Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.
Exodus 25:7 belongs to the detailed instructions for Israel's service given to Moses on the mount during forty days and nights, including the pattern of the ark and the specifications for building the tabernacle sanctuary. It was Christ who gave Moses those specifications for the tabernacle. The verse lists onyx stones and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate among the materials for the tabernacle, as part of the best offering the people could give for building, beautifying and enriching God's house.
The stones were to come only as a free-will offering taken from every man who gave willingly with his heart, whose heart stirred him. The command came just after leaving Egypt when return to slavery was still near, calling Israel to build from scanty means according to the design God gave and to put God's house before enlarging their own small tents. Every soul was anxious to have an interest in it, and the command was obeyed when everyone whose heart stirred him brought the offering, giving abundantly and cheerfully without urging, even taking ornaments and jewelry from their persons.
Gold, silver, brass and ornamental work were expended at more than a million dollars, until there was more than enough and Moses had to proclaim that they had enough and offerings and labors must cease because all that had been brought could not be used. Its purpose was to receive means to make a sanctuary that He might dwell among Israel, one that could be taken from place to place so that in all the travels of Israel the knowledge of God would be made known. It teaches that everything connected with worship is sacred and should be made pure, orderly and tasteful rather than cheap or careless.
It was repeated with the rest of Exodus 24-27 to fellow workers while working quickly and skillfully with the hands at tentmaking for personal benefit and theirs, to preach the gospel by labor as well as by voice and to give an example of diligence and thoroughness. The skill, genius and wisdom brought into the work of building the tabernacle were given by God to be used for His glory, to teach that supreme honor is to be given to God.
Exodus 25:7 belongs to the detailed instructions for Israel's service given to Moses on the mount during forty days and nights, including the pattern of the ark and the specifications for building the tabernacle sanctuary. It was Christ who gave Moses those specifications for the tabernacle. The verse lists onyx stones and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate among the materials for the tabernacle, as part of the best offering the people could give for building, beautifying and enriching God's house.
The stones were to come only as a free-will offering taken from every man who gave willingly with his heart, whose heart stirred him. The command came just after leaving Egypt when return to slavery was still near, calling Israel to build from scanty means according to the design God gave and to put God's house before enlarging their own small tents. Every soul was anxious to have an interest in it, and the command was obeyed when everyone whose heart stirred him brought the offering, giving abundantly and cheerfully without urging, even taking ornaments and jewelry from their persons.
Gold, silver, brass and ornamental work were expended at more than a million dollars, until there was more than enough and Moses had to proclaim that they had enough and offerings and labors must cease because all that had been brought could not be used. Its purpose was to receive means to make a sanctuary that He might dwell among Israel, one that could be taken from place to place so that in all the travels of Israel the knowledge of God would be made known. It teaches that everything connected with worship is sacred and should be made pure, orderly and tasteful rather than cheap or careless.
It was repeated with the rest of Exodus 24-27 to fellow workers while working quickly and skillfully with the hands at tentmaking for personal benefit and theirs, to preach the gospel by labor as well as by voice and to give an example of diligence and thoroughness. The skill, genius and wisdom brought into the work of building the tabernacle were given by God to be used for His glory, to teach that supreme honor is to be given to God.