The Work Begins and the Offerings Pour In (Exodus 36:2-7).
This can be analysed as follows:
a The expert trained men who were stirred up by Yahweh are called by Moses to begin the work (Exodus 36:2).
b They receive the gifts from Moses which had been give for the work of the Sanctuary (Exodus 36:3 a)
c Freewill offerings are brought every morning (Exodus 36:3 b)
d The skilful men who are doing the work which Yahweh has commanded them to make come to Moses (Exodus 36:4).
c They declare that the people are bringing too much (Exodus 36:5).
b Moses proclaims that no one is to make any more offerings to the Sanctuary (Exodus 36:6 a).
a The people refrain, for the stuff was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much (Exodus 36:6-7).
We note that in ‘a' the experts begin the work, and in the parallel there is more than sufficient to do the work. In ‘b' gifts are received by the Sanctuary, and in the parallel gifts to the Sanctuary are to cease. In ‘c' freewill offerings are brought every morning and in the parallel they are too much. And central in ‘d' is the activity of the skilful workmen who are obeying the commands of Yahweh.
The Skilled Overseers Are Set To Work with Their Helpers (Exodus 36:2-3).
‘And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab, and every man of expertise, in whose heart Yahweh had put technical knowledge, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come to the work to do it: and they received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, with which to make it. And also they brought to him freewill-offerings every morning.'
Moses then set Bezalel and Oholiab to work, and all their skilled assistants who had been willing to provide their services, and gave them what the people had brought for the making of the Sanctuary, and the freewill offerings that the people continued to bring each day.
The Complaint That The People Are Giving Too Much (Exodus 36:4-7).
‘And all the experts, who wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they did, and they spoke to Moses, saying, “The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which Yahweh commanded us to make.” '
So generous were the people that the skilful workmen had to call a halt to their giving through Moses. They were giving overmuch, and there was too much material around which was probably hindering the work (all the skilful workmen complained). At least in this the people were showing their repentance for the past and hearts now overflowing with gratitude to Yahweh.
‘And Moses gave an order, 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.” So the people were restrained from bringing. For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.'
So Moses gave the order that no more gifts be brought for the work on the Dwellingplace, because they had sufficient. Clearly the people were delighted that Yahweh still consented to make a home among them, and their generosity was overflowing. And there was no shortage of materials for what had already been given was quite sufficient and to spare.