XXXI. THE APPOINTMENT OF BEZALEEL AND AHOLIAB. (1-11) The instructions needed for the making of the tabernacle, its furniture, and the priests’ dresses, were now complete. Moses was sufficiently informed, by what he had heard and seen, both as to the “Tent of Meeting” itself, and as to all its appur... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE CALLED BY NAME. — It is a high honour to be called of God _by name._ He thus calls only those whom He appoints to some great work, as Moses (Exodus 3:4; Exodus 33:12), Samuel (1 Samuel 3:10), and Cyrus (Isaiah 45:3). BEZALEEL THE SON OF URI, THE SON OF HUR. — Hur, the grandfather of Bezaleel,... [ Continue Reading ]
(3-4) I HAVE FILLED HIM WITH THE SPIRIT OF GOD... TO DEVISE CUNNING WORKS. — “Every good gift and every perfect gift (intellectual power no less than others) is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17). Artistic ability is a Divine gift, a very precious gift, best employed... [ Continue Reading ]
(4-5) CUNNING WORKS... IN GOLD, AND IN SILVER, AND IN BRASS, AND IN CUTTING OF STONES ... — It is a characteristic of early art that it eschews specialism, and it is as nearly universal as possible. Theodore of Samos (ab. B.C. 600-560) was an architect, a worker in bronze, and an engraver of hard s... [ Continue Reading ]
AHOLIAB, THE SON OF AHISAMACH. — It has been observed above (see the first Note on the chapter) that Bezaleel’s work was general, Aholiab’s, special. Our version, indeed, styles the latter “an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer” (Exodus 38:23), from which it might be supposed that,... [ Continue Reading ]
(7-11) The enumeration of the holy objects follows the order of the instructions given concerning them (Exodus 25-30), except that the tabernacle itself is placed first, and the altar of incense mentioned in its natural position, together with the table OF shewbread and the golden candlestick (Exodu... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CLOTHS OF SERVICE. — Modern critics generally suppose the state robes of the high priest to be meant (Keil, Knobel, De Wette, Kalisch, Cook); but the Rabbinical interpreters understand the cloths in which the ark and other vessels of the sanctuary were wrapped when the camp was moved from place... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LAW OF THE SABBATH DECLARED ANEW UNDER A PENAL SANCTION. (12-17) The worship of the tabernacle was so closely connected with Sabbatical observance (Leviticus 19:30), that no surprise can be felt at a recurrence to the subject in the present place. It was not only that there might be a danger of... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS A SIGN BETWEEN ME AND YOU. — Circumcision had been given as a covenant sign to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 17:9); but its adoption by many of the heathen nations had rendered it no longer a distinguishing mark by which God’s people could be certainly known from others. Thus a new “sig... [ Continue Reading ]
EVERY ONE THAT DEFILETH IT SHALL SURELY BE PUT TO DEATH. — This is a new enactment, and must be regarded in conjunction with the new dignity attached to Sabbath observance by its having become the special covenant sign between God and His people. The Sabbath-breaker now threw himself out of covenant... [ Continue Reading ]
SIX DAYS. — Comp. Exodus 20:9. THE SABBATH OF REST. — Rather, _a sabbath of rest,_ or _a complete rest._ The repetition (_sabbath sabbâthôn_) gives an idea of completeness.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IN SIX DAYS THE LORD MADE HEAVEN AND EARTH. — Whatever other grounds there were for Sabbath observance, this idea always lay at its root. Man was through it to be made like unto his Maker — to have from time to time a rest from his labours, as God had had (Genesis 2:2) — and thereby to realise t... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TWO TABLES GIVEN. (18) The termination and crown of the entire conference which Moses had held with God on Mount Sinai for forty days and forty nights (Exodus 24:18) was the committal to his hands of the two tables of testimony which had been promised before the ascent into the mount was made (E... [ Continue Reading ]