Exodus 31

Ex 31:1-18.

BEZALEEL AND

AHOLIAB.

2. See, I have called--Though the instructions about the

tabernacle were privately communicated to Moses, it was plainly

impossible that he could superintend the work in person, amid the

multiplicity of his other duties. A head director or builder was

selected by God Himself; and the nomination by such high authority

removed all ground of jealousy or discontent on the part of any who

might have thought their merits overlooked (compare

Mt 18:1).

God"; and, as called to discharge a duty of great magnitude--to execute

a confidential trust in the ancient Church of God, he has his family

and lineage recorded with marked distinction. He belonged to the tribe

of Judah, which, doubtless for wise and weighty reasons, God all along

delighted to honor; and he was the grandson of Hur, a pious patriot

(Ex 17:12),

who was associated, by a special commission, with Aaron in the

government of the people during the absence of Moses. Moreover, it may

be noticed that a Jewish tradition affirms Hur to be the husband of

Miriam; and if this tradition may be relied on, it affords an

additional reason for the appointment of Bezaleel emanating from the

direct authority of God.

3-5. I have filled him with the spirit of God--It is probable

that he was naturally endowed with a mechanical genius, and had

acquired in Egypt great knowledge and skill in the useful, as well as

liberal, arts so as to be a first-class artisan, competent to take

charge of both the plain and ornamental work, which the building of the

sacred edifice required. When God has any special work to be

accomplished, He always raises up instruments capable of doing it; and

it is likely that He had given to the son of Uri that strong natural

aptitude and those opportunities of gaining mechanical skill, with an

ultimate view to this responsible office. Notwithstanding that his

grand duty was to conform with scrupulous fidelity to the pattern

furnished, there was still plenty of room for inventive talent and

tasteful exactness in the execution; and his natural and acquired gifts

were enlarged and invigorated for the important work.

6. I have given with him Aholiab--He belonged to the tribe of

Dan, one of the least influential and honorable in Israel; and here,

too, we can trace the evidence of wise and paternal design, in choosing

the colleague or assistant of Bezaleel from an inferior tribe (compare

1Co 12:14-25;

also Mr 6:7).

all that are wise-hearted I have put wisdom--At that period,

when one spirit pervaded all Israel, it was not the man full of

heavenly genius who presided over the work; but all who contributed

their skill, experience, and labor, in rendering the smallest

assistance, showed their piety and devotedness to the divine service.

In like manner, it was at the commencement of the Christian Church

(Ac 6:5; 18:2).

12-17. Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep--The reason for the

fresh inculcation of the fourth commandment at this particular period

was, that the great ardor and eagerness, with which all classes betook

themselves to the construction of the tabernacle, exposed them to the

temptation of encroaching on the sanctity of the appointed day of rest.

They might suppose that the erection of the tabernacle was a sacred

work, and that it would be a high merit, an acceptable tribute, to

prosecute the undertaking without the interruption of a day's repose;

and therefore the caution here given, at the commencement of the

undertaking, was a seasonable admonition.

18. tables of stone, written with the finger of God--containing

the ten commandments

(Ex 24:12),

called "tables of testimony," because God testified His will in

them.