And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.
All the congregation of ... Israel ... No exciting harangues were made, nor had the people Bibles at home in which they could compare the requirements of their leader and see if these things were so. But they had no doubt as to his bearing to them the will of God; and they were impressed with so strong a sense of its being their duty, that they made a spontaneous offer of the best and most valuable treasures they possessed.
Verse 21. Every one whose heart stirred him. One powerful element, doubtless, of this extraordinary open-hearted liberality was the remembrance of their recent transgression, which made them "zealous of good works" (cf. 2 Corinthians 7:11). But along with this motive there were others of a higher and nobler kind-a principle of love to God and devotedness to His service, an anxious desire to secure the benefit of His presence, and gratitude for the tokens of His divine favour. It was under the combined influence of these considerations that the people were so willing and ready to pour their contributions into that exchequer of the sanctuary.
Every one whom his spirit made willing. Human nature is always the same; and it is implied, that while an extraordinary spirit of pious liberality reigned in the bosoms of the people at large, there were exceptions-some who were too fond of the world, who loved their possessions more than their God, and who could not part with these-no, not for the service of the tabernacle.