Paul Kretzmann Commentary - Exodus 36:1 - 36:7

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Paul Kretzmann Commentary - Exodus 36:1 - 36:7


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The Gifts Exceed the Needs

v. 1. Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab and every wise-hearted man in whom the Lord put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the Lord had commanded. That was their calling, and in this calling they proved themselves willing.

v. 2. And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab 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,
to offer his talents for the service of the Lord;

v. 3. 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.
That was the first great collection of gold, metals, and all other materials of which the artists stood in need for the work entrusted to them. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning. The enthusiasm was no mere straw-fire, but it lasted in a steady glow.

v. 4. And all the wise men that wrought all the work of the Sanctuary,
the artists engaged in their labor of love, came every man from his work which they made, after they had carefully estimated the amount of material needed;

v. 5. and they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which the Lord commanded to make.
The material offered by the people was far in excess of the needs of the work.

v. 6. And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the Sanctuary.
Moses did not even wait to summon a meeting, but had a crier pass through the camp with a message restraining the eagerness of the people. So the people were restrained from bringing.

v. 7. For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much;
even with a lavish use of material there would be some remaining. The willingness of the children of Israel at this time is a shining example to the believers of the New Testament and a spur to many so-called Christians, who are very often unwilling to offer to the Lord even their surplus.