Note that the Sabbath regulation includes both a command to work and to rest. Some people are so prone to major on one or the other, ie to spend too much or too little time working. It seems that the death penalty of breaking the Sabbath was not implemented very often, but the Sabbath was taken very seriously, and in Jesus' time was the major cause of contention between the religious leaders and Jesus. Why is the Sabbath treated so seriously by God? Maybe it is because it is a key test of whether or not we are really trusting Him. Do we trust Him enough that we know we can afford to rest from our own labours from time to time, or do we really believe that everything is dependent upon us?
Moses then calls on the community to bring all sorts of offerings to the Lord, from gifts of precious stones, to offering their skills. As it said in the previous chapter, no one was to appear before the Lord empty handed. Many freely brought offerings to the Lord.
Finally two people are singled out by Moses as having special skills. Note that these skills are artistic and are given by the Spirit. Spiritual gifts are not restricted to clearly "spiritual" things like healing or prophecy, but can include "natural" gifts as well.
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