August 4, 2024
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in selections from Exodus and Romans? Here’s today’s reading:
Exodus 31 (NIV)
Bezalel and Oholiab
1 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2“See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze,……Continue Reading
God gave wisdom and understanding, and knowledge to be able to work in gold, silver, and brass. They were also able to work with wood in carving, and all manner of workmanship. But God enabled two men with all this wisdom, understanding, and knowledge to oversee the whole project of the Tabernacle and it`s accessories. They were Bezaleel and Aholiah. God gave the people abilities and talents to do the work. Even now in our churches the Lord has given these abilities and talents. Not only that but He has given each believer spiritual gifts to be used in the body of Christ. The Sabbath Day was to be a day of rest after working 6 days. Here it also references the 6 days of creation, and the 7th day as rest for God gave us this example when He created in 6 days and rested on the 7th day. He didn`t need to rest. In the Genesis account it says that whoever works on the sabbath would die. Perhaps to show and reinforce how important it was. We know in the New Testament; Jesus pointed out that the sabbath was made for man; not man for the sabbath. Jesus pointed out that it was fine to do good on the sabbath. For He healed on the sabbath and His disciples picked and ate corn on the sabbath. Sometimes this implied some work. God intended for the sabbath not only as a day of rest but to come before God in worship. Take note in verse 18 that God wrote the Ten Commandments with His own finger and latter after the two tablets were broken God wrote them again. Also in Exodus 32:16 and Exodus 34:1. May the Lord bless you all.
It’s not by might, or by power but by my Spirit says the Lord. Even though God had given very detailed instructions about every facet of the tabernacle and the priest’s clothes, He now empowers people to make things well. What a picture of the reality that the law is not enough, but we need the Spirit to obey. It is good for us too that we have rules to live by and the Spirt within that aids us in the completion of it. And once again God emphasizes the Sabbath day. It is always amazing to me that God commands His people to rest…and yet how often the Israelites and us didn’t/don’t do it. And yet our greatest rest is the rest in our souls as we trust God, as mentioned in Hebrews 4.
Exodus 31
It’s interesting that the emphasis on the sabbath comes directly after all of the instructions of constructing and creating work for the temple. This “work” is important and God says it is equally important to rest from it. The point isn’t a legalistic refraining from making a sandwich, but rather a physical and mental rest from work. The focus is on setting the day apart, keeping it holy, as a sign.
Does the nation of Israel still keep the Sabbath, or is it a business day like every other day I wonder?
”Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’ ”“
Exodus 31:16-17 NKJV
God wants us to rest. To stop and have time to focus on Him, focus on what is really important. It is funny to see this word running and running, chasing our tails keeping busy, and then we wonder why we are anxious and worry and our health is not good. God has designed us to stop and take a deliberate time of rest, something we seldom do, because it is vital for our reconnection with Him and a rememberance to be grateful for all He has done away from distractions.
Exodus 31
Exodus. 31