Exodus 31:1-11 Study guide gifted to create

Community Group Study Guide —Gifted to Create

Exodus 31:1-11

Study Information:

Over the last few study guides we learned about the theme of God’s presence and what the various elements of the the Tabernacle communicated about God, specifically that he made a way for his people to dwell with him. We now turn to the construction of the Tabernacle and how God organized the workers and empowered it all with his Spirit. Exodus 31:3 is actually the first time we’re told that God’s Spirit filled someone in the Bible for a divine task it is in this passage. It was not Abraham, Sarah, Moses, or Aaron but rather Bezalel who was first filled with the Spirit of God to oversee the construction of this sacred space. Many of us would think it would be for some other purpose, but God empowered someone as a project manager with his Spirit. This should alert us to how important the Tabernacle was to the life of the people of Israel and how God often uses ordinary means to communicate his glory. 

Gifted to Create

Exodus 31:1-11

The Tabernacle was more than an efficient and convenient place of worship like a warehouse or boxy building. God could have just made it functional, instead God was extravagant in the design and construction of the Tabernacle. Hebrews tells us that it was a shadow of the heavenly realities and we’ve learned previously that it was filled with imagery from Eden (Hebrews 8:5). Looking at Exodus 31:7-11 we get a reminder of all the beauty in the place from the lamp stand made from 75 pounds of gold, to the embroidered veils and curtains depicting Eden to the priestly garments. God did not just find the best craftsmen and artisans in the community, he also empowered them with his Spirit to accomplish this work. Notice four things here. 

First, the work was Spirit filled (Exodus 31:3). The phrase “Spirit of God” had only been used twice before in the Bible. We’re told Joseph was seen as being filled with the Spirit of God by the Egyptians and the phrase “Spirit of God” was used in Genesis 1:2 when the Spirit hovered over the unformed waters of the earth as creation began. With Joseph the emphasis was on wisdom and with Genesis 1:2 the Spirit was at work in creation. God took a man named Bezalel and filled him with this very same Spirit so he could organize the construction and art in the Tabernacle. 

Second, the Spirit magnified Bezalel’s existing abilities and skills. All of our skills and abilities ultimately source back to God based on his providence. Yet at the same time these abilities and skills are also developed and cultivated over years of practice. Specifically Bezalel had ability, intelligence and knowledge around all types of craftsmanship to devise artistic designs (Exodus 31:3-4). In the original Hebrew, the word for “Spirit” modified these other words and by doing so communicates to us that God empowered these traits in Bezalel to bring out the best to glorify God. 

Third, God had beauty in mind. Genesis 2:8 tells us that the Garden of Eden was a place pleasant to the sight and we’ve learned throughout this section of Exodus that the Tabernacle was meant to remind people of Eden. Likewise, we can see all the extravagance in the building in the artistic construction. God cared about more than just function, he wanted the place to feel sacred and to magnify his glory. 

Finally, all the congregation got to participate in this work. God not only gave Bezalel the Spirit’s filling but he also gave him a foreman in Oholiab and we’re told that the whole community was involved (Exodus 31:6). Notice later on in Exodus 36:2 that God stirred up every craftsman to be part of it and Exodus 35:25 that the women in the community gathered to spin the yarn and embroider the materials needed for the tent and canvas. What we see is that God was at work from the least to the greatest among them to build this beautiful space. 

Though these passages are not directly about a theology of work, they do speak to how God equips us and gifts us to serve others and often that happens through our work. Work is more than a job we do for a paycheck, it is any place we expend physical, mental and emotional effort to see things grow and cared for. It can encompass our jobs, hobbies, activities and families. God cares about excellence and beauty in our work and if God has called us to do it, it is a spiritual calling. Likewise it honors God when we use our skills and abilities in his service. Paul, in 1 Corinthians, elaborated on the way God gifts people with the Spirit today so we can serve one another, build up the church and seek the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7). What God did with Bezalel and Oholiab and the people was unique in the construction of the Tabernacle, but also serves as a framework to understand that God loves when we use physical work, mental effort and our skills to bless and serve others and God continues that work today in a distinct way. 

The Spirit is Still Building 

Exodus 31:6, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Throughout this series we’ve learned that God’s dwelling place moved location throughout the Bible from Eden, to the Tabernacle, then Solomon’s Temple, next in Jesus, and today the church is described as the dwelling place of God as we look to New Creation where God will dwell with his people face to face (John 1:14, Ephesians 2:22, Revelation 21:3-4). 

In the church, the Spirit is still at work to create beauty. The beauty is not in the lamp stand or the panelling or the veil, it is not in the fine gold work or jewels or the embroidery on the curtains, it is not in architecture or painting. The beauty is in the people that God has made new and now calls home by his Spirit’s presence

When Paul taught on the gifts of the Spirit he did so in the context of how God builds up the church, in a way that is similar to what God did with the construction of the Tabernacle. 

Spiritual gifts are Spirit empowered skills and abilities that enable us to love and serve one another and so beautify and build up the people of God as the church. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 described there being a variety of activities, services and gifts for the purpose of seeking the common good. Just as everyone was involved in building the Tabernacle so too God empowers every believer to build up the church (1 Corinthians 12:6). We’re called to an active faith that loves and serves others and by doing so we reflect the glory and beauty of God to the world. 

At your community group:

Take 15-20 minutes to share about how God has been at work in your life, prayer concerns and pray for one another.

How did God speak to you through the scripture and the sermon this week? 

Discussion Questions:

Read Exodus 31:1-11

Who was involved in building the Tabernacle? What unique things do we learn about Bezalel in particular?

Read Exodus 35:25-36:2 how was the whole community involved in the creation? 

Why did God want the Tabernacle to be filled with beauty and made artistically? 

For followers of Jesus today, God’s Spirit indwells them and makes them into a temple (Eph 2:22). With the Spirit’s presence also comes spiritual gifts. Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-7. How are Spiritual gifts and God’s call for followers of Christ to love and serve each other similar to what he did with the creation of the Tabernacle? Are there ways you can be involved in building and beautifying the people of God this week?