Israelites Bringing Offerings for the Wilderness SanctuaryBible World
35:9Exodus 35:9
And onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod, and for the breastplate.
Exodus 35:9 belongs to the instructions for the tabernacle and lists onyx stones and stones for the ephod and breastplate among the materials to be supplied and offered for God's house. These materials were to be brought as willing, free offerings from the heart, with the people giving their possessions to help build and beautify God's house. Such gifts were not to be obtained by compulsion or entertainment. The tabernacle in the wilderness was provided by special freewill offerings beyond the regular systematic donations. The people gave freely and in such abundance that the work received more than it needed, until Moses and the leaders said they had enough and must bring no more.
The sanctuary was to be furnished with the best the people could give, and what was connected with worship was to be treated as sacred and made pure and tasteful. The tabernacle's construction required exactness, skill, wisdom, and perfection according to the pattern God showed Moses. That standard of exactness and perfection applies to every kind of work in God's service. God called for such gifts both for the good of the givers and to sustain His service.
The gold and silver are His, and even souls and bodies belong to Him, and He could have furnished the means without asking any sacrifice, but He has never worked that way. He gives every soul a share in the blessing that comes from returning to Him what is His own, and the people wanted a part in that blessing. The same call applies to making freewill offerings to purchase property for schools where youth are educated to go forth as missionaries.
Exodus 35:9 belongs to the instructions for the tabernacle and lists onyx stones and stones for the ephod and breastplate among the materials to be supplied and offered for God's house. These materials were to be brought as willing, free offerings from the heart, with the people giving their possessions to help build and beautify God's house. Such gifts were not to be obtained by compulsion or entertainment. The tabernacle in the wilderness was provided by special freewill offerings beyond the regular systematic donations. The people gave freely and in such abundance that the work received more than it needed, until Moses and the leaders said they had enough and must bring no more.
The sanctuary was to be furnished with the best the people could give, and what was connected with worship was to be treated as sacred and made pure and tasteful. The tabernacle's construction required exactness, skill, wisdom, and perfection according to the pattern God showed Moses. That standard of exactness and perfection applies to every kind of work in God's service. God called for such gifts both for the good of the givers and to sustain His service.
The gold and silver are His, and even souls and bodies belong to Him, and He could have furnished the means without asking any sacrifice, but He has never worked that way. He gives every soul a share in the blessing that comes from returning to Him what is His own, and the people wanted a part in that blessing. The same call applies to making freewill offerings to purchase property for schools where youth are educated to go forth as missionaries.