustration of the perfection and completeness of Christ's work. Its construction was thus an object lesson in the perfection of that work.
In the tabernacle God arranged every detail and gave a representation of His power and majesty. The work was to be a special representation of the exalted character of His service and to represent the sacredness of the human temple. For that reason ability for the most skillful work was given by the Lord instead of leaving the workers to their own human wisdom, and artisans so gifted have no cause to become exalted because of skill and aptitude.
The exactness, skill, wisdom, tact, and excellence required for the earthly tabernacle is the standard for every line of work in God's service. That same high standard applies to mechanical work, to practical and business work, and to every kind of service done for God. Devotion to God and a spirit of sacrifice remain essential to acceptable service.
The sanctuary's construction followed a plan given by God, who pledged to work with those building it. The work joined practical skill and labor with cooperation with God and with one another. In this way it taught the people to help prepare God's temple in the soul.
Sabbath Law and Sign
After giving special directions for building the tabernacle, God enforced observance of the Sabbath even for that holy work, lest the workmen in their zeal say that the Lord's work done under His supervision could be carried on without observing the Sabbath. As slaves in Egypt the children of Israel had been compelled to work on the Sabbath and had largely lost the knowledge of the Sabbath, so the commandments were given in awful grandeur upon Mount Sinai with the Sabbath guarded in particular.
The verse begins God's plain word to Moses specifying in plain words the binding claims of His law and the penalty of transgression, telling which day is the Sabbath of the Lord. God Himself gave the law proclaimed from Mount Sinai, including the seventh-day Sabbath, which anyone with a Bible can read and trace out instead of exalting Sunday and making void the law. Every word in the chapter is from God as the guide for obedience, and the Sabbath test concerns obeying God's commandments rather than following a day without the Lord's authority or sanctification.
The Sabbath was instituted in Eden and is presented as a sign instituted by the Lord between Him and His people throughout their generations forever for a perpetual covenant, as God's memorial. Keeping the seventh day in God's directed way shows bearing His sign, being loyal subjects of His kingdom, and acknowledging Him as Creator of heaven and earth. It draws a plain public line between him that serves God and him that serves Him not, marks holiness to the Lord as the badge of His people, and brings cheerful happiness in assurance of His blessing pronounced on those who keep holy the day He set apart.
The Sabbath message exposes the forcing of men to accept a spurious Sabbath and prepares a people to stand in days of peril. Whether to obey the light given about the Sabbath or to reject it is not a matter of little moment but of great importance. Genuine sanctification is keeping the seventh day holy unto the Lord as His memorial and sign that they may know He is the Lord that sanctifies them. The instruction here is joined to Isaiah 58 to present the word of the Lord in regard to the Seventh-day Sabbath.
Proper observance means not depriving oneself and helpers of the Sabbath by taxing labor such as serving large numbers of meals to regular boarders. Closing Sabbath business gives opportunity to proclaim the truth by explaining why the work is closed, giving reasons for keeping the Sabbath, sharing reading matter, and sowing seeds of truth.
Service and Application Today
The Lord who spoke to give wisdom for building the tabernacle still speaks to give wisdom to do His will today. As He arranged every detail of that building and made it a representation of His power and majesty, so He watches present work and by word and Spirit and providence designs to direct it. Buildings raised for Him now are to honor His name and correspond with His providence, showing faithfulness and stability and fitness in every part and every line, never moving forward shabbily.
Those who build His institutions are to represent truth by working in His spirit and love, feeling anxiety for Christ's constant help, taking time to ask His counsel, letting prayer and holy song ascend, realizing entire dependence upon God, looking unto Jesus, and laboring together with God in a work of eternal consequence. Faithful work thus done preaches sermons that convict and convert, as Noah's building of the ark warned the world. The same gift of tact and skill and wisdom given for the tabernacle is imparted to all who have a part in His cause today, received by depending wholly upon Him, being willing to be controlled and guided by Him, and walking and working as men and women accountable to God.
He personally calls and equips persons for branches of the cause of truth, and youth training to connect with His work are blessed in all they are called to do when they relate themselves to the God of heaven and labor humbly in meekness and lowliness of heart. Then the Lord God of Israel impresses the mind and gives wisdom to do the work aright, angels of light are present to help, and with the fear of God in mind and heart and constant devotion they honor the spoken standard of right-doing in Scripture, which can never be changed but is eternal truth. Capabilities are not to be employed for selfish advantage but are bestowed to show forth His glory in smaller as well as larger matters, praising Him for choosing them to reveal the greatness of His gift. Christ has a place for all sanctified ability, first bestowing the gift and then power to improve it for advancing His cause rather than for selfish interest, through daily surrender of self, use of every capability with unselfish love, cheerful and willing bearing of the cross of self-denial, and times apart to rest and commune with God to learn to work to His greatest glory. Great grace with wisdom and judgment and skill is imparted to one who so works, to be given back in willing service by one who feels greatly honored to have a part assigned, offering faithful service from love and reverence while guided by the unseen Leader.
Ability for the most skillful work is given by the Lord to men already having qualifications of character, not left to their own human wisdom, because the work is a special representation of the exalted character of His service and of the sacredness of the human temple, so artisans have no cause to become exalted because of skill and aptitude. The wilderness tabernacle was directed and designed by God, who Himself educated the workmen, and they put heart and soul and strength and skill into demanding physical labor for His honor, with the sturdy mechanic taxing muscle and sinew, as an expression of love to Him. The same Lord who gave skill and understanding in all manner of cunning work for the tabernacle now teaches many minds in many localities how to combine local natural products, fruits and seeds and grains and roots, properly prepared into wholesome foods, with skill and ingenuity to be shared freely, especially with the poor and those who cannot purchase manufactured health foods. He directly supplies practical skill and intelligence for manual work, giving helpers manufacturing health foods tact and intelligence to do the right kind of work in building up the tabernacle of the body when they are controlled by the Holy Spirit.
The verse opens the Lord speaking to Moses on the mount with instructions for building the tabernacle and its service. The speaker is Jesus Christ giving positive requirements to be carried to the whole encampment. It begins His naming by name of the men He chose for the work, Bezaleel of Judah as architect and with him Aholiab of Dan. Those He called He filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom and understanding and knowledge and all workmanship, and put wisdom in all the wisehearted to make exactly all that was commanded after the pattern shown in the mount. After these directions for that holy work He enforced the keeping of the seventh-day Sabbath as His perpetual sign between Him and His people.
Verse Setting and Plan
The Lord speaking to Moses on the mount gives instruction for building the tabernacle and its service, with particular care for that wilderness work. In the words that follow He names Bezaleel and declares He has filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom and understanding and knowledge and all manner of workmanship, and He has appointed Aholiab and put wisdom in the hearts of all the wisehearted to make all that was commanded. The work was to be carried out according to everything commanded, depending on God's gifts working through human hands. The speaker is Jesus Christ giving positive requirements to be communicated to the whole encampment. The word of the Lord was made known to all that vast congregation when Moses spoke through the trumpet and others carried the same words section by section through trumpets, the trumpet giving a certain sound, and the instruction given here is joined to Isaiah 58 to present the word of the Lord in regard to the Seventh-day Sabbath.
Moses was troubled by the question how the work was to be done and who was sufficient for it. Though he was proficient in all the learning of the Egyptians and had knowledge of God and His purposes revealed in visions, he did not know how to engrave and embroider. Israel had been held in bondage in Egypt and knew how to make bricks but had not been instructed in working gold and silver and the curious arts called for. Neither Moses nor those workmen were left to plan the form and workmanship of the building. God Himself devised the plan and gave it to Moses, with particular directions as to its size and form, and the materials to be used, and specified every article of furniture which was to be in it.
God presented before Moses a miniature model of the heavenly sanctuary, and commanded him to make all things according to the pattern shown him in the mount. God pledged to work with those building it, joining practical skill and labor with cooperation with God and one another. Moses wrote all the directions in a book, and read them to the most influential of the people. The work commanded included the tabernacle and ark of the testimony and mercy seat and all furniture and table and pure candlestick and altars of incense and burnt offering and laver and cloths of service and holy garments for Aaron and his sons and anointing oil and sweet incense, to be made exactly as commanded.
The verse begins God's own explanation of how the work was to be accomplished, signifying by name the persons He desired for the work. Bezaleel the son of Uri of the tribe of Judah was to be the architect, called by name and filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom and understanding and knowledge and all manner of workmanship for devising cunning works in gold and silver and brass and cutting stones and carving timber. With him was Aholiab of the tribe of Dan, given with wisdom in the hearts of all the wisehearted to carry out the commands.
God Calls and Equips
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, introduces His naming of the men He desired for the tabernacle work. He called Bezaleel the son of Uri of the tribe of Judah by name and filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom and understanding and knowledge and all manner of workmanship. That endowment was for devising cunning works in gold and silver and brass, and for cutting of stones and carving of timber, and He put in his heart to teach. With him He gave Aholiab of the tribe of Dan, and put wisdom in the hearts of all the wisehearted to make all that was commanded, the tabernacle and ark of the testimony and mercy seat and all furniture and table and pure candlestick and altars of incense and burnt offering and laver and cloths of service and holy garments for Aaron and his sons and anointing oil and sweet incense, exactly as commanded. Every wise-hearted man in whom wisdom and understanding were put wrought under them in engraving and cunning work and embroidery and weaving and devising cunning work.
He called men who already had qualifications of character and gave them aptitude and skill for the most skillful work instead of leaving them to their own human wisdom. He raised them up and qualified them with more than natural abilities to perform the most ingenious work. Human strength, skill, and education come from Him, for He is the Teacher and equips people of every station for appointed work, and humble workers' gifts and service are accepted and used when dedicated to His work. Heavenly intelligences cooperated with the workmen He Himself chose, joining human skill with God-given wisdom. The skill then conferred was inherited in large degree by descendants in Judah and Dan who were regarded as especially cunning in the finer arts. Those descendants dishonored their Maker when they used that gift in the service of heathen kings.
He gives wisdom and understanding to people willing to learn from Him and cooperate with Him, and their faithful use of abilities leads to greater skill and wisdom. He gives people work suited to their abilities, appointing certain ones with ability, talent, and skill for the work, and faithfulness in even a small beginning brings His blessing and the growth of talents. Skill and willing service are gifts He provides and stirs people to use willingly in His work. Human unfaithfulness can hinder His work and lead to withdrawal of His favor.
Pattern Perfection and Standard
The Lord's speaking to Moses introduces His instructions for building the tabernacle, and the work was to be carried out according to everything He commanded. Neither Moses nor the workmen were left to plan the form and workmanship, for God Himself devised the plan with particular directions as to size, form, materials, and every article of furniture, showed Moses a miniature model of the heavenly sanctuary, and commanded that all things be made according to the pattern shown in the mount. Moses wrote all the directions in a book and read them to the most influential of the people. This teaches His people in all ages that He requires perfection in every detail, with skill and exactness in His service.
Everything done in erecting the tabernacle, sacred for the service of God, was to represent His perfection. The tabernacle stood continually before more than a million people as an illustration of the perfection and completeness of Christ's work. Its construction was thus an object lesson in the perfection of that work.
In the tabernacle God arranged every detail and gave a representation of His power and majesty. The work was to be a special representation of the exalted character of His service and to represent the sacredness of the human temple. For that reason ability for the most skillful work was given by the Lord instead of leaving the workers to their own human wisdom, and artisans so gifted have no cause to become exalted because of skill and aptitude.
The exactness, skill, wisdom, tact, and excellence required for the earthly tabernacle is the standard for every line of work in God's service. That same high standard applies to mechanical work, to practical and business work, and to every kind of service done for God. Devotion to God and a spirit of sacrifice remain essential to acceptable service.
The sanctuary's construction followed a plan given by God, who pledged to work with those building it. The work joined practical skill and labor with cooperation with God and with one another. In this way it taught the people to help prepare God's temple in the soul.
Sabbath Law and Sign
After giving special directions for building the tabernacle, God enforced observance of the Sabbath even for that holy work, lest the workmen in their zeal say that the Lord's work done under His supervision could be carried on without observing the Sabbath. As slaves in Egypt the children of Israel had been compelled to work on the Sabbath and had largely lost the knowledge of the Sabbath, so the commandments were given in awful grandeur upon Mount Sinai with the Sabbath guarded in particular.
The verse begins God's plain word to Moses specifying in plain words the binding claims of His law and the penalty of transgression, telling which day is the Sabbath of the Lord. God Himself gave the law proclaimed from Mount Sinai, including the seventh-day Sabbath, which anyone with a Bible can read and trace out instead of exalting Sunday and making void the law. Every word in the chapter is from God as the guide for obedience, and the Sabbath test concerns obeying God's commandments rather than following a day without the Lord's authority or sanctification.
The Sabbath was instituted in Eden and is presented as a sign instituted by the Lord between Him and His people throughout their generations forever for a perpetual covenant, as God's memorial. Keeping the seventh day in God's directed way shows bearing His sign, being loyal subjects of His kingdom, and acknowledging Him as Creator of heaven and earth. It draws a plain public line between him that serves God and him that serves Him not, marks holiness to the Lord as the badge of His people, and brings cheerful happiness in assurance of His blessing pronounced on those who keep holy the day He set apart.
The Sabbath message exposes the forcing of men to accept a spurious Sabbath and prepares a people to stand in days of peril. Whether to obey the light given about the Sabbath or to reject it is not a matter of little moment but of great importance. Genuine sanctification is keeping the seventh day holy unto the Lord as His memorial and sign that they may know He is the Lord that sanctifies them. The instruction here is joined to Isaiah 58 to present the word of the Lord in regard to the Seventh-day Sabbath.
Proper observance means not depriving oneself and helpers of the Sabbath by taxing labor such as serving large numbers of meals to regular boarders. Closing Sabbath business gives opportunity to proclaim the truth by explaining why the work is closed, giving reasons for keeping the Sabbath, sharing reading matter, and sowing seeds of truth.
Service and Application Today
The Lord who spoke to give wisdom for building the tabernacle still speaks to give wisdom to do His will today. As He arranged every detail of that building and made it a representation of His power and majesty, so He watches present work and by word and Spirit and providence designs to direct it. Buildings raised for Him now are to honor His name and correspond with His providence, showing faithfulness and stability and fitness in every part and every line, never moving forward shabbily.
Those who build His institutions are to represent truth by working in His spirit and love, feeling anxiety for Christ's constant help, taking time to ask His counsel, letting prayer and holy song ascend, realizing entire dependence upon God, looking unto Jesus, and laboring together with God in a work of eternal consequence. Faithful work thus done preaches sermons that convict and convert, as Noah's building of the ark warned the world. The same gift of tact and skill and wisdom given for the tabernacle is imparted to all who have a part in His cause today, received by depending wholly upon Him, being willing to be controlled and guided by Him, and walking and working as men and women accountable to God.
He personally calls and equips persons for branches of the cause of truth, and youth training to connect with His work are blessed in all they are called to do when they relate themselves to the God of heaven and labor humbly in meekness and lowliness of heart. Then the Lord God of Israel impresses the mind and gives wisdom to do the work aright, angels of light are present to help, and with the fear of God in mind and heart and constant devotion they honor the spoken standard of right-doing in Scripture, which can never be changed but is eternal truth. Capabilities are not to be employed for selfish advantage but are bestowed to show forth His glory in smaller as well as larger matters, praising Him for choosing them to reveal the greatness of His gift. Christ has a place for all sanctified ability, first bestowing the gift and then power to improve it for advancing His cause rather than for selfish interest, through daily surrender of self, use of every capability with unselfish love, cheerful and willing bearing of the cross of self-denial, and times apart to rest and commune with God to learn to work to His greatest glory. Great grace with wisdom and judgment and skill is imparted to one who so works, to be given back in willing service by one who feels greatly honored to have a part assigned, offering faithful service from love and reverence while guided by the unseen Leader.
Ability for the most skillful work is given by the Lord to men already having qualifications of character, not left to their own human wisdom, because the work is a special representation of the exalted character of His service and of the sacredness of the human temple, so artisans have no cause to become exalted because of skill and aptitude. The wilderness tabernacle was directed and designed by God, who Himself educated the workmen, and they put heart and soul and strength and skill into demanding physical labor for His honor, with the sturdy mechanic taxing muscle and sinew, as an expression of love to Him. The same Lord who gave skill and understanding in all manner of cunning work for the tabernacle now teaches many minds in many localities how to combine local natural products, fruits and seeds and grains and roots, properly prepared into wholesome foods, with skill and ingenuity to be shared freely, especially with the poor and those who cannot purchase manufactured health foods. He directly supplies practical skill and intelligence for manual work, giving helpers manufacturing health foods tact and intelligence to do the right kind of work in building up the tabernacle of the body when they are controlled by the Holy Spirit.