Exodus 35:25
And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen. And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen.
All the women who were wise in heart spun yarn with their own hands and brought what they had spun in blue and purple and scarlet and fine linen for the tabernacle. They did this work with skill and ingenuity, including embroidery with precious materials, under the design God gave to be followed according to the pattern shown on the mount. They did it just after leaving Egypt when freedom was only a step from slavery and means were scanty and their own tents were small, yet they put God's house first and gave in abundance until they had to be told to cease bringing offerings. That special free-will offering beyond the regular tithes and offerings was required from all in proportion to what each possessed, and their willing, wholehearted labor is the example of devotion, energy and generosity in preparing a place for God's worship. Their skill and ability were gifts to be used for God's glory, with the same exactitude, perfection and cooperation required in every work done in His service, giving everyone a share in the work and its blessing.
Skilled Work for Tabernacle
All the women described as wise-hearted were both skilled and willing-hearted, spinning with their own hands and bringing what they had spun, blue and purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, for the tabernacle. Their hand spinning and free bringing of the colored materials and fine linen they made was part of Israel's willing, free offering to God. Their skill and ability were gifts to be used in God's service and for His glory.
Their skill and ingenuity extended to making embroidery for the sanctuary, working with precious materials such as silver and gold. This work was done just after Israel left Egypt, when freedom was only a step from slavery and means were scanty while their own tents were small. Yet they did not ask to enlarge their own dwellings, because God's house must be built first.
The work was carried out under a design God gave to be followed, a work He carefully directed according to the pattern shown on the mount. The exactitude, skill, tact, wisdom and perfection required in building the earthly tabernacle is seen in the wise-hearted women spinning blue and purple and scarlet and fine linen with their hands. The people needed no urging but gave in abundance, each soul anxious to have an interest in the tabernacle. They took ornaments and jewelry from their persons into the treasury to beautify and enrich God's house with gold, silver, brass and ornamental work including spun blue, purple, scarlet and fine linen, at a cost of more than a million dollars, with cheerful willing labor until Moses had to proclaim they had enough and their offerings must cease because he could not use all they had brought.
Pattern for Giving Today
The spinning of blue and purple and scarlet and fine linen was part of the special free-will offering brought for building the tabernacle in the wilderness, distinct from and beyond the regular systematic donations. Those regular requirements included tithe, sin-offerings, thank-offerings, trespass-offerings, ransom for the firstborn, firstfruits of flock and harvest, leaving the corners and gleanings of fields for the poor, letting the land produce for the needy every seventh year, and remitting debts every seventh year. That special offering for the tabernacle was required from all the people and not from one class alone. It was to be in proportion to what each possessed, so that larger capital called for a more valuable gift to be returned to God, and God called for it for the people's own good and to sustain His service.
The wise-hearted women freely used their skill and hands to spin materials and brought what they had made, in willing, wholehearted response to the invitation to build. Their cheerful work stands as an example of devotion, energy and generosity in preparing a place for the worship of God. Those preparing a house of worship should show zeal in proportion to the value they place on God's presence and blessings. Their gifts became so abundant that the people had to be told to stop bringing them.
Their skill and ability were gifts to be used in God's service and for His glory. The women skilled in spinning freely contributed the yarn they had made, and their willing generosity is an example of giving for His service. Their abilities and offerings helped carry out a work God had carefully directed. The exactitude, skill, tact, wisdom and perfection God required in building the earthly tabernacle belongs in every work done in God's service. Workers are to train their minds for the very highest service and seek mental strength to do everything according to the pattern shown on the mount, because God requires perfection in every line of work connected with His service.
Their gifts gave everyone a share in the work and its blessing. The sanctuary was prepared through the willing work of the people, as a shared work that taught Israel to cooperate with God and with one another. That cooperation was also to help prepare the spiritual temple in the soul. Hearts now are just as free, willing and anxious to aid the advancement of God's work, needing no urging once assured there is a work to be done and God calls for their means and hearty cooperation.