◄ Exodus 31:4 ►
to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze,
Study Bible
to design
The Hebrew word for "design" is "חשׁב" (chashab), which conveys the idea of devising, planning, or calculating. This word suggests a thoughtful and intentional process, highlighting the divine inspiration and wisdom imparted to Bezalel. In a broader spiritual context, it reflects the creativity endowed by God to humanity, mirroring the Creator's own ingenuity. This divine gift of creativity is not just for practical purposes but also for the expression of beauty and worship.

artistic works
The phrase "artistic works" comes from the Hebrew "מלאכת מחשבת" (melechet machashevet), which can be translated as "works of craftsmanship" or "artistic designs." This indicates not only skill but also the aesthetic and imaginative aspects of the work. In the context of the tabernacle, these artistic works were not merely decorative but served a higher purpose of glorifying God and facilitating worship. The artistry involved in the tabernacle's construction points to the importance of beauty in worship and the way it can elevate the human spirit towards the divine.

in gold, silver, and bronze
The use of "gold, silver, and bronze" signifies the value and significance of the materials chosen for the tabernacle. Gold, often associated with divinity and kingship, represents purity and holiness. Silver, frequently used in the context of redemption, symbolizes the price paid for atonement. Bronze, known for its strength and durability, can symbolize judgment and endurance. The selection of these materials underscores the sacredness of the tabernacle and the meticulous care required in its construction. Historically, these metals were highly prized in ancient cultures, and their use in the tabernacle reflects the offering of the best to God, a principle that resonates with the call for believers to offer their best in service and worship.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Bezalel
A skilled craftsman chosen by God to oversee the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. He was filled with the Spirit of God to perform artistic works.

2. Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the presence of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. It was a central place of worship and sacrifice.

3. Artistic Works
The specific tasks Bezalel was called to perform, involving the design and creation of sacred objects using precious metals.

4. Gold, Silver, and Bronze
Materials used in the construction of the Tabernacle, each symbolizing different aspects of God's holiness and the value of worship.

5. Spirit of God
The divine empowerment given to Bezalel, enabling him to carry out his work with wisdom, understanding, and skill.
Teaching Points
Divine Empowerment for Service
Just as Bezalel was filled with the Spirit to accomplish his tasks, believers today are empowered by the Holy Spirit to serve in various capacities within the body of Christ.

The Value of Creativity in Worship
Artistic expression is a valuable and God-honoring way to worship, reflecting the creativity of our Creator.

Stewardship of Gifts and Talents
We are called to use our God-given skills and resources for His glory, just as Bezalel used his talents for the construction of the Tabernacle.

The Importance of Obedience
Bezalel's work was a direct response to God's command, reminding us of the importance of obedience in our service to God.

Symbolism in Worship
The use of gold, silver, and bronze in the Tabernacle points to the richness and depth of worship, encouraging us to approach God with reverence and awe.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the empowerment of Bezalel by the Spirit of God encourage you in using your own gifts and talents for God's purposes?

2. In what ways can creativity and artistic expression enhance your personal and corporate worship experiences?

3. How can the example of Bezalel's obedience to God's instructions inspire you to be more faithful in your own walk with God?

4. What are some practical ways you can steward your skills and resources for the benefit of your church community?

5. How does understanding the symbolism of materials like gold, silver, and bronze in the Tabernacle deepen your appreciation for the richness of worship?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 1:1-31
The creation account highlights God's role as the ultimate designer and creator, paralleling Bezalel's role in designing the Tabernacle.

1 Kings 7:13-14
Hiram of Tyre, like Bezalel, was filled with wisdom and skill to work on Solomon's Temple, showing a continuity of God empowering artisans for His purposes.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11
The spiritual gifts given to believers, including wisdom and knowledge, reflect the Spirit's empowerment seen in Bezalel's work.
Sermons
Bezaleel and AholiabJ. Orr Exodus 31:1-12
People
Aaron, Ahisamach, Aholiab, Bezaleel, Dan, Hur, Israelites, Moses, Uri
Places
Mount Sinai
Topics
Artistic, Brass, Bronze, Copper, Cunning, Curious, Delicate, Designs, Devices, Devise, Gold, Silver, Skilful, Skillful, Sorts, Works
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 31:1-5

     3266   Holy Spirit, in creation
     4552   wood

Exodus 31:1-6

     4312   bronze
     5273   creativity
     7459   tabernacle, in OT

Exodus 31:1-7

     7306   ark of the covenant

Exodus 31:1-11

     5272   craftsmen

Exodus 31:2-5

     3257   Holy Spirit, gift of

Exodus 31:2-6

     3140   Holy Spirit, teacher
     5894   intelligence
     8365   wisdom, human

Exodus 31:2-11

     6641   election, responsibilities

Exodus 31:3-5

     3272   Holy Spirit, in OT

Exodus 31:3-6

     8437   giving, of talents

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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