Exodus 35:23
And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair, and red skins of rams, and badgers’ skins, brought them. And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair, and red skins of rams, and badgers’ skins, brought them.
Everyone who possessed blue, purple and scarlet cloth, fine linen, goats' hair, red-dyed ram skins and badgers' skins brought them as the Lord's offering for building the wilderness sanctuary and its service according to God's design. The gifts were free and willing-hearted and not compelled, given by every man and woman whose heart stirred him to give. They gave gladly and eagerly without urging, bringing offerings every morning until they supplied much more than enough and had to be restrained from bringing more. This generous willing service pleased God, who showed His acceptance when His glory filled the completed tabernacle, reflecting the value they placed on His presence. His work is to be advanced now in the same way by hearts as free, willing and anxious, with the same perfection in every line of work done for Him.
Materials Brought for Tabernacle
Every person who possessed blue and purple and scarlet cloth, fine linen, goats' hair, red skins of rams, and badgers' skins brought what was found with them as the Lord's offering for the work of building the tabernacle of the congregation in the wilderness. These materials were given for the sanctuary and its service, for the construction of the tabernacle and everything commanded to be made for it, according to God's instructions and design. It was part of a hearty response to the Lord's invitation, given by every one whose heart stirred him and whom his spirit made willing, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted.
This giving took place after the departure from Egypt, when the people stood only a step from freedom back to slavery and possessed only scanty means, dwelling themselves in small tents. They did not first seek to enlarge and enrich their own dwellings, but put God's house first and followed the design He gave for the tabernacle.
The very materials brought, and the skill employed in using them, were themselves gifts from God, entrusted to be used for His glory. The construction of the tabernacle was a work the Lord directed with great care, in which He required exactitude, skill, tact, wisdom, and perfection in work done for Him.
Willing Abundant Free Offering
The offerings for the tabernacle were free and willing-hearted, not compelled, given by every one whose heart stirred him and whom his spirit made willing, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted. Whoever had blue and purple and scarlet material, fine linen, goats' hair, red skins of rams, and badgers' skins brought them as the Lord's offering for the sanctuary and its service in the wilderness. These were free-will offerings, given willingly and abundantly without needing to be urged.
They gave gladly and anxiously, bringing free offerings every morning with cheerful, willing labor until they brought much more than enough for the service of the work commanded to be made. They took ornaments and jewelry from their persons and gave gold, silver, brass, ornamental work and other materials to beautify and enrich God's house, because each soul wanted an interest in it. More than a million dollars was expended, and the gifts came in such abundance that Moses and the leaders had to proclaim that it was enough and they must cease bringing more, because all that had been brought could not be used.
This giving was a special call beyond the regular and systematic tithes and donations, with the amount required proportioned to the amount each person possessed. Though the gold and the silver are His, and all that people possess, even their own souls and bodies, are His, and He could have furnished the means without asking any sacrifice, He never works that way. He requires such gifts to sustain His service, to let people have a part in the blessing of returning to the Lord what is His own, and for the good of the givers themselves.
This generous-hearted, willing service was pleasing to God, and when the tabernacle was completed He signified His acceptance when a cloud covered the tent of the congregation and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Their cheerful generosity in preparing a place for God's presence showed devotion and zeal in supporting the worship of God. Their willing and generous gifts reflected the value they placed on God's presence and sacred things.
Example for God's Work
Their cheerful generosity in freely bringing the colored cloth, fine linen, goats' hair, and animal skins needed for the tabernacle, in preparing a place for God's presence, is an example of devotion and zeal in supporting the worship of God. Their gifts were to be willingly and generously offered, reflecting the value they placed on God's presence and sacred things. It stands as an example of devotion, zeal, and liberality in supporting a place for the worship of God.
The varied materials needed for its construction gave everyone an opportunity to take part, and their giving and labor taught them to cooperate with God and with one another. This cooperation also served as a lesson in preparing God's temple in the soul.
God required exactitude, skill, tact, wisdom and perfection in the work done for Him on the earthly tabernacle, and He requires that same perfection in every line of work done in His service now. Workers are to train their minds to do the very highest service and seek mental strength to do everything according to the pattern shown to Moses in the mount. God's work is to be advanced now in the same way, by hearts as free, willing and anxious as Israel's, who when assured there is a work to be done and God calls for their means and hearty cooperation will need no urging. After Israel left Egypt, when they were only a step from freedom back to slavery and had only scanty means with small tents of their own, they did not seek to enlarge their own dwellings first but put God's house first, following the design God gave them for the tabernacle. They needed no urging, but gladly and anxiously brought gifts in abundance, taking ornaments and jewelry from their persons and giving gold, silver, brass, ornamental work and other materials to beautify and enrich God's house because each soul wanted an interest in it. More than a million dollars was expended, and their cheerful, willing labors and offerings were so abundant that Moses had to proclaim they had enough and must cease because all they had brought could not be used.
Though the gold and the silver are His and all that people possess, even their own souls and bodies, are His, and He could have furnished the means without asking any sacrifice, He never works that way but called on all the people to bring free-will offerings of blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats' hair, red skins of rams, and badgers' skins. They all wanted a part in the blessing of returning to the Lord what is His own, and they gave until the leaders could say it is enough and to bring no more offerings. The same blessing is for every soul now who takes an interest and makes a free-will offering to help purchase property for a school where youth shall be educated to go forth as missionaries. Heart and purse are to be opened so that when the deed is offered the money is ready.