Exodus 31:1
Then the LORD said to Moses,
Then
The word "Then" serves as a transitional term, indicating a continuation of the narrative. It connects the preceding instructions regarding the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings to the specific appointment of individuals who will carry out this divine task. This transition underscores the orderly and purposeful nature of God's plan, emphasizing that each step in the process is divinely orchestrated.

the LORD
The term "the LORD" is a translation of the Hebrew name "YHWH" (Yahweh), which is the covenant name of God revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). This name signifies God's eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His promises. In the context of Exodus, it highlights God's personal involvement and authority in the establishment of the Tabernacle, a dwelling place for His presence among His people.

said
The word "said" indicates direct communication from God to Moses. This divine speech is a hallmark of the relationship between God and His chosen leader, Moses. It reflects the unique role Moses plays as a mediator between God and the Israelites. The use of direct speech also emphasizes the importance and sacredness of the instructions being given, as they come directly from the mouth of God.

to Moses
Moses is the central human figure in the book of Exodus, chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and to receive the Law on Mount Sinai. His name, meaning "drawn out" in Hebrew, is symbolic of his role in drawing the Israelites out of slavery. In this verse, Moses is once again the recipient of God's instructions, highlighting his continued leadership and the trust God places in him to carry out His divine will. Moses' relationship with God is characterized by intimacy and obedience, serving as a model for faithful leadership.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and faithfulness. In this context, He is the divine initiator of the instructions given to Moses.

2. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and to receive the Law on Mount Sinai. Moses acts as the mediator between God and the Israelites.

3. Mount Sinai
Although not mentioned directly in this verse, it is the location where God communicates with Moses, providing the context for this divine instruction.
Teaching Points
Divine Communication
God speaks to His chosen leaders to guide His people. This emphasizes the importance of listening to God's voice and being obedient to His instructions.

Leadership and Responsibility
Moses' role as a leader underscores the responsibility of those in leadership to faithfully convey God's commands to His people.

God's Sovereignty
The LORD's initiative in speaking to Moses highlights His sovereign control and purpose in guiding His people according to His divine plan.

Preparation for Service
Just as God prepared Moses for leadership, He prepares us for the tasks He calls us to, equipping us with the necessary skills and wisdom.

Faithfulness in Small Things
Moses' faithfulness in receiving and delivering God's instructions serves as a model for being faithful in the tasks God entrusts to us, no matter how small they may seem.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the way God communicates with Moses in Exodus 31:1 reflect His relationship with His people throughout the Bible?

2. In what ways can we discern God's voice in our lives today, and how can we ensure we are obedient to His instructions?

3. How does Moses' leadership role in this passage inform our understanding of spiritual leadership within the church?

4. What parallels can we draw between the preparation of Moses for his tasks and the way God prepares us for our own callings?

5. How can we apply the principle of faithfulness in small things, as demonstrated by Moses, to our daily walk with God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 24:12
This verse connects to the broader account of Moses receiving the Law and instructions from God on Mount Sinai, highlighting the continuity of divine revelation.

Exodus 35:30-35
These verses further elaborate on the instructions given to Moses, specifically regarding the appointment of Bezalel and Oholiab for the construction of the Tabernacle, showing the practical outworking of God's commands.

Hebrews 3:1-6
This New Testament passage draws a parallel between Moses and Jesus, emphasizing Moses' faithfulness in God's house, which is a foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate faithfulness.
The Flood-Tide of PowerS.D. GordonExodus 31:1
Bezaleel and AholiabJ. Orr Exodus 31:1-12
People
Aaron, Ahisamach, Aholiab, Bezaleel, Dan, Hur, Israelites, Moses, Uri
Places
Mount Sinai
Topics
Saying, Spake, Speaketh, Spoke
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 31:1-5

     3266   Holy Spirit, in creation
     3275   Holy Spirit, in the church
     4552   wood
     5028   knowledge, God source of human
     5212   arts and crafts

Exodus 31:1-6

     4312   bronze
     4345   metalworkers
     5273   creativity
     5531   skill
     5629   work, ordained by God
     7459   tabernacle, in OT
     8422   equipping, spiritual

Exodus 31:1-7

     7306   ark of the covenant

Exodus 31:1-11

     5272   craftsmen

Library
The Flood-Tide of Power.
God's Highest Ideal. A flood-tide is a rising tide. It flows in and fills up and spreads out. Wherever it goes it cleanses and fertilizes and beautifies. For untold centuries Egypt has depended for its very life upon the yearly flood-tide of the Nile. The rich bottom lands of the Connecticut Valley are refertilized every spring by that river's flood-tide. The green beauty and rich fruitage of some parts of the Sacramento Valley, whose soil is flooded by the artificial irrigation-rivers, are in sharp
S.D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on Power

The True Manner of Keeping Holy the Lord's Day.
Now the sanctifying of the Sabbath consists in two things--First, In resting from all servile and common business pertaining to our natural life; Secondly, In consecrating that rest wholly to the service of God, and the use of those holy means which belong to our spiritual life. For the First. 1. The servile and common works from which we are to cease are, generally, all civil works, from the least to the greatest (Exod. xxxi. 12, 13, 15, &c.) More particularly-- First, From all the works of our
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Appendix viii. Rabbinic Traditions About Elijah, the Forerunner of the Messiah
To complete the evidence, presented in the text, as to the essential difference between the teaching of the ancient Synagogue about the Forerunner of the Messiah' and the history and mission of John the Baptist, as described in the New Testaments, we subjoin a full, though condensed, account of the earlier Rabbinic traditions about Elijah. Opinions differ as to the descent and birthplace of Elijah. According to some, he was from the land of Gilead (Bemid. R. 14), and of the tribe of Gad (Tanch. on
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Gifts and Talents.
"And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him."--Judges iii. 10. We now consider the Holy Spirit's work in bestowing gifts, talents, and abilities upon artisans and professional men. Scripture declares that the special animation and qualification of persons for work assigned to them by God proceed from the Holy Spirit. The construction of the tabernacle required capable workmen, skilful carpenters, goldsmiths, and silversmiths, and masters in the arts of weaving and embroidering. Who will furnish Moses
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Thy Name: My Name
'I have called thee by thy name.'--ISAIAH xliii. 1. 'Every one that is called by My name.'--ISAIAH xliii. 7. Great stress is laid on names in Scripture. These two parallel and antithetic clauses bring out striking complementary relations between God and the collective Israel. But they are as applicable to each individual member of the true Israel of God. I. What does God's calling a man by his name imply? 1. Intimate knowledge. Adam naming the creatures. Christ naming His disciples. 2. Loving friendship.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Work of the Holy Spirit in Prophets and Apostles.
The work of the Holy Spirit in apostles and prophets is an entirely distinctive work. He imparts to apostles and prophets an especial gift for an especial purpose. We read in 1 Cor. xii. 4, 8-11, 28, 29, R. V., "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.... For to one is given through the Spirit wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit; and to another workings
R. A. Torrey—The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit

Hiram, the Inspired Artificer
BY REV. W. J. TOWNSEND, D.D. The Temple of Solomon was the crown of art in the old world. There were temples on a larger scale, and of more massive construction, but the enormous masses of masonry of the oldest nations were not comparable with the artistic grace, the luxurious adornments, and the harmonious proportions of this glorious House of God. David had laid up money and material for the great work, but he was not permitted to carry it out. He was a man of war, and blood-stained hands were
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

That Whereas the City of Jerusalem had Been Five Times Taken Formerly, this was the Second Time of Its Desolation. A Brief Account of Its History.
1. And thus was Jerusalem taken, in the second year of the reign of Vespasian, on the eighth day of the month Gorpeius [Elul]. It had been taken five [34] times before, though this was the second time of its desolation; for Shishak, the king of Egypt, and after him Antiochus, and after him Pompey, and after them Sosius and Herod, took the city, but still preserved it; but before all these, the king of Babylon conquered it, and made it desolate, one thousand four hundred and sixty-eight years and
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem

Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath.
AND PROOF, THAT THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'The Son of man is lord also of the Sabbath day.' London: Printed for Nath, Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1685. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. All our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally, solemnly, prayerful. To 'prove all things,' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good,' is a precept, equally binding upon the clown, as it is upon the philosopher. Satisfied from our observations
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Development of the Earlier Old Testament Laws
[Sidenote: First the principle, and then the detailed laws] If the canon of the New Testament had remained open as long as did that of the Old, there is little doubt that it also would have contained many laws, legal precedents, and ecclesiastical histories. From the writings of the Church Fathers and the records of the Catholic Church it is possible to conjecture what these in general would have been. The early history of Christianity illustrates the universal fact that the broad principles are
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

The Preface to the Commandments
And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God,' &c. Exod 20: 1, 2. What is the preface to the Ten Commandments? The preface to the Ten Commandments is, I am the Lord thy God.' The preface to the preface is, God spake all these words, saying,' &c. This is like the sounding of a trumpet before a solemn proclamation. Other parts of the Bible are said to be uttered by the mouth of the holy prophets (Luke 1: 70), but here God spake in his own person. How are we to understand that, God spake,
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Exposition of the Moral Law.
1. The Law was committed to writing, in order that it might teach more fully and perfectly that knowledge, both of God and of ourselves, which the law of nature teaches meagrely and obscurely. Proof of this, from an enumeration of the principal parts of the Moral Law; and also from the dictate of natural law, written on the hearts of all, and, in a manner, effaced by sin. 2. Certain general maxims. 1. From the knowledge of God, furnished by the Law, we learn that God is our Father and Ruler. Righteousness
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act.
(at Feast-Time at Jerusalem, Probably the Passover.) ^D John V. 1-47. ^d 1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [Though every feast in the Jewish calendar has found some one to advocate its claim to be this unnamed feast, yet the vast majority of commentators choose either the feast of Purim, which came in March, or the Passover, which came in April. Older commentators pretty unanimously regarded it as the Passover, while the later school favor the feast
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Blasphemous Accusations of the Jews.
(Galilee.) ^A Matt. XII. 22-37; ^B Mark III. 19-30; ^C Luke XI. 14-23. ^b 19 And he cometh into a house. [Whose house is not stated.] 20 And the multitude cometh together again [as on a previous occasion--Mark ii. 1], so that they could not so much as eat bread. [They could not sit down to a regular meal. A wonderful picture of the intense importunity of people and the corresponding eagerness of Jesus, who was as willing to do as they were to have done.] 21 And when his friends heard it, they went
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Of the Trinity and a Christian, and of the Law and a Christian.
EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. These two short treatises were found among Mr. Bunyan's papers after his decease. They probably were intended for publication, like his 'Prison Meditations' and his 'Map of Salvation,' on a single page each, in the form of a broadside, or handbill. This was the popular mode in which tracts were distributed; and when posted against a wall, or framed and hung up in a room, they excited notice, and were extensively read. They might also have afforded some trifling profit to aid
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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