Exodus 31:1-11
Introduction:
1. Few Bible students could match these two names to their given tasks in a test question.
2. Yet their contributions to the Old Covenant system of worship were critical.
Discussion:
I. Who They Were (31:1-2, 6)
A. All we know of Bezalel is he was the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.
B. All we know of Aholiab is he was the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.
C. The Lord mentioned nothing else about their backgrounds, only their work.
II. What They Did (31:3-11; Exodus 36-38)
A. They, along with the other craftsmen God commissioned built and furnished the tabernacle with its required implements of worship.
B. This included the tabernacle itself, the ark of the Testimony, the mercy seat, the table of shewbread, the golden lampstand, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering with its utensils, the laver and its base, the priestly garments, etc.
III. How Important Was It?
A. Worshipping as we do under a system with few required physical implements (Bibles, bread, fruit of the vine, etc.) obscures to us how critical this work was.
B. The many sacrifices they were bound to offer required this structure with all the elements named to worship God faithfully and seek atonement (cf. Leviticus 1-9; 16, etc.).
C. Because of the sacred meaning of these practices, everything had to be made “…according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain” (Exodus 25:40).
D. The way in which God commissioned these two men to lead the construction effort speaks of the tremendous significance of their work (31:2-6):
1. God called Bezalel by name, and he was the first person recorded as being filled with the Spirit of God in the Bible (31:2-3).
2. Aholiab was appointed with him, and God filled them along with all the craftsmen with wisdom to know how to construct the tabernacle and its furnishings.
Conclusion:
1. The priests and Levites get all the attention when it comes to Old Covenant worship, but without Bezalel and Aholiab, such worship could not have been offered.
2. Though little is said of these two men, but the work they did was crucial; so is yours.