NOTE | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 25, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 12.

NOTE.

AFTER the covenant with Israel had been made and ratified, the Lord called Moses up into the mount, where he remained forty days and nights in the presence of Divinity. Ex. 24:8, 12, 18. It was during this time that God gave him the instructions concerning the sanctuary, which are recorded in chapters 25 to 31. The beginning of this instruction pertained to the sanctuary to be built, showing how particular God was in that which pertained to his worship; and he concluded this holy interview by giving the law, written on two tables of stone, yes, graven there by the finger of God. Ex. 31:18; 32:15, 16. The object of all worship, all services, all remedies, is to bring men into harmony with the holy law of God.

WHEN Moses was absent, Aaron and Hur acted as his deputies, even as they were his chief assistants at the time of the battle with Amalek, recorded in Ex. 17:8-15. It was very fitting that these men should thus act. Aaron was of the tribe of Levi, in which was vested the priesthood. This tribe belonged to God. Num. 3:1-13. Hur was probably the chief prince of the tribe of Judah. Ex. 31:1. An eminent and good man evidently, as the Lord chose from his descendants a skillful man to build the most sacred vessels. Judah was the tribe from which was to come the royal line and our Saviour. Gen. 49:10. Thus the supporters of Moses were the chief priest and chief prince.

Of the offerings brought, there is some difference of opinion among scholars in regard to the meaning of some of the original terms. The brass of the Bible was doubtless copper, which was abundant in Palestine, or an alloy of copper and tin, forming bronze. As these materials were brought from Egypt, the brass here mentioned was doubtless bronze, which was common in Egypt.

The blue, purple, and scarlet were materials which could be spun and woven into cloths (Ex. 35:25), the color being put for the material. This material was doubtless cotton or wool. See, Heb. 9:19.

Rams' skins dyed red are supposed by some to mean leather, colored and dressed like morocco. By others it is supposed to mean skins dressed with the wool on, either of a red color, or dyed red. "Badgers' skins" does not have reference to the skins of those animals. The Bible Commentary, edited by Canon Cook, says: "The [original] word bears a new resemblance to the Arabic tuchash, which appears to be a general name given to the seals, dugongs, and dolphins found in the Red Sea (Tristram), and according to some authorities, to the sharks and dogfish (Fürst). The substance spoken of would thus appear to have been leather formed from the skins of marine animals, which was well adapted as a protection against the weather. . . . The skins of the dolphin and dugong are cut into sandals by the Modern Arabs, and this may explain Eze. 16:10." "Shittim wood" was a kind of acacia, very hard and strong, and also light. "The LXX. call it 'wood that will not rot.'"—Id.

THE gold and silver were largely in the shape of jewels (Ex. 35:22), which the Egyptians had given them on that memorable morning after the slaying of Egypt's first-born. Israel, in asking for these valuable things, only demanded their just wages. Consequently when they gave them to God to build a sanctuary for him, they gave that which had cost them years of toil and sufferings. It was a willing sacrifice on their part. They felt as did David when he refused the gift of Araunah's threshing-floor. "Neither will I offer burnt-offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing." 2 Sam. 24:24. It is willing-heartedness that God loves.

In fact, no other offering but that given with the whole heart is acceptable to God. First, he demands that the individual yield himself. "Son, give Me thine heart," is the request which God makes. Those who do this, realizing that they are not their own, but "bought with a price," will not give grudgingly. They will only regret that they could not give more. They will first give themselves (1 Cor. 8:1-5), and in giving themselves, they give all. What a contrast this is to the popular ways of raising means in vogue at the present time. What efforts are many times put forth to induce professed Christians and worldlings to give. What artifices are used to make them believe that they are getting in some way the worth of their money here, in fun or in suppers, in prizes won at bazaars, or in some other way. All these ways are contrary to the spirit of divine benevolence. The people gave and gave willingly of their very best. So God gave his only begotten Son. That which is bestowed grudgingly upon the cause of God is not a gift. The Lord does not need it, and it is of no advantage to the one who thus bestows it.

IN his second epistle to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul makes the grace of Christ the grand spring of all Christian giving. Giving that is prompted by anything else is not Christian giving. As an incentive for them to give liberally, the apostle said: "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." 2 Cor. 8:9. The plan of salvation begins and ends in a gift. "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16. Christ "gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Titus 2:14. And when the work of redemption shall have been completed, the saints will share a glorious immortality as the free gift of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. This consideration should incite to prompt and cheerful giving. Indeed, it will lead to such giving on the part of every soul who feels the worth of the Saviour's love. Surely it is a slight thing to give the temporal riches which come from God in the first place, and belong to him, when he so freely gives to us eternal riches. "The riches of his grace" is an expression often used by the apostle Paul. But the grace of God is a gift, and consists wholly in giving; we are exhorted to be "good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:10. The spirit of willingness to give is a grace, and a manifestation of the grace of God. See 2 Cor. 8:4-7. A converted church must be a liberal church. A revival that does not increase the contributions of a church is not the right kind of a revival; for those who, like the brethren in Macedonia, first give themselves to the Lord, will, like them, abound in liberality, even in deep poverty. See 2 Cor. 8:1-5. This is further proved by the experience of the people in the time of Hezekiah. See 2 Chron. 30 and 31, comparing especially chapter 30:18-20 and 31:4-11.

THE great lesson which God would teach man, and which man needs to learn, is that all belongs to God. From him all came, to him all belongs. He created them by his mighty power; they were redeemed with the precious blood of Jesus. He who recognizes this, and truly yields himself to God through Christ, has learned the great lesson. All service for God will then be willing service; all offerings will be willing offerings. Selfishness will be swallowed up in love. He will be happy, not because he thinks of self, but because he has forgotten self in his love for God and for souls for whom Christ died. He will not ask, How little can I do and be accepted? but, How can I render back to God the least of all his mercies?