Slices
Prepare
Be open to God’s Spirit through his Word today.
Bible passage
Bezalel and Oholiab
31 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 ‘See I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills – 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. 6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you: 7 the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent – 8 the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, 9 the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand – 10 and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, 11 and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you.’
The Sabbath
12 Then the Lord said to Moses, 13 ‘Say to the Israelites, “You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so that you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.
14 ‘“Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people. 15 For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death. 16 The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. 17 It will be a sign between me and the Israelites for ever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.”’
18 When the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the covenant law, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.
Explore
Today’s passage is a wonderful reminder that it is God who gives people abilities, skills, knowledge, intelligence, craftmanship, artistry and design instincts (vs 2,3). So why do we often compare ourselves to others, trying to be like them or condemning ourselves because we can’t do what they do? That futility is shown in the light of these verses. God made you to be you, and me to be me. He has a different purpose and calling for each of us. Your name may not be Oholiab Smith or Bezalel Jones (you’re probably grateful for that), but your work, service, skills and abilities all matter and are important to God.
Immediately after focusing on work, we move to thinking about rest (vs 12–16). Once again, Exodus shocks as we read of God’s instruction to put to death anyone that breaks his command and works on the Sabbath (v 14). God has made it holy, as a lasting sign between him and his people (v 17). What does it mean for us today? The New Testament doesn’t quote the fourth commandment (see 20:8–11) but does expect us to be set apart from the world – different in the right way (eg 2 Corinthians 6:17). Resting, following God’s example (v 17), and trusting him to provide for us is one of these.
Respond
Resting from work allows us to refresh, recharge, meet with others to worship and devote time to relationships. Which of these do you need to focus on more?
Deeper Bible study
‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me … find rest for your souls.’1
Our daughter Anna is an artist, gifted in watercolour and oil painting. She has connected with other painters, some of whom feel disconnected from the church as they pursue their inner artistic visions. That’s why the beginning of this passage is so striking to me; from atop Mount Sinai, God affirms two artists, Bezalel and Oholiab, making it clear that their work is integral to the kind of worship setting he has in mind for his people. It is an artist, Bezalel, who is the first person in the Bible described as being filled with the Spirit (v 3).
God finishes his extended message to Moses by expanding on the fourth commandment: ‘Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.’2 Over the years, Christians have debated what ‘keeping it holy’ means in practice. Am I allowed to go shopping, play sports, do a few work emails? Here in chapter 31, God is blunt about the Old Testament consequences of desecrating the Sabbath (v 14) and it’s a bit unsettling. The helpful addition is the underlying purpose of the Sabbath, ‘so that you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy’ (v 13). My Sunday pattern involves a longer than usual quiet time in the morning, a workout while listening to a Tim Keller sermon on my iPhone, attending worship services at our church, reading a good book in the afternoon and ending the day with a 2-mile prayer walk. For me, that combination is restful and refreshing (v 17).
We have now come to the end of God’s thundering message from Sinai. After such a dramatic mountaintop experience (v 18) we might think his people would never forget and always obey his Word. Human nature, however, doesn’t work that way, as we shall soon find out.
Has your pattern on Sunday changed over the years? If so, how and why? How could you creatively use next Sunday as a restful, refreshing day with God?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Kings 8,9; Psalms 62,63
Much more than Word Live
You probably know that Word Live is brought to you by Scripture Union but you may not be aware of the wider work of SU in England and Wales. As a Christian charity, we long to see a new generation of children and young people with a vibrant personal faith in Jesus, and that's why we've made it our mission to provide opportunities for them to explore the Bible, respond to Jesus and grow in faith. We believe every child should have the chance to discover Jesus, and with an estimated 95% of under-18s in England and Wales not in church, we're working harder than ever to take the good news of Jesus to them in exciting and culturally relevant ways.
Pray for Scripture Union
This week's prayers relate to this article. Reflect on Matthew 9 verse 38 – with millions of children and young people not part of church, please pray that more people will become Faith Guides.
