Exodus 31:10, commentary and pictures

Exodus 31:10 names the cloths of service and the holy garments for Aaron and his sons for ministering in the priest's office as part of all that was to be made for the tabernacle according to God's command on the mount. The work was to be done by Bezaleel of Judah and Aholiab of Dan with every wise-hearted worker, whom God filled with His Spirit in wisdom and understanding and knowledge and workmanship to accomplish it. God required perfection, exactness and skill in every detail of that sacred work, that the tabernacle and its garments might represent His perfection and the perfection and completeness of Christ's work. Even this holy work did not set aside the Sabbath, for keeping the seventh day holy is the sign that He sanctifies His people and the public mark of loyalty to Him as Creator, and the same divine guidance and call to faithful, unselfish excellence belongs to His work today.

Garments and Their Makers

The cloths of service and the holy garments for Aaron and his sons to minister in the priest's office were among all that God commanded Moses on the mount to have made for the tabernacle. They were to be made by skilled workers according to God's instructions, as one part of everything Bezaleel and Aholiab and every wise-hearted worker were to make according to all He commanded. The tabernacle and everything made for it, including these garments, were sacred to God's service and were to represent His perfection, standing as an illustration of the perfection and completeness of Christ's work. God's care in arranging such details shows His willingness to guide the building of institutions for His work today.

The makers were named by God Himself, with Bezaleel son of Uri of the tribe of Judah called to be architect, and Aholiab son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan given with him, together with every wise-hearted worker in whose heart wisdom was put, that they might make all He commanded. They were filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom and understanding and knowledge and all manner of workmanship to do that work. Their calling and qualifying shows God is the true source of wisdom for the work He appoints.

Israel had been held in bondage in Egypt and knew how to make bricks but had not been instructed in the curious arts called for in gold and silver. Moses, though proficient in all the learning of the Egyptians and with knowledge of God revealed in visions, did not know how to engrave and embroider. Therefore God Himself explained how the work was to be accomplished and signified by name the persons He desired to do it.

These were special directions for building the tabernacle, and the building work was the Lord's own work done under His supervision. At Israel's deliverance it was carried forward under the guidance of the unseen Leader, who gave chosen men wisdom and skill for it. Those who had a part assigned them felt greatly honored to have a share in the Lord's work, offering faithful unselfish service from love and reverence for God and returning to Him the increase of the talents given them.

Perfection in Sacred Work

God required perfection in every detail of that work, with exactness and skill, as the pattern of what He requires in all work done for His service. The cloths of service and the holy garments for Aaron and his sons to minister in the priest's office were part of all He commanded Moses on the mount to have made for the tabernacle through Bezaleel, Aholiab, and every wise-hearted worker filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom and understanding and knowledge and workmanship. The tabernacle and everything made for it were sacred to God's service and were to represent His perfection. It was to stand continually before more than a million people as an illustration of the perfection and completeness of Christ's work, including these garments.

God arranged every detail of that construction as a representation of His power and majesty. The care He required shows that everything done in God's service, including practical and mechanical work and every work set by hand whether agricultural or mechanical, is to reflect the perfection of His character. It is to be after the pattern of the heavenly with perfection in every part and uprightness in smallest as well as largest matters, revealing the leading of the Spirit of God and the principles of heaven. The wisdom and skill for the sanctuary furnishings and priestly garments came from God as the true source to those He appointed and called. He filled Bezaleel with the Spirit of God in wisdom and understanding and knowledge and all manner of workmanship, gave Aholiab with him, and put wisdom in the hearts of all the wise-hearted to make what He commanded according to His plan, so no person had cause to take credit or exalt himself.

Sabbath Sign and Present Application

Even that holy building work did not set aside the Sabbath, for in the same chapter God enforced keeping the seventh day holy as the Sabbath of the Lord, sanctified and blessed by God, plainly telling which day it is and leaving not a shade of doubt about the duty. Keeping that Sabbath is the sign that He is the Lord who sanctifies His people, which is genuine sanctification, and a sign of the loyalty of God's people. Keeping the seventh day according to those directions shows to those united in a confederacy of transgression that Sabbathkeepers bear God's sign, are loyal subjects of His kingdom, and acknowledge Him as Creator of heaven and earth. It draws a plain public line of demarcation between him that serves God and him that serves Him not by honoring Him in keeping His commandments, for holiness to the Lord is the badge of His people, and those who keep holy the day He set apart are cheerful and happy in assurance of His blessing.

God's care in arranging every detail of the tabernacle, including its cloths of service and priestly garments, as a representation of His power and majesty is an example of His willingness to guide the building of institutions for His work today. He communicates with His people today in the same way He communicated with His people of old, to give wisdom, judgment, and skill to do His will.

The capabilities God gives men and women today are not to be employed for selfish advantage or selfish interest but to show forth His glory in smaller as well as larger matters of life for the advancement of His cause. Christ has a place for all sanctified ability, first bestowing the gift and then the power to improve it to be returned to Him in willing service, through daily surrender of self, use of every capability with unselfish love, cheerful willing bearing of the cross of self-denial, and going apart at times to rest and commune with God to learn how to work to His greatest glory, and great grace is imparted to one who works thus. Work done for Him now must honor His name and must not move forward shabbily, with faithfulness, stability, and fitness seen in every line, and buildings corresponding with the providence of God and with their relation to the work to be done in other places.