Exodus 31:1-15 NKJV
31 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, 5 in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.
6 “And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you: 7 the tabernacle of meeting, the ark of the Testimony and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furniture of the tabernacle— 8 the table and its utensils, the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, the altar of incense, 9 the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the laver and its base— 10 the garments of ministry, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, to minister as priests, 11 and the anointing oil and sweet incense for the holy place. According to all that I have commanded you they shall do.”
12 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 13 “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you. 14 You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people. 15 Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
Bezalel and Aholiab are described in the first part of today’s reading as master craftsmen endowed with the Spirit and wisdom of God who possessed a divine understanding and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship. Their role was crucial during the Israelites’ journey in the wilderness, as they were responsible for creating the Ark of the Covenant, the table for the showbread, the lampstand, and other sacred items. Their work reflects the importance of artistry and skill in worship and the construction of sacred spaces in ancient Israelite culture. That God specifically called and appointed these men to do His Work is an important distinction. They were, in the truest sense of the word, inspired to do their work, which was really God’s work. God had not only chosen and appointed them, but He is the One who gave them these extraordinary gifts.
We thank God today for the many artisans and craftsmen who design and build places of worship and sacred appointments to be used in the Divine Service. Even though musicians are not mentioned in today’s reading, they, too, can be gifted and inspired by God to serve in the Church.
In the latter part of the reading God instructs His people to keep the Sabbath Day, as He did in Exodus 20 in the original giving of the Ten Commandments. And we know that this means, according to Luther, that we “should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.” So, it’s not so much about what day is kept as it is the hearing and receiving of God’s Word and Sacraments in the context of the Divine Service. Here is where we receive Jesus in all the ways He wants us to have Him – in His Gospel rightly preached (which basically is Christ died for your sins) and His Sacraments rightly administered for forgiveness, life, salvation, and to keep you ion the one true faith.
Let us pray: O God, you have commanded us to remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Grant that we may fear and love You so that we do not despise preaching and your Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.