In Exodus 31 we have all this closed with two facts – the Spirit of God empowering man to make a tabernacle according to the pattern, and the Sabbath day connected with the order of the tabernacle. It has been remarked by another, and it is perfectly true, that in this book when we meet with any dealing of God, of whatever kind it may be, the Sabbath day is always introduced.
For instance, in the earlier half of Exodus, where we have God’s dealings in grace, the Sabbath day is brought in, marked out by the bread God provided for His people, the manna – the figure of Christ come down from heaven to be the food of the hungry on earth: then followed the Sabbath at once.
Next, when the law was given, in the very center of its requirements stands the Sabbath day.
Again, in these various figures or institutions of good things to come, the Sabbath re-appears. Thus it is evident that, no matter what the subject may be, the Sabbath has always a place assigned to it. God therefore makes much of the sign. The reason is that He would impress on His people that all His dealings, varied as they may be, are intended to keep before their minds that rest to which He was steadily working, and into which He means to bring His own in due time.
Therefore whatever the work introduced meanwhile – whether of grace, as the effectual working of God, or whether of law as proving the inefficiency of man – He always holds out His rest, to which He would also direct the eyes of all who love Him.