Exodus 31:1-5

The Appointment of the Men for The Task Of Producing All That Has Been Described (Exodus 31:1).

The list of what demonstrates men's responsive loyalty and concern is now added to in terms of those who are chosen for the supremely important work of producing the Tent of Meeting and the sacred furniture.

The Appointment of Bezalel (Exodus 31:1).

• Yahweh has called Bezalel the son of Uri the son of Hur of the tribe of Judah, and has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, and knowledge and all manner of workmanship (Exodus 31:1).

• To devise cunning works, to work in gold and silver and brazen copper, and in cutting stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all manner of workmanship (Exodus 31:5).

Notice how the two statements are balanced by ‘in all manner of workmanship'.

Exodus 31:1

‘And Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, “See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge and in all manner of workmanship, to devise intricate (cunning) workmanship, to work in gold, and in silver and in bronze, and in cutting of stones for setting, and in cutting of wood, to work in all manner of workmanship.”

It is easy to misrepresent what is said here. This does not say that all artistic gifts are the result of the work of the Spirit in men, for they patently are not. What it does say is that God can take those with artistic gifts and by His Spirit enable them to produce even greater works for His name.

Bezalel (meaning ‘in the shadow of God') was to be put in charge of the construction of the Dwellingplace and its furniture. He was from the tribe of Judah and his ancestor Hur may well have been the one who was a prime assistant of Moses (Exodus 17:10; Exodus 17:12; Exodus 24:14). Only his father and his prominent ancestors are mentioned. He was a man whose artistic ability was well known.

But Yahweh has ‘called him by name'. This is said of few (e.g. Moses (3:4; 33:12, 17); Cyrus (Isaiah 45:3); the Servant (Isaiah 49:1)) He is personally called to a vital ministry. And he has been carefully prepared for this special task and has now been endued by God's Spirit in order to carry it through. Just as God created the world through His Spirit (Genesis 1:2), so He establishes His Dwellingplace by His Spirit.

“ In wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge.” He has been given all the attributes of wisdom, understanding and knowledge. We may see this as signifying, by wisdom the power to invent and originate and work wisely, by understanding the ability to receive and take in all guidance from God and all His directions, and by knowledge the expertise necessary for the task. This is then expanded to include all manner of workmanship, including intricate work, metal work, jewellery work, and woodwork. As usual when the need arises God has His man especially prepared.