SERIES D --- YHVH’S TABERNACLE --- LESSON 07

WORK AND REST

THE TABERNACLE WORKMEN AND THE SABBATH

From Exodus 31

Adonai continued speaking to Moses while he was on Mount Sinai. He said these things to him: [I have chosen Bezalel the son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah and have filled him with Ruach HaKodesh. I have given him great skill, wisdom and understanding in craftsmanship, an ability to make beautiful designs and to work in gold, silver and bronze. He is skilled as a jeweller and a woodcarver, as well as in other crafts. I have appointed Oholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to work with him. I have also given special skill to others who will work in the construction of the tabernacle, the Ark of the Testimony with the mercy seat upon it, the tabernacle furniture, the table and its utensils, the golden lamp stand and its utensils, the altar of incense, the burnt offering altar and its utensils, the laver and its pedestal, the beautiful garments for Aaron and his sons {so they can serve Me as My priests}, the anointing oil and the fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They must make all of these things exactly as I have Commanded you.] Adonai also said to Moses: [Tell the people of Israel to observe My Shabbat day, for this is a sign between you and Me forever, reminding you of My Covenant and reminding you also that I am Adonai Who makes you holy. Observe the Shabbat day, for it is a Holy Day for you. Whoever breaks this Commandment and profanes the Shabbat shall die and who ever works on the Shabbat day shall be cut off from his people. You shall work six days each week, but the seventh day is a Shabbat of solemn rest, holy to Adonai. Whoever works on the Shabbat day shall be put to death. The people of Israel shall keep the Shabbat day throughout all generations as an everlasting Covenant with Me. It is a symbol forever between Me and the people of Israel, reminding them that in six days Adonai made the heaven and the earth and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.] When Adonai had finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, He gave him two tablets of stone, the tables of testimony, on which Adonai wrote the Ten Commandments with His own finger.

COMMENTARY

WORKERS AND TRADES IN ANCIENT TIMES

Shoes, silverware, cabinets, dishes, tools; many of the items taken for granted today were hard to come by in biblical times. They all had to he skilfully crafted by hand through many hours of work. When YHVH laid out the intricate plans for the gold-overlaid tabernacle, the Israelites faced quite a challenge. The labour and skill involved were enormous. Not only that, most of them had been trained as bricklayers and shepherds. Only two men were gifted as craftsmen; Bezalel and Oholiab; and they were put in charge of the building. The two had probably learned their skills from the Egyptians. Copper and bronze had been plentiful in Egypt and most tools were made of them. Gold was {as common as dust,} so it was used both as jewellery and for everyday things like wire and nails. Egypt was thick with trees in its early days and beautiful boxes, games and boats were made of wood. When wood grew scarce, the Egyptians used the hollow reed called papyrus to make boats, mats, rope, paper, even sandals. Egyptian weavers, usually women, were famous for their linen and leather-makers’ work was highly prized. Among ancient people; and still to this day in some parts of the world; crafts were passed on from father to son to grandson. By the time a child was ten years old, he was well on his way to learning his father’s trade. Groups of people who performed the same jobs joined together in what may be called a {guild} today. These organizations protected and preserved their secrets and privileges. But they were rather loosely put together and were supervised by a representative of the pharaoh. Like painters in a modern-day artist’s colony, Israelite craftsmen settled near others who shared their trade. Often areas and streets would be identified by that name. In Jerusalem, for instance, there was a {Bakers’ Street,} a {Cheese makers’ Valley} and a {Musicians’ Quarter.} The major trade in a town sometimes appeared in its name. Bethlehem meant {House of Bread} because so many bakers lived there; Bethsaida meant {Place of Nets and Fishermen} because that was the town’s biggest occupation. But there never seemed to be enough craftsmen and materials in biblical times. When Solomon replaced the tabernacle with his permanent temple, he had to import stonemasons and building materials. Working with them enriched the knowledge of the Israelite craftsmen and their skills grew. Handed down through generations of families, their rich fund of knowledge was kept alive through the centuries.