And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said unto them, These are the words which the Lord hath commanded, that ye should do them.
Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the Lord: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.
Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day.
And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the Lord commanded, saying,
Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the Lord; gold, and silver, and brass,
And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair,
And rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins, and shittim wood,
And oil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for the sweet incense,
And onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod, and for the breastplate.
And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that the Lord hath commanded;
The tabernacle, his tent, and his covering, his taches, and his boards, his bars, his pillars, and his sockets,
The ark, and the staves thereof, with the mercy seat, and the vail of the covering,
The table, and his staves, and all his vessels, and the shewbread,
The candlestick also for the light, and his furniture, and his lamps, with the oil for the light,
And the incense altar, and his staves, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the door at the entering in of the tabernacle,
The altar of burnt offering, with his brasen grate, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,
The hangings of the court, his pillars, and their sockets, and the hanging for the door of the court,
The pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of the court, and their cords,
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.
And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.
And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.
And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the Lord.
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.
Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the Lord’s offering: and every man, with whom was found shittim wood for any work of the service, brought it.
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 whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats’ hair.
And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate;
And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.
The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the Lord had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.
And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the Lord hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;
And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;
And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.
And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.
Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.
Exodus 35 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, transitioning from divine instructions to tangible action. Having received detailed blueprints for the tabernacle and its furnishings, Moses prepares to communicate God's vision to the Israelites, setting the stage for the construction of the sanctuary. This chapter beautifully intertwines the themes of Sabbath observance, willing offering, and divinely appointed leadership, revealing profound truths about God's character and His relationship with His people.
Remembering the Sabbath (Exodus 35:1-3)
Before embarking on the ambitious project of building the tabernacle, Moses first reminds the Israelites of the importance of the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 emphasizes that six days are designated for labor, followed by a Sabbath of complete rest dedicated to the LORD. This reminder underscores a crucial principle: even in the midst of sacred work, rest and devotion to God must take precedence. The Sabbath is not merely a day off, but a consecrated time to acknowledge God as Creator and Sustainer, a principle applicable to all areas of life.
A Call to Generosity (Exodus 35:4-29)
With the foundation of Sabbath observance laid, Moses calls upon the Israelites to contribute willingly to the construction of the tabernacle. He invites "everyone whose heart is willing" to bring the necessary materials (Exodus 35:5). He meticulously outlines the items needed, encompassing everything from precious metals and fabrics to skilled labor (Exodus 35:5-8, 35:10-19, referencing details from Exodus 25:1–28:43).
The response is remarkable. Exodus 35:21 states, "everyone whose heart was moved and whose spirit prompted him came and brought an offering to the LORD." This highlights the critical role of a willing heart in acts of service and giving. God desires cheerful givers, not those who give out of compulsion. As 2 Corinthians 9:7 reminds us, "God loves a cheerful giver." The Israelites' enthusiastic response demonstrates a deep desire to participate in God's plan and a recognition of His provision. This act of sacrificial giving underscores the principle that God's work is to be supported by God's people.
Divinely Appointed Leadership (Exodus 35:30-35)
Moses then announces God's specific selection of Bezalel and Oholiab to lead the skilled artisans in constructing the sanctuary (Exodus 35:30–36:1, connecting back to Exodus 31:1-6). These individuals were not chosen based on their own merit alone, but by God's direct appointment and empowerment. Moses summons Bezalel, Oholiab, and the others, commissioning them in their work. Exodus 36:2 highlights that "the LORD had placed wisdom in their hearts." This emphasizes that their abilities were gifts from God, to be used as good stewards in His service. Their craftsmanship was not simply a job, but an act of worship, a tangible expression of their devotion to God.
The story of Bezalel and Oholiab reminds us that God equips individuals with unique gifts and talents for specific purposes within His kingdom. Recognizing and utilizing these gifts is essential for building up the church and advancing God's work in the world.
Overflowing Generosity (Referencing Exodus 36:6-7)
The narrative extends beyond Exodus 35 to reveal an extraordinary outcome of the people's generosity. Exodus 36:6-7 recounts that the Israelites gave so abundantly that Moses had to restrain them from giving more, because "the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more." This is a powerful testament to the transformative power of a willing heart and a spirit of generosity. It serves as a compelling example of how God can use the willing offerings of His people to accomplish His purposes beyond measure. This is a challenging question for modern churches: How often do we see such overflowing generosity that leaders have to ask people to stop giving?
Exodus 35 reveals the practical steps taken to bring God's vision of the tabernacle to life. It demonstrates the importance of Sabbath observance, the power of willing offering, and the necessity of divinely appointed leadership. These elements combined to create a sacred space where God could dwell among His people. The principles found in this chapter remain relevant today, guiding us in our own efforts to serve God and build His kingdom.
And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said unto them, These are the words which the Lord hath commanded, that ye should do them.
Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the Lord: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.
Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day.
And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the Lord commanded, saying,
Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the Lord; gold, and silver, and brass,
And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair,
And rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins, and shittim wood,
And oil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for the sweet incense,
And onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod, and for the breastplate.
And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that the Lord hath commanded;
The tabernacle, his tent, and his covering, his taches, and his boards, his bars, his pillars, and his sockets,
The ark, and the staves thereof, with the mercy seat, and the vail of the covering,
The table, and his staves, and all his vessels, and the shewbread,
The candlestick also for the light, and his furniture, and his lamps, with the oil for the light,
And the incense altar, and his staves, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the door at the entering in of the tabernacle,
The altar of burnt offering, with his brasen grate, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,
The hangings of the court, his pillars, and their sockets, and the hanging for the door of the court,
The pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of the court, and their cords,
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.
And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.
And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.
And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the Lord.
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.
Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the Lord’s offering: and every man, with whom was found shittim wood for any work of the service, brought it.
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 whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats’ hair.
And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate;
And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.
The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the Lord had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.
And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the Lord hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;
And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;
And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.
And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.
Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.
Exodus 35 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, transitioning from divine instructions to tangible action. Having received detailed blueprints for the tabernacle and its furnishings, Moses prepares to communicate God's vision to the Israelites, setting the stage for the construction of the sanctuary. This chapter beautifully intertwines the themes of Sabbath observance, willing offering, and divinely appointed leadership, revealing profound truths about God's character and His relationship with His people.
Remembering the Sabbath (Exodus 35:1-3)
Before embarking on the ambitious project of building the tabernacle, Moses first reminds the Israelites of the importance of the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 emphasizes that six days are designated for labor, followed by a Sabbath of complete rest dedicated to the LORD. This reminder underscores a crucial principle: even in the midst of sacred work, rest and devotion to God must take precedence. The Sabbath is not merely a day off, but a consecrated time to acknowledge God as Creator and Sustainer, a principle applicable to all areas of life.
A Call to Generosity (Exodus 35:4-29)
With the foundation of Sabbath observance laid, Moses calls upon the Israelites to contribute willingly to the construction of the tabernacle. He invites "everyone whose heart is willing" to bring the necessary materials (Exodus 35:5). He meticulously outlines the items needed, encompassing everything from precious metals and fabrics to skilled labor (Exodus 35:5-8, 35:10-19, referencing details from Exodus 25:1–28:43).
The response is remarkable. Exodus 35:21 states, "everyone whose heart was moved and whose spirit prompted him came and brought an offering to the LORD." This highlights the critical role of a willing heart in acts of service and giving. God desires cheerful givers, not those who give out of compulsion. As 2 Corinthians 9:7 reminds us, "God loves a cheerful giver." The Israelites' enthusiastic response demonstrates a deep desire to participate in God's plan and a recognition of His provision. This act of sacrificial giving underscores the principle that God's work is to be supported by God's people.
Divinely Appointed Leadership (Exodus 35:30-35)
Moses then announces God's specific selection of Bezalel and Oholiab to lead the skilled artisans in constructing the sanctuary (Exodus 35:30–36:1, connecting back to Exodus 31:1-6). These individuals were not chosen based on their own merit alone, but by God's direct appointment and empowerment. Moses summons Bezalel, Oholiab, and the others, commissioning them in their work. Exodus 36:2 highlights that "the LORD had placed wisdom in their hearts." This emphasizes that their abilities were gifts from God, to be used as good stewards in His service. Their craftsmanship was not simply a job, but an act of worship, a tangible expression of their devotion to God.
The story of Bezalel and Oholiab reminds us that God equips individuals with unique gifts and talents for specific purposes within His kingdom. Recognizing and utilizing these gifts is essential for building up the church and advancing God's work in the world.
Overflowing Generosity (Referencing Exodus 36:6-7)
The narrative extends beyond Exodus 35 to reveal an extraordinary outcome of the people's generosity. Exodus 36:6-7 recounts that the Israelites gave so abundantly that Moses had to restrain them from giving more, because "the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more." This is a powerful testament to the transformative power of a willing heart and a spirit of generosity. It serves as a compelling example of how God can use the willing offerings of His people to accomplish His purposes beyond measure. This is a challenging question for modern churches: How often do we see such overflowing generosity that leaders have to ask people to stop giving?
Exodus 35 reveals the practical steps taken to bring God's vision of the tabernacle to life. It demonstrates the importance of Sabbath observance, the power of willing offering, and the necessity of divinely appointed leadership. These elements combined to create a sacred space where God could dwell among His people. The principles found in this chapter remain relevant today, guiding us in our own efforts to serve God and build His kingdom.