Exodus 35:19, commentary and pictures

The verse names the cloths of service and the holy garments for Aaron and his sons for ministry in the holy place. It stands as part of the record of materials and offerings brought to build and furnish the tabernacle. This direction belonged to God's command to build the tabernacle just after Israel left Egypt, when freedom was still fragile and means were scanty. While the people themselves lived in small tents, they put God's house first.

The materials for the sanctuary and its priestly service were raised by willing free-will offerings over and above the tithe and all regular and systematic donations. The call was laid on all the people in proportion to what each possessed, and was given without urging. Each person was anxious to share in erecting it according to the design God had given. The gifts included personal ornaments and jewelry and materials of gold, silver, brass and ornamental work. The giving was so abundant that its value exceeded a million dollars, until Moses and the leaders proclaimed that enough had been brought and that willing work and offerings must stop because all could not be used.

God could have furnished the means without asking sacrifice, since the gold and silver and even souls and bodies are His. But He called for this sacrifice for the people's own good as well as to sustain His service. There is blessing in taking part in such free giving as returning to the Lord His own. In making the cloths of service and the holy garments, God required exactitude, skill, tact, wisdom and perfection. The same perfection God then required He requires now in every line of work done in His service, and workers are to seek mental strength to do everything according to the pattern shown to Moses in the mount.