Israelites Bringing Offerings for the Wilderness SanctuaryBible World
35:8Exodus 35:8
And oil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for the sweet incense,
The oil for the light and the spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense were among the materials called for through Moses to build and furnish the tabernacle sanctuary in the wilderness. The call came just after Israel left Egypt, when there was but a step back to slavery, their means were scanty and their own tents were small, yet God's house was to be built first according to the design God gave. The tabernacle work was to be carried out with exactness, skill, wisdom, and perfection according to the pattern shown to Moses.
The oil and spices were to come as freewill offerings from every one willing from the heart, given gladly without urging or compulsion. These were special offerings beyond systematic and regular donations such as tithing, with the amount required proportioned according to what each person possessed, and the call was made for the people's own good as well as to sustain God's service. The people were to give their best, and what belonged to God's service of worship was to be pure, orderly, and fitting. Though God owns the gold and silver and all that people possess, even their souls and bodies, and could furnish all means without asking any sacrifice, He calls on all to give so that every person may have a share in the blessing of returning to the Lord what is His own.
The means were to be raised by willing gifts alone, with no compulsion and no use of grand feasts, scenes of gaiety, dancing and general amusement, lotteries, entertainment, or anything profane to induce giving. Each soul was anxious to have an interest, casting ornaments and jewelry into the treasury with gold, silver, brass, and ornamental work until more than a million dollars was expended, and the willing, cheerful gifts came in such abundance that there was more than could be used, so Moses and the leaders proclaimed that they had enough and the people must cease bringing presents. Hearts now are just as free, willing, and anxious to give means and hearty cooperation for the advancement of God's work when assured that there is a work to be done and God calls for it, needing no urging.
The oil for the light and the spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense were among the materials called for through Moses to build and furnish the tabernacle sanctuary in the wilderness. The call came just after Israel left Egypt, when there was but a step back to slavery, their means were scanty and their own tents were small, yet God's house was to be built first according to the design God gave. The tabernacle work was to be carried out with exactness, skill, wisdom, and perfection according to the pattern shown to Moses.
The oil and spices were to come as freewill offerings from every one willing from the heart, given gladly without urging or compulsion. These were special offerings beyond systematic and regular donations such as tithing, with the amount required proportioned according to what each person possessed, and the call was made for the people's own good as well as to sustain God's service. The people were to give their best, and what belonged to God's service of worship was to be pure, orderly, and fitting. Though God owns the gold and silver and all that people possess, even their souls and bodies, and could furnish all means without asking any sacrifice, He calls on all to give so that every person may have a share in the blessing of returning to the Lord what is His own.
The means were to be raised by willing gifts alone, with no compulsion and no use of grand feasts, scenes of gaiety, dancing and general amusement, lotteries, entertainment, or anything profane to induce giving. Each soul was anxious to have an interest, casting ornaments and jewelry into the treasury with gold, silver, brass, and ornamental work until more than a million dollars was expended, and the willing, cheerful gifts came in such abundance that there was more than could be used, so Moses and the leaders proclaimed that they had enough and the people must cease bringing presents. Hearts now are just as free, willing, and anxious to give means and hearty cooperation for the advancement of God's work when assured that there is a work to be done and God calls for it, needing no urging.