EXODUS – Chapter 35 – Chapter 462
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE THE WILLING OFFERINGS OF THE PEOPLE
Moses returns with the good news that the sins of the people are forgiven and Yahweh has consented in mercy to renew His covenant with the nation. They respond with hearty willingness to the request for materials to construct the tabernacle. All classes co-operate to that end. The rulers bring gems; the more wealthy offer their gold, silver and copper; others provide blue, purple, scarlet, fine twined linen; the poorer gather the shittim wood; the women give up their copper mirrors, and labour with their spinning wheels in manufacturing linen thread. All are united in the common work of the Lord, and all are drawn closer together as a result. The one condition, applying to all, is that whatever is given must be done with "a willing heart" (v. 5). That attitude sanctifies the gift (whether it be gold or wood) as acceptable to Yahweh. Paul makes the point that "God loveth a cheerful giver" (2Cor. 9:7). In endorsing this statement, the apostle observes that "he which soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully" (v. 6). Let us show a bountiful willingness in the service of Yahweh, and our reaping will be likewise.
DEDICATION ACCOMPLISHED Tabernacle Completed
Chapters 35:1 to 40:38
Our Introduction shows that each of the six sections of Exodus is divided into three parts, in which something is [1] Proposed; [2] Restricted; and finally [3] Accomplished. Chapter 35 commences the final section of the sixth division. Through the mediatorial services of Moses, the people are forgiven their lapse, and Yahweh agrees to return to them in favour. On the basis of this forgiveness and the proclamation of a renewed covenant, the people are moved to respond by giving their wealth to the building of the tabernacle. They do so with such enthusiasm that there is a need, finally, for them to be restrained. Appointed workmen give their labour with equal enthusiasm to the construction of the sacred tent with the result that it is soon completed and inspected by Moses for worship. Everything is approved, everything put in its place, and an expectant people watch as Yahweh's glory, covered by a cloud, enters into His dwelling place in the midst of the nation.
All this is typical of Yahweh's future purpose as outlined in prophecy. Through the mediatorial services of the antitypical Moses, the Lord Jesus Christ, the sin of natural Israel is to be washed away (Rom. 11:26; Micah 7:19-20), and the nation received back into favour through the terms of a new covenant (Jer. 31:31-34). The result will be that the people will "show themselves willing" in the day of the Lord's power (Psa. 110:3) as they did under Moses. Moreover, that day will witness once more "the sanctuary in the midst of Israel," for "My tabernacle also shall be with them; yea, I will be their God, and they shall be My people" (Eze. 37:27).
Therefore, contained within the chapters before us, are both instruction concerning the form of worship decreed by Yahweh, as well as a foreshadowing of His future purpose.
The Spiritual Obligations Of The People — vv. 1-3.
VERSE 1
The people are reminded of some of the terms necessary in regard to the renewal of the covenant. Foremost is the
sabbath observance. They must learn that there is a need to rest from their own works and dedicate time to doing the will of Yahweh.
"And Moses gathered all the congre-gation of the children of Israel together" — The word for "congregation" is edah, the feminine form of ed, "witness." The nation was treated as Yahweh's Bride (Isa. 54:5). Ezekiel takes up the same figure of speech, and describes how the foundling child in Egypt grew up tobecome a bride (Eze. 16:6-14). Yahweh is represented as saying: "Yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord Yahweh, and thou becamest Mine" (v. 8). "Thy Maker," declared Isaiah, "is thine husband" (Isa. 54:5). Israel in covenant relationship with God, was as the ecclesia today is in its relationship to the Lord (2Cor. 11:1-2).
"And said unto them, These are the words" — The Hebrew is dabarim, "the words." See note, Exo. 34:28.
"Which Yahweh hath commanded thee that ye should do them" — For the Hebrew tsavah, see previous notes.
VERSE 2
"Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day" — Or, as the margin, "It shall be holiness," or a day of separateness.
"A sabbath of rest" — See note, Exo. 16:22-26.
"To Yahweh" — See the instruction of Isa. 58:13. The day was to be dedicated to Yahweh.
"Whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death" — Death was the penalty for violating the sabbath, and death will be the fate of all who rest not from the works of flesh: the significance of the true sabbath (see Heb. 4:3).
VERSE 3
"Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day” — See note, Exo. 16:23. This seemingly trivial appendage to the sabbath law, relating to the cooking, boiling, or roasting of food, showed how meticulously the law was to be kept.
Free Gifts Solicited For The Tabernacle — vv. 4-19.
The people are invited to make their voluntary offerings for the construction of the tabernacle.
VERSE 4
"And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which Yahwehcommanded, saying" — For "congregation" see note v. 1. "Thing" in Hebrew is dabar, and denotes "word" or "matter."
VERSE 5
"Take ye from among you an offering unto Yahweh" — The word "offering" is terumah, "heave offering" or "contribution." See note, Exo. 25:2.
"Whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of Yahweh; gold, and silver, and brass" — See Paul's allusion in 2Cor. 5:12. Note the three commands given: [1] Take an offering of Israel for Yahweh; [2] Let those of a willing heart bring gold, silver, copper, blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goat's hair, red rams' skins, badger skins, shittim wood, oil, spices and precious stones (vv. 5-9); [3] Let the wise-hearted come and make the tabernacle, its furniture, the shewbread, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, cloths of service, and garments for the priests (vv. 10-19).
VERSES 6-9
These verses are a repetition of Exo. 25:3-7 (see notes).
VERSE 10
"And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that Yahweh hath commanded" — Natural ability was used in the service of Yahweh. See note, Exo. 28:3.
VERSE 11
"The tabernacle, his tent, and his covering, his taches, and his boards, his bars, his pillars, and his sockets" — As listed in Exo. 26:1-30.
VERSE 12
"The ark, and the staves thereof, with the mercy seat, and the vail of the covering" — See notes, Exo. 25:10-16; 26:31-33.
VERSE 13
"The table, and his staves, and all his vessels, and the shewbread" — See notes, Exo. 25:25-30.
VERSE 14
"The candlestick also for the light, and his furniture, and his lamps, with the oil for the light" — See notes, Exo. 25:31-39; 27:20.
VERSE 15
"And the incense altar, and his staves, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the door at the entering of the tabernacle" - See notes, Exo. 30:1-10, 23-25, 34-35; 26:36.
VERSE 16"
The altar of burnt offering, with his brasen grate, his staves, and all his vessels" — See note, Exo. 27:1-8.
"The laver and his foot" — See notes, Exo. 30:18-21.
VERSE 17
"The hangings of the court, his pillars, and their sockets, and the hanging for the door of the court" — See notes, Exo. 27:9-18.
VERSE 18
"The pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of the court, and their cords" — No previous mention has been made of these. They were evidently the tent pegs to which were attached the cords holding the covering of the tent over the tabernacle, helping to firm the pillars to which the hangings of the court were fastened.
VERSE 19
"The cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office" — See the comments on Exo. 31:10.
The People Willingly Respond — vv. 20-29.
Moved by Yahweh}s grace in forgiving their lapse by restoring the covenant, the people respond with enthusiastic willingness to the command of Moses. The nation reaches a high point of spiritual keenness as the people occupy their time in gathering materials for the tabernacle. A joyfulactivity and sense of objectiveness permeates the whole nation. The camp rings with happiness, excitement and praise of Yahweh as the people give themselves to the work.
VERSE 20
"And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses" — "Congregation" is mowade in Hebrew, and denotes a meeting, at a set time. Rotherham renders: "So all the assembly of the sons of Israel went forth." The phrase indicates that the meeting dispersed in order to prepare the offerings.
VERSE 21
"And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing" — The people seem to have departed from the presence of Moses in order to consider the proposition. If so, the subsequent response was gratifying. Having considered the goodness of God towards them, they were moved to respond as described.
"And they brought Yahweh's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation" — Rotherham renders "to the work" as "for the construction of the tent of Meeting." The people brought their offerings to Moses for that purpose.
"And for all his service, and for the holy garments" — In this statement, the personal pronoun "his" is better rendered in the neuter gender as "its."
VERSE 22
"And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted" — Willingness of heart makes a gift great in the sight of God: "For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not" (2Cor. 8:12).The hearts of the people were stirred by the appeal of Moses, and their spirits made willing by recognizing the greatness of the work before them (v. 21, cp. 2Cor. 9:7); and they gave according to their ability to do so (v. 24). Men were chosen for the work of the tabernacle according to their special skills they were expected to use in such service (vv. 30-35; cp. 1Pet. 4:10-11). Accordingly, these gifts for Yahweh:
[1] Originated in a willing heart — Exo. 35:21-22,26.
[2] Were supplied according to the ability of the giver to do so — Exo. 35:10,24-25,35; 36:1-4.
[3] Resulted in abundance — Exo. 36:5-7.
Exhortations to enthusiastic and willing service to the Lord are set forth negatively and positively in Hag. 1:6-15; Mal. 3:8-11; 1Cor. 15:58.
"And brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered an offering of gold unto Yahweh" — Such ornaments were worn by men as well as by women in those times (Exo. 3:22) Indeed, some had been used to construct the golden calf (Exo. 32:2), but others now brought forth their ornaments for the construction of the tabernacle.
As indicated in the R.V., this included bracelets or broaches, rings or signet-rings, tablets or armlets. It was the willingness with which this was offered that was pleasing unto Yahweh.
In the Law of Moses, p. 96, Bro. Roberts writes: "God has caused a proclamation to be sounded through the world (though its force is now almost spent): 'Speak unto the children of Adam that they bring Me an offering. Of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take My offering... and let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.' The rearing of the sanctuary will not be accomplished till the age to come, but the materials are meanwhile being brought in: 'gold, silver, and precious stones: wood, hay, and stubble.' They will all be inspected at the Judgment Seat, and assorted. When matters have reached this pass — when Christ is actually in the earth, and it is patent to all men that the work of God by him is a reality and not a delusion — there will be sure to be a rush of participants. 'Lord, Lord, open unto us.' But by that time, the number has been made up that is needful for the organization of the Kingdom of God: and we may then see the antitype of what happened in Israel's camp after the issue of the invitation to bring in materials. 'The people brought much more than enough for the service of the work, which the Lord commanded to make. And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man or woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing. For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much' (Exo. 36:5-7).
'"The materials having been brought to Moses, Moses called Bezaleel and Aho-liab, and every wise-hearted man, in whose heart the Lord had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it: and they received of Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal.' And so the work of construction proceeded. 'According to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work. And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the Lord commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them'." (Exo. 39:42-43).
VERSE 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" — See notes, Exo. 25:2-7'.
VERSE 24
"Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought Yahweh's offering: and every man, with whom was found shittim wood for any work of the service brought if — Itwas compulsory for every adult male to pay a half-shekel of silver as redemption money to Yahweh (Exo. 30:11-15) and the amount paid answers exactly to the requirements of the tabernacle (Exo. 38:24-29). The statement before us suggests that some offerings in addition to the stated compulsory rate may have been made voluntarily. If that were the case, the amount of the additional is not supplied, nor are we told as to what was done with it.
VERSE 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" — The term "wise hearted" denotes women who were intelligent as well as being skilful in spinning. The flax itself was dyed, so that the thread produced was coloured already.
VERSE 26
"And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goat's hair" — The expression "whose heart stirred them up in wisdom" implies that special skill was required for spinning goats' hair.
VERSE 27
"And the rulers" — The reference probably is to those leaders appointed as the result of Jethro's suggestion. See Exo. 18:25.
"Brought onyx stones" — Josephus states that only the stone in the breastplate was onyx, whereas those on the shoulders were sardonyx. "Onyx" signifies fingernail. The gem displays layers of different colours which alternate with each other, and bear some resemblance to the white and flesh coloured bands of the fingernail. A sardonyx is more sharply defined with bands of dark red and white. These colors, flashing with the gleam of fire from the sun would suggest the reflection of divine glory which a true Israelite is called upon to manifest. This requires sacrifice (red) and righteousness (white), the colours of the gem.
"And stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate" — It was appropriate that the heads of the tribes should supply these gems, for they representedthe tribes in the breastplate.
VERSE 28
"And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense" — See notes, Exo. 27:20-21; 30:2-38.
VERSE 29
"The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto Yahweh, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which Yahweh had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses" — Note the constant reiteration of the condition of willingness, required for divine acceptance. The people answered to it. There was a willing response and co-operation on the part of all classes of the community. This was pleasing to Yahweh, and mutually stimulating.
What a pity it was not sustained during the wilderness wanderings! The experiences of Israel witness to the need of a consistent and constant manifestation of such characteristics.
Workmen Called To Labour - vv. 30-35.
Outstanding workmen are needed for special labour. This is a principle insisted upon throughout Scripture, and one which should be applied today. The democratic idea that one is as good as another in any field of endeavour is not found therein. When Yahweh wants a particular work to be done, he arranges for unique workmen. Therefore, in constructing the tabernacle, Bezaleel and Aholiab are separated from the congregation and employed to supervise the task because of their outstanding skills. But even outstanding personal ability is not sufficient for the work then in hand. The two men are endowed with the spirit of God to guide them in wisdom, both to perform on their own account, and to educate others in essential labour. So the need of the nation for teachers and labourers is supplied; as it was also when the time later came for ecclesias to be established.