Exodus 35:1-35
This chapter is
divided into four sections, which involves people of a willing heart.
A most remarkable
thing to notice in this chapter is that only those that are willing hearted are
allowed to give toward the necessities of building the tabernacle.
1.
Many times it is
taught that people in the Old Testament had to do certain things,
but that is not the truth.
2.
People in the Old
Testament are exactly like us – we serve God because we want to, not because we
have to.
3.
People in the Old
Testament were not “under the law” as defined by many today.
4.
The law was the
schoolmaster in the Old Testament and it is still the schoolmaster in the New
Testament.
5.
People in the Old
Testament were saved by grace through faith, just like we are saved today.
6.
Some folks today
believe tithing was taught only under the law, and because we are not “under the
law” today, we do not need to tithe.
7.
What is
misunderstood is that tithing was taught before the law of God was
given to Moses on Mt. Sinai, during the time Israel was a nation,
and after Israel went into captivity, and after the
church was instituted by Christ during his own personal ministry.
8.
Tithing is not
“under the law”, but is of grace.
9.
Serving God is never
“under the law”, but always by the mercy and grace of God that he gives us.
Verse 1-3 – The call of God by Moses to the people of Israel and the command to keep the Sabbath day holy unto the Lord.
I.
These verses are a
repeat of the law given in Exodus 20:8-11.
A.
Exodus 20:8-11 does
not mention the penalty of death.
1.
Numbers 15:32
states, “And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found
a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day.”
2.
The time period is
later, giving us evidence that all Israel knew about the prohibition of working
on the Sabbath day.
3.
There is never an
excuse for sin, and sin will always be punished.
II.
The law states: Work
six days.
A.
The seventh day is a
holy day of rest unto the Lord.
B.
Whoever works on
this day shall be put to death.
C.
There shall no fire
be kindled on the Sabbath day.
Verse 4-19 – The
call of God by Moses for the people to bring all the items necessary for the
building of the tabernacle.
I.
Notice the long list
of items that are required for this offering.
A.
See verse 5-9.
B.
Verse 10-19 records
the list of items that must be made.
C.
It is very simple
from looking at this list of items that Israel has a lot of work to do.
D.
Where did Israel get
all these items? Exodus 12:35 states, “And the children of Israel did
according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of
silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:”
1.
God would provide to
Israel from the victory over Egypt so Israel can give a free-will offering to
the Lord.
2.
Please notice again
that only those willing to give would give.
3.
God would require
nothing, but willingness.
Verse 20-29 –
The Israelites respond to the call of God and bring that which is required for
the building of the tabernacle.
A.
The Israelites first
went home, had time to think about what they were doing, and then returned with
the free will offering.
1.
There is no
emotional pressure from Moses for offerings.
2.
I have seen many
preachers put emotional pressure on church members for offerings.
3.
I do not agree with
that kind of pressure.
4.
The kind of pressure
God puts on people is much, much better than any human pressure.
B.
It is interesting to
note that verse 21 mentions two times the people were “stirred”.
1.
“…every one whose
heart stirred him up…”
2.
“…every one whom his
spirit made willing…”
3.
These are different
“stirrings”.
a.
One stirring is from
within the individual.
b.
The other stirring
is from the Holy Spirit of God.
c.
Both of these
stirrings are necessary.
d.
God will move upon
us, but we must also allow him to move within and with us.
e.
There are some folks
who believe in “absolute predestination”, agreeing only that God moves.
They are wrong, of course.
f.
There are some folks
who believe in “freewill of man”, agreeing only that man moves.
They are wrong, of course.
g.
The truth is: God
moves, and we move.
C.
The people brought
the Lord’s offering.
1.
The offering was not
theirs, although it was theirs to give.
2.
We give the Lord’s
tithes to him; they do not belong to us.
3.
The tithe did not
belong to us before we gave it, and it doesn’t belong to us after we give it.
4.
Malachi 3:8,9 – This
is why the Lord accused Israel of robbing him when they did not give him his
tithes and offerings.
D.
The purpose of the
gifts.
1.
These gifts were not
for Moses, although it is right for Israel to supply the material necessities of
Moses and his family.
2.
These gifts are for:
a.
The work of the
tabernacle of the congregation,
b.
For all his service,
c.
And for the holy
garments.
II.
What the Israelites
brought.
A.
Who came?
1.
Men and women.
2.
There is a work for
both men and women in the service of God.
a.
Verse 23 and 24
record the gifts the men brought.
b.
Verse 25 and 26
record the gifts the women brought.
3.
When every person
brings the gift God requires, the whole project is completed correctly.
B.
They brought what
Moses asked.
1.
They did not bring
what they considered right.
2.
They brought only
what Moses asked.
3.
Moses understood
what God wanted the tabernacle built out of, told the people, and it is their
responsibility to bring the proper gift.
a.
Cain knew what the
Lord demanded, but brought the wrong offering, and died for his error.
b.
Abel knew what the
Lord demanded, brought the proper offering, and was murdered for his truth.
C.
Verse 22 – the gifts
of the willing hearted men and women.
1.
Every man that
offered brought gold unto the Lord.
a.
There were no “poor”
willing hearted Israelites.
b.
Every Israelite man
that was willing hearted had gold.
c.
God provided every
willing hearted person with gold, which would be returned to God as a willing
offering.
d.
Each willing hearted
individual who gave would receive much more from giving to the Lord, than they
ever would receive by keeping the gold.
D.
Verse 23-24 – the
willing offering of the men.
E.
Verse 24-25 – the
willing offering of the women.
1.
They did spin with
their hands and brought that which they had spun.
F.
Verse 27-28 – The
willing offering of the rulers.
G.
Verse 29 – There is
enough willing offerings for all the work of building the tabernacle, and all
the things having to do with the tabernacle and the worship of God.
Verse 30-35 – Moses
sets aside Bezaleel and Aholiab for the much of the work of the tabernacle.
A.
God always provides
willing workers when the project is from him.
1.
It was necessary for
Bezaleel to first learn how to do the work.
2.
It is likely
Bezaleel did not know the Lord was leading him in the work of the Lord until
this time.
3.
Often we learn how
to do something, then God reveals to us why we learned it.
B.
Bezaleel and Aholiab
will not do all the work themselves.
1.
Verse 34 records
that God has put into their heart to teach others to do the work.
2.
Bezaleel and Aholiab
will supervise the work, making sure it is done to the specifications of God.
3.
That will be enough
work for them to do.
C.
There is no pride in
Bezaleel or Aholiab.
1.
The Bible records
they are not only willing hearted, but also that the Spirit of God was in them.
2.
They will enjoy
doing the word of God, but will never try to put themselves above Moses or any
other person.
3.
People that are
spirit filled will never try to overstep their God given authority, but will
willing submit to whomever God puts over them.