Sunday Sermonette: The tedium finally ends

Exodus 31 completes the lawgiving, anticlimactically. First, for no particular reason, we get the names of two artisans about whom we learn nothing and who never appear again except to be mentioned in this way.31 Then theLord 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. ”If anybody ever read this part of the Torah, we might use the word " Bezalel " to mean a skilled artisan, but the...
Source: Stayin' Alive - Category: American Health Source Type: blogs