The building of the tabernacle, described in our Bible reading portion for today (Exodus 35-37) required two vital components: goods and services. First, there was a need for the raw materials from which the tabernacle and all its furnishings were to be made. This included precious metals (gold and silver and bronze), precious stones(onyx), animal skins, spices and ointments, and fine cloth. Second, there was a need for skilled workers, both men and women, who would take these raw materials and create objects of beauty. Some givers gave of their material goods, while many others gave of their skilled abilities. Together, they worked to create a place of great beauty, a place of worship.
Notice these phrases:
- 35:5 whoever is of a generous heart
- 35:10 “Let every skillful craftsman among you come and make all that the Lord has commanded
- 35:21 And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him,
- 35:22 All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the Lord.
- 35:24 Everyone who could make a contribution of silver or bronze brought it as the Lord’s contribution.
- 35:26 All the women whose hearts stirred them to use their skill…
- 35:29 All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the Lord had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the Lord.
- 35:31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship,
- 35:34 And he has inspired him to teach,
- 35:25 He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work….
Are you getting the idea that GOD has gifted each of us with skills and abilities and gifts to be used in His service? This is seen very clearly in the teachings of the New Testament, too. Let us give generously, not only of our money, but of our time and talents that God has lavished on us.
May God inspire us, move us, fill us, stir us, …for His sake and His glory!
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