Preparations for a Dwelling Fit for the LORD

1. The call to keep sabbath, 35:1-3.

Having gathered the congregation of the sons of Israel, Moses — his face radiant from God’s presence — speaks to them. Moses gives the divine command regarding the observance of the Sabbath. It is from the LORD, emphasizing that it is He who is the ruler of the sabbath. Later, our Lord Jesus says,

Matthew 12:8 NASB95

“For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

The phrase “the LORD has commanded” occurs in similar form five times in our text emphasizing that all that was described was not a scheme of Moses, but the design and plan of God.

The focus on keeping the sabbath day was a serious business for Israel. The sabbath was a complete day of rest; a reminder that God is with them and He can be trusted to take care of His people; a time to thank Him for who He is, a time to to worship Him without distraction. This rest was to be the dominant characteristic of Israel’s life with God.

We would point out that this rest is essential, but so is work. “For six days work may be done.”

“If God were our motive, it would do away with much flesh in our service.”

Colossians 3:23 NASB95

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,

What does keeping the sabbath look like? It is possible that verse 3 illustrates an example of what it means to not work; in other words, this may be an example of what is meant by a precept, since it is not a part of the 4th commandment to keep the sabbath.

2. The command to build the tabernacle of God, 35:4-20.

Having communicated the Lord’s command to keep the sabbath, Moses now gives another command from the LORD. This command emphasizes that what follows is God’s plan, and His plan is to include His people to support and to use their skills for His plan.

This demonstrates that the LORD has forgiven the people of Israel for their sin and once again seeks to dwell among them.

The LORD has commanded first that there be ...

A. A contribution of goods to build the tabernacle, 34:4-9.

The people are to bring a freewill offering to the LORD (“whoever is of a willing heart”). Their contribution enables them to participate in God’s work, His plan and, in this case, not with money but with the necessary goods to build the tabernacle.

The goods requested are (broadly) metal, cloth, leather, wood, oil, spices, and precious and semi-precious jewel stones. At least one commentary (Duane Garrett) suggests three categories to cover all the items being requested:

A Commentary on Exodus: Commentary 35:4–9

The first group includes what in the ancient world was almost a form of currency, precious metals and fabric or clothing (see Judg. 14:19, where Samson, using clothing as currency, pays what he owes on a bet). As such, these items would have been given to the Israelites by the Egyptians at the time of the exodus, as the text indicates (Exod. 12:35). A second group consists of items that could have been locally manufactured by the Israelites themselves. Yarn or thread, for example, could be spun from wool (35:25). A third group included items that may have been subject to spoilage, or would have been difficult to carry in large quantities, or would have simply been too exotic for the Israelites to have on hand. In these categories would be the “tahash leather and acacia wood and oil [suitable] for lighting and spices [suitable] for the anointing oil,” as well as perhaps certain dyes for the yarn. These materials were possibly purchased from the Midianites. Everything in the list would have been of high value; the Israelites were not to build the Tent of Meeting from cheap materials.

Thes contributions were purposed for God’s tabernacle and everything that pertained to it; it is “the LORD’s contribution.” It could not, would not be used for anything else.

The LORD also gave...

B. A call for workers to build the tabernacle, 35:10-20.

God required His people to participate in the construction of His tabernacle. To that end He called for “every skillful man among you come and make all that the LORD has commanded.” The “skillful man” is literally, the man “wise of heart.” The imagery here underscores that the “heart” in the OT is not primarily the center of raw emotion but rather the core of the personality, encompassing intellect, feeling , and will. To have true skill involves all of these.

As the goods begin to be received, the work can begin.

The list that follows includes both the elements of the tabernacle and the priestly garments. The order given her is different than the order from Exodus 25-31. (The ark is first in the list beginning in Exodus 25; the Tabernacle tent is first in Exodus 35).

Now the people knew what the goods were for and how they could participate in the work, so they left Moses to do their part. And did they ever...

3. The “spirited” response of the people to the call, 35:21-29.

In verse 21 and in the verses following, the phrases “whose heart stirred him” and “whose spirit moved him” occur repeatedly, expressing the good attitude of the people to do what has been commanded. They came as soon as they could gather their contributions to bring them before Moses.

Not everyone gave the same thing, but each one gave gifts as each was enabled.

“Both men and women came and brought...,” v. 22 (sources for gold).

“Every man who had in his possession … brought them,” v. 23 (cloth, leather).

“Everyone who could make a contribution .. brought the LORD’s contribution,” v. 24 (silver, bronze).

“Every man who had in his possession … brought it,” v. 24 (wood).

“All the skilled women … brought what they had spun,” v. 25 (sources of cloth).

“All the women whose heart stirred with a skill spun…, “ v. 26 (sources of cloth).

“The rulers (!) brought,” v. 27-28 (precious and semi-precious jewelry stones, spices, oil).

Note this: God does not expect you to give what you do not have, but if you have the skills, the wealth or the possessions, then you are expected to give accordingly to Him.

All gave without any gimmicks or door prizes, raffle tickets, bazaars, no offer of names engraved on various pieces of furniture, or promises of plaques with your name hanging in conspicuous places.

The point is that these gifts of goods were given willingly. That’s what God wants: a willing heart.

4. The call of Bezalel, Oholiab and others to the work, 34:21-35:3.

As the LORD had told Moses, now Moses tells the people that He has provided a special, gifted person to lead in the work: Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.

Specifically, Bezalel’s calling was divine, sourced in the LORD called him by name out of the hundreds of thousands in the camp. Bezalel’s calling was also distinct: verse 2 tells us he would do very specialized work as well as general oversight.

God has called Bezalel, God has also enabled him. God has enabled Bezalel adequately: the LORD “has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge and in all craftsmanship,” tying together spiritual enablement and God-given abilities to do the work.

God enabled Bezalel appropriately; his abilities fit what God had called him to do in this great work.

God enabled Bezalel academically; he not only knew his stuff, he also could teach and communicate effectively to train others. But he didn’t have to do it all by himself.

God also had called Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. The LORD gave Oholiab to assist Bezalel, both gifted in the same areas, so he could give true help and assistance in doing the work and training others in their part of the work.

Chapter 36:1 points to Bezalel and Oholiab as the chief of the craftsmen, and every other skillful person as being gifted for the work, the source of their ability being the LORD! When God calls you, He gives you the gifts and talents you need to fulfill His calling! Now it comes down to obedience: “ shall perform in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded.” The work shall be done God’s way, according to His plan, with His provision of goods and faithful, willing workers.

The people had supplied willingly and abundantly for the goods needed to construct the tabernacle. With supply in hand,Moses now calls them to the work. They could not begin the work until the goods were supplied. But with all that was needed having been supplied, efficient work could begin.

Note here that all that was supplied was to be used for the tabernacle. The beginning of a problem emerges when the people did not stop bringing freewill offerings to Moses. Not dealt with properly, this abundance could be turned to selfish purposes.

When God gives abundantly to us, we need to ask service for Him are we to do with what He has given us.

5. The command to cease giving, 36:4-7.

What we see in these verses is different! This is a problem of “too much?” Today it is usual a problem of too little in the church.

What motivated such an outpouring of freewill giving? What emotions may have been running through their minds?

relief — They were still alive! They had been forgiven their treachery in worshipping a molten calf of gold.

gratitude — God was still willing to “dwell” in their midst, even though they had treated Him contemptuously.

awe — they saw firsthand how dangerous it was to treat the LORD inappropriately.

wonder — the radiance of Moses’face reflecting the glory of the LORD.

These considerations and more stirred their hearts and moved their spirits to give abundantly, not grudgingly, because it was spiritually motivated acts of worship from a people who had received compassion, mercy and grace from their God. The basis of our giving for God’s work today is the same (see also 2 Cor. 9:7). And who can out-give God?

They sought ways to give back to God. The workmen had to ask Moses to speak to the people. So Moses did, commanding the giving to stop! When have you ever seen people restrained from giving because there was too much money? These gifts were described in verse 7 as “sufficient” and “more than enough” to do all that was needed for the tabernacle.

That is quite a contrast to today, where much of God’s work is not done properly because the people do not give enough!

Let’s finally look at a comparison between chapter 32, the golden calf incident, and what we see in this section, in preparation to start building the tabernacle:

First, chapter 32 illustrates the work of man (in this case Aaron, driven by the desires of the people: “Make for us”). In chapter 35, the tabernacle is the LORD’s work: “He has commanded” and He has given the necessary skills to accomplish.

Second , Aaron fashions the object of worship. Chapter 35 many different people are involved, specifically chosen and gifted by the LORD, who could do the work.

Third, Aaron commanded the people to give, and the people gave in order to get back something from a god they created. Chapter 35 shows us that everyone had something to give to the LORD for the LORD’s work to express their worship of Him.