“Holy Work and Holy Rest” (Exodus 31:1–18)

“Holy Work and Holy Rest” (Exodus 31:1–18)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday PM, February 3, 2019

Exodus 31:1–18 (NIV)
       31 Then the Lord 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.”
       12 Then the Lord said to Moses, 13 “Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.
       14 “ ‘Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people. 15 For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death. 16 The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. 17 It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’ ”
       18 When the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the covenant law, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.

1. God Calls and Gifts People for His Holy Work (vv. 1–11).

a. These men were uniquely chosen and called by God for this task.
b. One does not need to be an anointed priest or ordained clergy to engage in Holy work for the Lord.
c. All kinds of work, including artistic work and working with one’s hands, can be regarded as Holy work for the Lord.
d. All work done in service to the Lord should be done with excellence and to the best of one’s ability.
e. God gifts people with different abilities and talents for His Service.

2. God Provides for and Invites His People into His Holy Rest (vv. 12–18).

a. Sabbath is an opportunity to remember the Lord’s work.
b. Sabbath is an opportunity to obey the Lord.
c. Sabbath is an opportunity to rest in the Lord.
d. Sabbath is an opportunity to identify as the Lord’s holy, covenant people.
e. Sabbath is an opportunity to trust the Lord’s provision.