Exodus 31:8

_AND THE TABLE AND HIS FURNITURE, AND THE PURE CANDLESTICK WITH ALL HIS FURNITURE, AND THE ALTAR OF INCENSE,_ AND HIS FURNITURE. By an error of transcribers the word х_ KOL_ (H3605)], "all," appears to have been omitted, because of the following х_ KEELIY_ (H3627)] vessels, furniture. The Septuagint, Syrian, Arabic, and Samaritan have the omitted word (Davidson's 'Lectures,' p. 199)....

1-11 The Israelites, who had been masons and bricklayers in Egypt, were not qualified for curious workmanship; but the Spirit who gave the apostles utterance in divers tongues, miraculously gave Bezaleel and Aholiab the skill that was wanting. The honour which comes from God, is always attended with a work to be done; to be employed for God is high honour. Those whom God calls to any service, he will find or make fit for it. The Lord gives different gifts to different persons; let each mind his proper work, diligently remembering that whatever wisdom any one possesses, the Lord put it in the heart, to do his commandments....

Verse Exodus 31:8. _THE PURE CANDLESTICK_] Called so either because of the _pure gold_ of which it was made, or the _brightness_ and _splendour_ of its _workmanship_, or of the _light_ which it imparted in the tabernacle, as the _purest, finest_ oil was always burnt in it....

Exodus 35:30. This solemn call of Bezaleel and Aholiab is full of instruction. Their work was to be only that of handicraftsmen. Still it was Yahweh Himself who called them by name to their tasks, and the powers which they were now called upon to exercise in their respective crafts, were declared to have been given them by the Holy Spirit. Thus is every effort of skill, every sort of well-ordered labor, when directed to a right end, brought into the very highest sphere of association. There appears to be sufficient reason for identifying Hur, the grandfather of Bezaleel, with the Hur who assisted Aaron in supporting the hands of Moses during the battle with Amalek at Rephidim Exodus 17:10, and who was associated with Aaron in the charge of the peo

EXPOSITION THE CALL OF BEZALEEL AND AHOLIAB. The directions for the construction of the tabernacle and its furniture being now complete, and the composition of the holy oil and the holy incense having been laid down minutely, it only remained to designate the persons to whom the oversight of the work was to be especially entrusted. These were to be two—Bezaleel, of the tribe of Judah, as head and chief; Aholiab, of the tribe of Dan, as his assistant. There can be no doubt that they were selected, primarily, as already possessing superior artistic powers and acquirements; but in appointing them God promised an infusion of special wisdom and knowledge, so that they were at once naturally and supernaturally fitted for their task. It is important to note that artistic ability is thus distinctly recognised as being quite as much a gift of God as any other, and inde

AND THE TABLE AND HIS FURNITURE,.... The shewbread table, with its dishes, spoons, and bowls, Exodus 25:23 AND THE PURE CANDLESTICK WITH ALL HIS FURNITURE; called "pure", because made of pure gold, and was to be kept pure and clean by the priests, and in which pure oil olive was burnt, and gave a clear light; its furniture were its lamps, tongs, and snuff dishes, Exodus 25:31 AND THE ALTAR OF INCENSE: made of shittim wood covered with gold, Exodus 30:1....

CHAPTER 31 THE WORKMEN AND THE SABBATH _ 1. The workmen called (Exodus 31:1)_ 2. The Sabbath law emphasized (Exodus 31:12) 3. Moses receives the tables of stone (Exodus 31:18) The call of the builders of the tabernacle follows the instructions. The plan and worship of the tabernacle was by divine appointment, only God could give such a plan foreshadowing the redemption work of His Son. To carry out this plan, the Lord called His own workmen by name and filled them with His Spirit, so that they could do the work in a manner which would please Him. “I have called; I have given; I have filled” are the words of Jehovah showing that He selected and qualified the two men to undertake the work. The

These two Chapter s form an appendix to Exodus 25-29. The golden incense altar finds no place in Exodus 25 or Exodus 26:33 or Leviticus 16 (where the annual rite of Exodus 30:10 is ignored). Instead we hear of censers in Leviticus 16:12 and Numbers 16:6 f., while the great altar in the court is called the altar, as if no other were recognised. Similarly Exodus 30:30, requiring the unction of Aaron's sons, betrays itself as later than the series of passages in which the High Priest alone receives it, being often indeed called the anointed priest. Hence these

Enumeration of the articles to be made (see chs. 25 28, 30)....

THE PURE CANDLESTICK— According to Le Clerc and Houbigant, this should be _the bright candlestick,_ or _the candlestick of light._...