Exodus 31:1-11

The Lord spoke to Moses: See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: and I have filled him with divine spirit,with ability, intelligence, and knowledge in every kind of craft, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, in every kind of craft.¹ Moreover, I have appointed with him Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have given skill to all the skilful,² so that they may make all that I have commanded you: the tent of meeting, and the ark of the covenant, and the mercy-seat that is on it, and all the furnishings of the tent, the table and its utensils, and the pure lampstand with all its utensils, and the altar of incense, and the altar of burnt-offering with all its utensils, and the basin with its stand, and the finely worked vestments, the holy vestments for the priest Aaron and the vestments of his sons, for their service as priests, and the anointing-oil and the fragrant incense for the holy place.³ They shall do just as I have commanded you.⁴

1 Fascinating – the ability to do artwork and crafts is in this case a “calling” from God that comes from being filled with the divine spirit.

2 In this circumstance, at least, all of the skills of the skillful are attributed to God.

3 God ensures the Israelites that He has not only given them the instructions by which to do these things, but also the means with which to do them.

4 Yet again, the need for obedience is stressed.

Take-home: God has given the Israelites direct instruction for what to build, but has also filled those who are to complete the task with his spirit, so that they do not fear that they are unable to complete the tasks which he has commanded.