Exodus 31:1 - Meaning and Application

God had ordered a great deal of careful work for the tabernacle, and the people were to supply the materials. But who would shape all of it? Moses knew the learning of Egypt, and he knew the words and visions God had given him, but he was not trained to engrave or embroider. We may think some Israelites were clever and skillful, but they had lived their whole lives as slaves in Egypt, so they were not likely trained in these fine crafts. They knew how to make bricks and work with clay, but not how to handle gold or cut jewels. It would be hard to get the work done with the needed care unless God himself provided the right workers.

God does provide them. He names the people who will do the work, so there would be no quarrel over honor and no jealousy toward those chosen, since God had made the choice. Bezaleel, a man from the tribe of Judah, was appointed as the chief craftsman. He was the grandson of Hur, likely the same Hur who helped hold up Moses’ hands (Exodus 17), and who was also serving with Aaron in leading the people while Moses was away (Exodus 24:14). God gave honor to that family, even though this work was only skilled manual labor, because it was for his tabernacle.

Aholiab, from the tribe of Dan, was appointed next to Bezaleel and made his partner (Exodus 31:6). Two workers are better than one. Christ later sent out his disciples two by two to build the gospel work, and Scripture also speaks of his two witnesses. Dan was one of the less honored tribes, so God gave honor there too. In this way, Judah and Levi would not seem to receive everything, and no part of the body would be left out or despised (1 Corinthians 12:24). Hiram, the chief worker on Solomon’s temple, was also from Dan (2 Chronicles 2:14).

Others were also called to work under these men in the different tasks needed for the tabernacle (Exodus 31:6). When God has work to do, he will never lack people to do it. He sees both hearts and minds, and he can put the right people in place. Anyone who has reason to believe God has called them to a task may go into it boldly, because God will support whom he appoints.

God also gave these workers the skill they needed. He says, “I have filled him with the Spirit of God” (Exodus 31:3), and “I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the wise-hearted” (Exodus 31:6). Skill in ordinary work is also a gift from God. He gives both the ability and the growth of that ability. Even practical wisdom in farming or trade comes from him, and he deserves the praise for it (Job 38:36; Isaiah 28:26).

God gives his gifts in different ways to different people, and he does this for the good of the whole body, both human society and the church. Moses was best suited to govern Israel, but Bezaleel was better suited to build the tabernacle. The different gifts and temperaments of people support the common good. One person is fitted for one kind of service, another for a different kind, and all of it comes from the same Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:11). This should keep us from pride, envy, contempt, and selfish rivalry, and it should strengthen our love for one another.

Those whom God calls to a task, he will either find fit for it or make them fit. If God gives the assignment, he will also give the needed ability, in some measure, according to the work. Here the work was to make the tabernacle and its furnishings, which are listed in the verses that follow (Exodus 31:7). So these men were enabled to work in gold, silver, and bronze.

When Christ sent his apostles to build the gospel tabernacle, he gave them his Spirit so they could speak in languages they had never learned and tell of God’s mighty works. Their work was not on metal, but on people. Their gifts were even greater, because the tabernacle they helped establish was the better and more lasting one, as the apostle says, the “greater and more perfect tabernacle” (Hebrews 9:11).