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Fundamentals of Dispensational Truth.
#71.
The sabbath. A sign and a covenant (Exod. 31:).
pp. 24 - 30
With the reference in Exod. 31: 1-6 to the two men who were specially endowed
with wisdom for the making of the tabernacle, and the enumeration of its furniture in
Exod. 31: 7-11, the description of the tabernacle and its parts comes to an end. Upon
the close of the description of the place of worship follows the sign and covenant of the
sabbath, the giving of the law on the two tables of stone, and the lapse into idolatry
during the absence of Moses.
The Companion Bible shows the inter-relation of these parts very clearly; we give a
somewhat condensed copy of the structure here:--
Exod. 24: 9 - 32: 14.
A | 24: 9-11. The worship of the seventy elders.
B | 24: 12-14. The tables of stone promised.
C | 24: 15-18. The six days and the seventh.
D | 25: 1 - 31: 11. The tabernacle and its furniture.
C | 31: 12-17. The six days and the seventh.
B | 31: 18. The tables of stone given.
A | 32: 1-14. The idolatry of the people.
It has sometimes been felt that the making of such a structure as the tabernacle
demanded greater skill than it can be supposed a nation of slaves, whose labour was in
the brick fields, could possess, but we must leave God out of our reckoning. He not only
gave Moses detailed instructions and a perfect pattern, but fitted specially appointed
workers for their task:--
"I have called by name Bezaleel . . . . . I have filled with the Spirit of God, in wisdom,
and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship."
"And I behold, I have given unto him Aholiab . . . . . and in their hearts I have put
wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee" (Exod. 31: 1-6).
This covers the whole question: the God who gave the command provides the
wisdom and skill necessary for its accomplishment. Bezaleel means, "In the shadow of
God"; Aholiab means, "The tent of my Father"--two precious and fitting names for men
who were to be used of God in the construction of the tabernacle.
While we would make no pretensions to supernatural endowment to-day, we do most
certainly believe that when God calls a man to a service He equips him for the work. He
may be but a fisherman or a gatherer of sycamore fruit. He may be the wisest of kings or
the most learned of pharisees, but, be he whom he may, his fitness for service will be
given by the One Who called him to the work.