Exodus 36:1
"So Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skilled person are to carry out everything commanded by the LORD, who has given them skill and ability to know how to perform all the work of constructing the sanctuary."
“So Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skilled person

Bezalel of Judah and Oholiab of Dan led the craftsmen appointed for the Tabernacle, showing that the work involved men from across Israel. Others joined them according to the abilities God had provided.

Exo 31:1-6 Then the LORD said to Moses,…
Exo 35:30-31 Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the LORD has…
Exo 28:3 You are to instruct all the skilled craftsmen,…

are to carry out everything commanded by the LORD,

The Tabernacle was built according to the pattern God gave Moses, not according to the craftsmen’s own designs. Their responsibility was faithful execution of every instruction.

Exo 39:42-43 The Israelites had done all the work just as the LORD…
Exo 40:16 Moses did everything just as the LORD had commanded him.
Deu 12:32 See that you do everything I command you;…

who has given them skill and ability

Their artistic and practical abilities came from God, who prepared them for the particular demands of the work.

Exo 35:32-35 to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze,…
2Ch 2:13-14 So now I am sending you Huram-abi, a skillful man…
1Ki 7:13-14 Now King Solomon sent to bring Huram from Tyre.…

to know how to perform all the work

They possessed both craftsmanship and the wisdom necessary to complete the varied tasks of weaving, carving, metalwork, and construction.

Exo 35:10-11 Let every skilled craftsman among you come and make…
2Ch 2:7-8 Send me, therefore, a craftsman skilled in engraving…
1Ch 28:11-12 Then David gave his son Solomon the plans…

of constructing the sanctuary.”

The sanctuary was Israel’s appointed place of worship, where the Lord would dwell among His covenant people and where sacrifices would be offered according to His command.

Exo 25:8-9 And they are to make a sanctuary for Me,…
Exo 26:30 So you are to set up the tabernacle according to the pattern…
Heb 8:5 The place where they serve is a copy and shadow…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Bezalel
A skilled craftsman chosen by God to oversee the construction of the Tabernacle. His name means "in the shadow of God," indicating divine protection and guidance.

2. Oholiab
An assistant to Bezalel, also endowed with skills for the work of the Tabernacle. His name means "father's tent," which is fitting given his role in constructing the dwelling place of God.

3. Skilled Persons
Individuals endowed by God with the necessary skills and understanding to contribute to the construction of the sanctuary. This highlights the communal effort and divine gifting involved in the project.

4. The LORD
The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who commands and empowers the work of the Tabernacle, ensuring it is done according to His specifications.

5. The Sanctuary
The Tabernacle, a portable earthly dwelling place for God among the Israelites, symbolizing His presence and holiness.
Teaching Points
Divine Empowerment for Service
God equips His people with the necessary skills and understanding to fulfill His purposes. Just as Bezalel and Oholiab were given specific talents, believers today are endowed with spiritual gifts to serve the body of Christ.

Obedience to God's Command
The work on the Tabernacle was to be done "just as the LORD has commanded." This underscores the importance of adhering to God's instructions in our service and ministry.

Community in Ministry
The construction of the Tabernacle was a communal effort involving many skilled individuals. This reflects the body of Christ, where each member contributes their unique gifts for the edification of the whole.

The Presence of God
The Tabernacle was a physical representation of God's presence among His people. Today, believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit, called to live in a way that reflects His presence in our lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the example of Bezalel and Oholiab encourage you to use your skills and talents for God's purposes?

2. In what ways can you ensure that your work and service align with God's commands, as seen in the construction of the Tabernacle?

3. How can you identify and develop the spiritual gifts God has given you, similar to how Bezalel and Oholiab were equipped for their tasks?

4. What role does community play in your spiritual life and ministry, and how can you contribute to the body of Christ with your unique skills?

5. How does understanding that you are a temple of the Holy Spirit impact the way you live and serve God daily?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 31:1-6
This passage provides the initial calling and equipping of Bezalel and Oholiab, emphasizing God's role in providing the necessary skills for His work.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11
This New Testament passage discusses spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit, drawing a parallel to the skills given to Bezalel and Oholiab for the work of the Tabernacle.

Ephesians 2:10
This verse speaks of believers being created for good works, which God prepared in advance, similar to how God prepared Bezalel and Oholiab for their tasks.
Consecrated ArtExodus 36:1-38
False Estimates of Church-WorkersJ. Halsey.Exodus 36:1-38
Indolence in the ChurchJ. Halsey.Exodus 36:1-38
The Work Fails not Either for Gifts or SkillJ. Urquhart Exodus 36:1-38
People
Aholiab, Bezaleel, Israelites, Moses
Places
Sinai
Topics
Ability, Able, Accordance, Aholiab, Bezaleel, Bezalel, Bez'alel, Carry, Commanded, Constructing, Construction, Hearted, Holy, Intelligence, Manner, Necessary, Oholiab, Oho'liab, Ordering, Orders, Perform, Sanctuary, Service, Skill, Skilled, Skillful, Understanding, Whatever, Wisdom, Wise, Wise-hearted, Wrought
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 36:1

     5240   building
     7438   sanctuary
     8365   wisdom, human

Exodus 36:1-2

     5273   creativity
     5531   skill
     5853   experience, of life
     7459   tabernacle, in OT
     8437   giving, of talents

Library
Appendix xvii. The Ordinances and Law of the Sabbath as Laid Down in the Mishnah and the Jerusalem Talmud.
The terribly exaggerated views of the Rabbis, and their endless, burdensome rules about the Sabbath may best be learned from a brief analysis of the Mishnah, as further explained and enlarged in the Jerusalem Talmud. [6476] For this purpose a brief analysis of what is, confessedly, one of the most difficult tractates may here be given. The Mishnic tractate Sabbath stands at the head of twelve tractates which together from the second of the six sections into which the Mishnah is divided, and which
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in the Soul.
Titus iii. 5, 6. Titus iii. 5, 6. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. IF my business were to explain and illustrate this scripture at large, it would yield an ample field for accurate criticism and useful discourse, and more especially would lead us into a variety of practical remarks, on which it would be pleasant
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

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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