EXPOSITION
THE PEOPLE INVITED TO BRING GIFTS, AND ASSIST IN THE WORK OF THE TABERNACLE. Having warned the Israelites against breaches of the sabbath, Moses proceeded to enumerate the offerings which God had said that they might bring (Exodus 35:4-2), and the works which he had required to be constructed (Exodus 35:10-2). In the former enumeration, he follows exactly the order and wording of the Divine command to himself, as recorded in Exodus 25:3-2; in the latter, he changes the order, mentioning first the building, with its component parts (Exodus 25:11), then the contents of the building (Exodus 25:12-2), then the court with its contents (Exodus 25:16, Exodus 25:17) together with some details which had been omitted in the former account (Exodus 25:18), and finally the holy garments (Exodus 25:19). After hearing him, the people returned to their several tents (Exodus 25:20).
Correspond to Exodus 25:2, the correspondence in the list of offerings being exact.
On the tabernacle, see Exodus 26:1-2; on the tent, Exodus 26:7-2; on the covering, Exodus 26:14; the boards, Exodus 26:15-2; the bars, Exodus 26:26-2; the pillars, Exodus 26:32-2; and the sockets, Exodus 26:19, Exodus 26:21, Exodus 26:25, Exodus 26:32, and Exodus 26:37. The enumeration comprises all the main parts of which the tabernacle consisted.
On the ark and the staves thereof, see Exodus 25:10-2; on the mercy-seat, Exodus 25:17-2; on the vail of the covering, see Exodus 26:31.
On the table and its appurtenances, see Exodus 25:23-2.
For the candlestick, its furniture, and its lamps, compare Exodus 25:31-2.
The incense altar. See Exodus 30:1-2. His staves. See Exodus 30:5. The anointing oil is described in the same chapter, Exodus 30:23-2; the sweet incense in Exodus 30:34, Exodus 30:35; the hangings for the door in Exodus 26:36.
Is a reference to Exodus 27:1-2, Exodus 30:18-2.
Is a reference to Exodus 27:9-2.
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.
The cloths of service. See the comment on Exodus 31:10.
HOMILETICS
On the symbolism of the Tabernacle and its parts, see the Homiletics on Exodus 25:10-2; Exodus 26:1-2.; Exodus 27:1-2; and Exodus 30:1-2. On the symbolism of the anointing oil and the holy incense, see the Homiletics on Exodus 30:23-2.
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 (Exodus 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. OFFERINGS MAY BE MADE BY THE ASSIGNMENT TO A SACRED USE OF A PORTION OF OUR SUBSTANCE. 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" (Exodus 35:1)—"not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 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. OFFERINGS MAY BE MADE BY THE DEVOTION TO A SACRED USE OF SOME PORTION OF OUR TIME AND LABOUR. "Every wise-hearted among you shall come, and make all that the Lord hath commanded" (Exodus 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 (Exodus 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 (Exodus 35:26-2).
HOMILIES BY J. ORR
Verse 4-36:8
Gifts and workers.
Learn from this section that the Lord's work requires—
I. LIBERAL GIVERS. 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 (Exodus 30:11-2; Exodus 38:25, Exodus 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" (Exodus 36:21). The Lord "loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).
2. According to ability. Each gave as he was able (Exodus 36:23-2). The princes gave costly gifts. Others brought silver and brass. Others gave wood. Those who could not give anything else gave work (Exodus 36:25, Exodus 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 (Exodus 36:5-2). 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 (Exodus 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" (Exodus 36:22). "Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the Lord's offering" (Exodus 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 (Mark 12:41).
II. WILLING WORKERS (Exodus 36:1, Exodus 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. DIVERSE GIFTS. These were needed for the different parts of the work. The man who made the "pin" (Exodus 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. THE WISDOM OF THE SPIRIT. "He hath filled him with the spirit of God" (Exodus 36:31). "Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart," etc. (Exodus 36:35).—J.O.