THE PEOPLEINVITEDTOBRINGGIFTS, ANDASSISTINTHEWORKOFTHETABERNACLE. Having warned the Israelites against breaches of the sabbath, Moses proceeded to enumerate the offerings which God had said that they might bring (Exo_35:4-9), and the works which he had required to be constructed (Exo_35:10-19). In the former enumeration, he follows exactly the order and wording of the Divine command to himself, as recorded in Exo_25:3-7; in the latter, he changes the order, mentioning first the building, with its component parts (Exo_25:11), then the contents of the building (Exo_25:12-15), then the court with its contents (Exo_25:16, Exo_25:17) together with some details which had been omitted in the former account (Exo_25:18), and finally the holy garments (Exo_25:19). After hearing him, the people returned to their several tents (Exo_25:20).
Exo_35:5-10
Correspond to Exo_25:2-7, the correspondence in the list of offerings being exact.
Exo_35:11
On the tabernacle, see Exo_26:1-6; on the tent, Exo_26:7-13; on the covering, Exo_26:14; the boards, Exo_26:15-25; the bars, Exo_26:26-29; the pillars, Exo_26:32-37; and the sockets, Exo_26:19, Exo_26:21, Exo_26:25, Exo_26:32, and Exo_26:37. The enumeration comprises all the main parts of which the tabernacle consisted.
Exo_35:12
On the ark and the staves thereof, see Exo_25:10-15; on the mercy-seat, Exo_25:17-22; on the vail of the covering, see Exo_26:31.
Exo_35:13
On the table and its appurtenances, see Exo_25:23-30.
Exo_35:14
For the candlestick, its furniture, and its lamps, compare Exo_25:31-39.
Exo_35:15
The incense altar. See Exo_30:1-10. His staves. See Exo_30:5. The anointing oil is described in the same chapter, Exo_30:23-25; the sweet incense in Exo_30:34, Exo_30:35; the hangingsfor the door in Exo_26:36.
Exo_35:16
Is a reference to Exo_27:1-8, Exo_30:18-21.
Exo_35:17
Is a reference to Exo_27:9-18.
Exo_35:18
The pins of the tabernacle and the court had not been previously mentioned. They must be regarded as tent-pegs, whereto were attached the cords which kept taut the covering of the tent over the tabernacle, and which steadied the pillars whereto the hangings of the court were fastened.
Exo_35:19
The cloths of service. See the comment on Exo_31:10.
HOMILETICS
On the symbolism of the Tabernacle and its parts, see the Homiletics on Exo_25:10-39; Exo_26:1-37.; Exo_27:1-8; and Exo_30:1-10. On the symbolism of the anointing oil and the holy incense, see the Homiletics on Exo_30:23-28.
Exo_35:5-19
The duty and privilege of making offerings to God.
That God allows us to offer to him of his own, and accepts such offerings as free gifts, is one of his many gracious condescensions. It is the part of all ministers to give opportunity for such offerings—to encourage them, suggest them, elicit them. Moses now summoned "all the congregation of the children of Israel," that he might give to all, without partiality or favouritism, the opportunity for a good action, which would obtain its due reward. Doubtless he pointed out that the object was one for the glory of God and the edification of his people—no less an object than the substitution for that poor "tent of meeting," which he had extemporised on the morrow of his first descent from Sinai (Exo_33:7), of a glorious structure, Of the richest materials, designed by God himself, worthy of him, and suited to intensify and spiritualise the devotions of all worshippers. It was fit that the structure should, if possible, be raised by means of the free gifts of the faithful. For this Moses now, like a faithful minister of Christ, made appeal to all. In doing so, he pointed out the two modes in which such offerings may be made.
I.OFFERINGSMAYBEMADEBYTHEASSIGNMENTTOASACREDUSEOFAPORTIONOF OURSUBSTANCE. All who had gold, silver, brass, blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goat's hair, etc; were invited to contribute out of their abundance to the erection of the new sanctuary. It was especially urged that, if they did so, it should be with "a willing heart" (Exo_35:1)—"not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver" (2Co_9:7). Such a mode of offering is open to those only who have property of some kind or other, and is especially suited to the rich and well-to-do classes; and it was no doubt the wealthy who at this time chiefly contributed in this way. But, as God is "no respecter of persons," and regards the poor and needy fully as much as those who are of high estate, some further mode of making him an offering is necessary. Note, in this connection, that—
II.OFFERINGSMAYBEMADEBYTHEDEVOTIONTOASACREDUSEOFSOMEPORTIONOFOURTIMEANDLABOUR. "Every wise-hearted among you shall come, and make all that the Lord hath commanded" (Exo_35:10). All who had sufficient skill were invited to join in the actual work of preparing and making the various fabrics. Carpenters, weavers, dyers, smiths, embroiderers, metallurgists, might contribute their time and work, and so make an offering to God as acceptable as that of the gold or jewels of the wealthy. Even poor women, whose only skill was to spin thread with their hands (Exo_35:25), might "bring that which they had spun," and were accepted as offering worthily. In this way there were few families that might not have their part in the work, for spinning was a wide-spread accomplishment. And so, in our own day, whenever any good work is taken in hand, it will always be found that every one who wills can have some part in it—can he]p, by headwork or by handiwork, to effect the end desired. And the value of such participation is quite equal to that rendered by rich contributors, at any rate, in the sight of God. For observe, the women who spun goat's hair are placed side by side with the "rulers" who "brought onyx stones," and costly spices, and jewels to be set in the high-priest's breastplate (Exo_35:26-28).
HOMILIES BY J. ORR
Verse 4-36:8
Gifts and workers.
Learn from this section that the Lord's work requires—
I.LIBERALGIVERS. Almost everything needed for the sanctuary was provided by the free gifts of the people. What was required was readily forthcoming. The only exception to the voluntariness of the givings was the half-shekel of atonement money (Exo_30:11-17; Exo_38:25, Exo_38:26). These givings, which may well be made the model of our own, were:
1. Willing—"Every one whose heart stirred him up, and whom his spirit made willing" (Exo_36:21). The Lord "loveth a cheerful giver" (2Co_9:7).
2. According to ability. Each gave as he was able (Exo_36:23-29). The princes gave costly gifts. Others brought silver and brass. Others gave wood. Those who could not give anything else gave work (Exo_36:25, Exo_36:26).
3. Universal. All classes gave. The princes, the people, young and old, men and women.
4. Overflowing. So zealous was the spirit of the people, and so abundant were their gifts, that they had in the end to be restrained (Exo_36:5-7). When will a like liberality be manifested in the cause of Christ? Liberal givings are needed. There is still much land to be possessed at home. Heathen lands are opening to the Gospel.
5. It sufficed for the work (Exo_36:7). Thus would God teach us that it is his will that his work should be supported by the voluntary contributions of his people.
6. The giving was made an act of worship—" Every man that offered, offered an offering (lit. a wave-offering) of gold unto the Lord" (Exo_36:22). "Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the Lord's offering" (Exo_36:24). This is the true spirit of religious giving. The humblest offering, thus presented, will not fail of acceptance. Cf. the widow with her two mites (Mar_12:41-44).
II.WILLINGWORKERS (Exo_36:1, Exo_36:2). The work, like the giving, was hearty. Those only were asked to engage in this work whose hearts stirred them up to do it. God desires no other kind of workers.
III.DIVERSEGIFTS. These were needed for the different parts of the work. The man who made the "pin" (Exo_36:18) was as truly a worker in God's service, as Bezaleel, who drew the plans. He had his own gift and use.
IV.THEWISDOMOFTHESPIRIT. "He hath filled him with the spirit of God" (Exo_36:31). "Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart," etc. (Exo_36:35).—J.O.