Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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Bezaleel was to be the architect, or master workman, Ex 31:2. He was of the tribe of Judah, a tribe that God delighted to honour; the grandson of Hur, probably that Hur who had helped to hold up Moses's hands (Ex 17:1-16), and was at this time in commission with Aaron for the government of the people in the absence of Moses (Ex 24:14); out of that family which was of note in Israel was the workman chosen, and it added no little honour to the family that a branch of it was employed, though but as a mechanic, or handicraft tradesman, for the service of the tabernacle. The Jews' tradition is that Hur was the husband of Miriam; and, if so, it was requisite that God should appoint him to this service, lest, if Moses himself had done it, he should be thought partial to his own kindred, his brother Aaron also being advanced to the priesthood. God will put honour upon Moses's relations, and yet will make it to appear that he takes not the honour to himself or his own family, but that it is purely the Lord's doing.
3 and I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and
in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
He qualifies these persons for the service (Ex 31:3): I have filled him with the Spirit of God; and (Ex 31:6) in the hearts of all that are wise-hearted I have put wisdom. Note, skill in common arts and employments is the gift of God; from him are derived both the faculty and the improvement of the faculty. It is he that puts even this wisdom into the inward parts, Job 38:36. He teaches the husbandman discretion (Isa 28:26), and the tradesman too; and he must have the praise of it.
God dispenses his gifts variously, one gift to one, another to another, and all for the good of the whole body, both of mankind and of the church. Moses was fittest of all to govern Israel, but Bezaleel was fitter than he to build the tabernacle. The common benefit is very much supported by the variety of men's faculties and inclinations; the genius of some leads