Upon the heights of Sinai, the voice of the Lord came once more to Moses, saying:
"Behold, I have chosen Bezalel, son of Uri, son of Hur, from the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with My Spirit—wisdom, skill, knowledge in every craft, the power to shape wonders from gold, silver, and bronze, to carve stone and set it with precision, to fashion wood and breathe artistry into it. He shall bring forth designs never seen, works of beauty and holiness."
Beside him, the Lord appointed Oholiab, son of Ahisamach, from the tribe of Dan. And not only these two, but all the craftsmen of Israel were stirred by divine skill, that they might labor together in obedience to the command of the Lord.
Their task was sacred and vast: the Tent of Meeting where heaven's presence would rest, the Ark of the Covenant with its cover of mercy, the table with its sacred vessels, the lampstand of purest gold, the altars, the basin with its stand, the garments woven for Aaron and his sons, and the anointing oil with incense most holy. All was to be crafted exactly as the Lord commanded.
Then the Lord spoke again, His tone grave and eternal:
"Say to the Israelites: You shall keep My Sabbaths. This is a sign between us for all generations, that you may know I, the Lord, sanctify you. Six days you shall labor, but the seventh is holy, a Sabbath of rest. Whoever profanes it shall surely be cut off; whoever works upon it shall be put to death. For the Sabbath is a covenant, everlasting between Me and Israel. As I created the heavens and the earth in six days and rested on the seventh, so too shall My people rest."
When the Lord had finished speaking with Moses on the mountain, He placed in his hands the two tablets of the Testimony—stone tablets, carved and inscribed by the very finger of God.