Israelites Bringing Offerings for the Wilderness SanctuaryBible World
35:20Exodus 35:20
And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.
The whole congregation departed from the presence of Moses after hearing the instructions and directions given through him for building the sanctuary and tabernacle, including the invitation to bring an offering for that work. This took place just after the departure from Egypt, when freedom could still turn back to slavery, when means were scanty and their own tents were small. What followed was a willing-hearted, voluntary response rather than compulsion, for those whose hearts stirred them and who were made willing chose to give freewill offerings. They needed no urging, but each soul was anxious to have an interest in the work.
The gifts were for the tabernacle, for its service, and for the holy garments, following the design given for the work, to beautify and enrich God's house. They put building God's house first instead of pleading to enlarge their own dwellings, taking ornaments and jewelry from their persons and gladly giving valuables, labor, gold, silver, brass, and ornamental work. They brought in such abundance that there was more than enough, valued at more than a million dollars, until Moses had to proclaim that they had enough. Their cheerful, willing offerings and labor had to cease because all that had been brought could not be used.
The surrounding account joins the bringing of materials with the use of skill, genius, and wisdom in willing-hearted giving and skilled labor, which were gifts from God to be used for His glory. The building of the earthly tabernacle shows that exactitude, skill, tact, wisdom, and perfection were required in that work, and that same perfection is required in every line of work done in His service. Workers are to train their minds for the very highest service and to seek mental strength to do everything according to the pattern shown to Moses in the mount. God's work advances when hearts assured of God's call give means and hearty cooperation freely without urging.
The whole congregation departed from the presence of Moses after hearing the instructions and directions given through him for building the sanctuary and tabernacle, including the invitation to bring an offering for that work. This took place just after the departure from Egypt, when freedom could still turn back to slavery, when means were scanty and their own tents were small. What followed was a willing-hearted, voluntary response rather than compulsion, for those whose hearts stirred them and who were made willing chose to give freewill offerings. They needed no urging, but each soul was anxious to have an interest in the work.
The gifts were for the tabernacle, for its service, and for the holy garments, following the design given for the work, to beautify and enrich God's house. They put building God's house first instead of pleading to enlarge their own dwellings, taking ornaments and jewelry from their persons and gladly giving valuables, labor, gold, silver, brass, and ornamental work. They brought in such abundance that there was more than enough, valued at more than a million dollars, until Moses had to proclaim that they had enough. Their cheerful, willing offerings and labor had to cease because all that had been brought could not be used.
The surrounding account joins the bringing of materials with the use of skill, genius, and wisdom in willing-hearted giving and skilled labor, which were gifts from God to be used for His glory. The building of the earthly tabernacle shows that exactitude, skill, tact, wisdom, and perfection were required in that work, and that same perfection is required in every line of work done in His service. Workers are to train their minds for the very highest service and to seek mental strength to do everything according to the pattern shown to Moses in the mount. God's work advances when hearts assured of God's call give means and hearty cooperation freely without urging.