How does Exodus 35:32 connect with the building of the Tabernacle in Exodus? Setting the Scene: Exodus 35:32 in Context Exodus 35 revisits the instructions first given in Exodus 31, but now the people are ready to obey. Verse 32 zooms in on the specific task God has empowered: “to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze”. This single line anchors everything that follows: • It identifies the purpose—“artistic works” that will adorn the Tabernacle. • It specifies the materials—“gold, silver, and bronze,” matching the exact metals God prescribed in Exodus 25:3. • It assumes a Spirit-given skill set, foreshadowed in Exodus 31:3 and repeated in Exodus 35:31. Spirit-Empowered Craftsmen: Bezalel and Oholiab • Exodus 35:30-35 names Bezalel (from the tribe of Judah) and Oholiab (from Dan) as the chief artisans. • Verse 31 affirms, “He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in all kinds of craftsmanship.” • Exodus 36:1 expands this to “every skilled person to whom the LORD has given skill and ability,” underscoring that the work is divinely enabled, not merely human talent. Skill for Sacred Space: From Verse to Construction Exodus 35:32’s focus on designing in precious metals folds into each major Tabernacle element: • Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 37:1-9) – overlaid with gold, featuring hammered cherubim. • Table of the Bread of the Presence (37:10-15) – gold molding and rings, crafted precisely. • Lampstand (37:17-24) – solid gold, “hammered work,” mirroring the artistry implied in 35:32. • Altar of Incense & Altar of Burnt Offering (37:25-29; 38:1-7) – mixing gold and bronze according to function. • Bronze Basin, frames, hooks, and pegs (38:8-20) – the broader bronze work that fills the courtyard. Every piece fulfills “artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze,” translating verse 32 from mandate to masterpiece. Echoes Across Scripture • Exodus 25:8-9 – God’s blueprint: “Make a sanctuary for Me, and I will dwell among them.” Verse 32 shows the execution phase. • 1 Kings 7 – Solomon’s Temple, where Hiram’s bronze work echoes the craftsmanship of Bezalel. • 2 Chronicles 2:7 – Solomon again calls for “a man skilled to work in gold, silver, bronze, and iron,” directly resonating with Exodus 35:32. • Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s workmanship,” reminding believers that divine craftsmanship now applies to people as God’s dwelling place. Why This Matters for Us Today • God values beauty and excellence; artistic skill is a Spirit-given gift. • Obedience involves both heart and hands—Israel’s willing offerings (Exodus 35:21-22) combine with Spirit-empowered labor. • The Tabernacle’s construction shows that worship encompasses creativity, precision, and cooperation under God’s direction. • Just as Bezalel crafted a dwelling for God on earth, believers are called to let the Spirit shape their lives into a living temple (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). |
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