They came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing, and brought Yahweh’s offering for the work of the Tent of Meeting, and for all of its service, and for the holy garments. They came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and brought brooches, earrings, signet rings, and armlets, all jewels of gold; even every man who offered an offering of gold to Yahweh. Everyone with whom was found blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair, rams’ skins dyed red, and sea cow hides, brought them. Everyone who offered an offering of silver and bronze brought Yahweh’s offering; and everyone with whom was found acacia wood for any work of the service, brought it. All the women who were wise-hearted spun with their hands, and brought that which they had spun: the blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen. All the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun the goats’ hair. The rulers brought the onyx stones and the stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate; with the spice and the oil for the light, for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense. The children of Israel brought a free will offering to Yahweh; every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring for all the work, which Yahweh had commanded to be made by Moses.
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Exodus 35:21-29 sits inside this longer paragraph.
All the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. They came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing, and brought Yahweh’s offering for the work of the Tent of Meeting, and for all of its service, and for the holy garments. They came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and brought brooches, earrings, signet rings, and armlets, all jewels of gold; even every man who offered an offering of gold to Yahweh. Everyone with whom was found blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair, rams’ skins dyed red, and sea cow hides, brought them. Everyone who offered an offering of silver and bronze brought Yahweh’s offering; and everyone with whom was found acacia wood for any work of the service, brought it. All the women who were wise-hearted spun with their hands, and brought that which they had spun: the blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen. All the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun the goats’ hair. The rulers brought the onyx stones and the stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate; with the spice and the oil for the light, for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense. The children of Israel brought a free will offering to Yahweh; every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring for all the work, which Yahweh had commanded to be made by Moses.
Parallel Translations
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They came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing, and brought Yahweh’s offering for the work of the Tent of Meeting, and for all of its service, and for the holy garments.
They came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and brought brooches, earrings, signet rings, and armlets, all jewels of gold; even every man who offered an offering of gold to Yahweh.
Everyone with whom was found blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair, rams’ skins dyed red, and sea cow hides, brought them.
Everyone who offered an offering of silver and bronze brought Yahweh’s offering; and everyone with whom was found acacia wood for any work of the service, brought it.
All the women who were wise-hearted spun with their hands, and brought that which they had spun: the blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen.
All the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun the goats’ hair.
The rulers brought the onyx stones and the stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate;
with the spice and the oil for the light, for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.
The children of Israel brought a free will offering to Yahweh; every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring for all the work, which Yahweh had commanded to be made by Moses.
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And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD’s offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.
And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the LORD.
And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair, and red skins of rams, and badgers’ skins, brought them.
Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the LORD’s offering: and every man, with whom was found shittim wood for any work of the service, brought it.
And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen.
And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats’ hair.
And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate;
And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.
The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.
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And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and brought the LORD'S offering, for the work of the tent of meeting, and for all the service thereof, and for the holy garments.
And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and brought nose-rings, and ear-rings, and signet-rings, and girdles, all jewels of gold; even every man that brought an offering of gold unto the LORD.
And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair, and rams' skins dyed red, and sealskins, brought them.
Every one that did set apart an offering of silver and brass brought the LORD'S offering; and every man, with whom was found acacia-wood for any work of the service, brought it.
And all the women that were wise-hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, the blue, and the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen.
And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun the goats' hair.
And the rulers brought the onyx stones, and the stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate;
and the spice, and the oil, for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.
The children of Israel brought a freewill-offering unto the LORD; every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all the work, which the LORD had commanded by the hand of Moses to be made.
Cross-references (83)
- 2 Corinthians 9:7 (vv21, 29) Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
- Exodus 25:2 (v21) “Speak to the children of Israel, that they take an offering for me. From everyone whose heart makes him willing you shall take my offering.
- Exodus 35:21 (v26) They came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing, and brought Yahweh’s offering for the work of…
- Exodus 35:29 (vv21, 26) The children of Israel brought a free will offering to Yahweh; every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring for all the work,…
- 1 Chronicles 29:6 (vv27, 29) Then the princes of the fathers’ households, and the princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with…
Show all 76 cross-references
- 1 Chronicles 29:14 (vv21, 29) But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from you, and we have given…
- Exodus 35:26 (v21) All the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun the goats’ hair.
- Exodus 36:8 (v26) All the wise-hearted men among those who did the work made the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, blue, purple, and…
- 1 Chronicles 29:8 (v23) People with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of Yahweh’s house, under the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.
- Ezra 2:68 (v27) Some of the heads of fathers’ households, when they came to Yahweh’s house which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for God’s house to set…
- Exodus 30:23-38 (v28) “Also take fine spices: of liquid myrrh, five hundred shekels; and of fragrant cinnamon half as much, even two hundred and fifty; and of…
- Exodus 35:4 (v29) Moses spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which Yahweh commanded, saying,
- Exodus 35:5 (v21) ‘Take from among you an offering to Yahweh. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as Yahweh’s offering: gold, silver, bronze,
- Exodus 35:21-22 (v29) They came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing, and brought Yahweh’s offering for the work of…
- Proverbs 14:1 (v25) Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
- Luke 8:2-3 (v25) and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out;…
- Romans 16:12 (v25) Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Greet Persis, the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.
- Judges 5:9 (vv21, 29) My heart is toward the governors of Israel, who offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless Yahweh!
- 1 Chronicles 29:3 (vv21, 29) In addition, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, since I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, I give it to the…
- 2 Corinthians 8:12 (vv21, 24) For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don’t have.
- Exodus 25:2-7 (v23) “Speak to the children of Israel, that they take an offering for me. From everyone whose heart makes him willing you shall take my…
- Exodus 28:3 (v25) You shall speak to all who are wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron’s garments to sanctify him,…
- Exodus 31:6 (v25) Behold, I myself have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the heart of all who are wise-hearted I…
- Exodus 35:8 (v28) oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense,
- Exodus 35:9 (v27) onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate.
- Exodus 35:22 (v21) They came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and brought brooches, earrings, signet rings, and armlets, all jewels of…
- Exodus 36:1 (v25) “Bezalel and Oholiab shall work with every wise-hearted man, in whom Yahweh has put wisdom and understanding to know how to do all the work…
- Exodus 36:2 (v21) Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab, and every wise-hearted man, in whose heart Yahweh had put wisdom, even everyone whose heart stirred him…
- Exodus 36:3 (v29) 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…
- Deuteronomy 4:2 (v29) You shall not add to the word which I command you, neither shall you take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of Yahweh your…
- Deuteronomy 11:32 (v29) You shall observe to do all the statutes and the ordinances which I set before you today.
- Deuteronomy 12:32 (v29) Whatever thing I command you, that you shall observe to do. You shall not add to it, nor take away from it.
- Judges 5:2 (v29) “Because the leaders took the lead in Israel, because the people offered themselves willingly, be blessed, Yahweh!
- 1 Chronicles 29:9-10 (v29) Then the people rejoiced, because they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to Yahweh; and David the king…
- 1 Chronicles 29:17 (v29) I know also, my God, that you try the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly…
- Ezra 2:68-69 (v22) Some of the heads of fathers’ households, when they came to Yahweh’s house which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for God’s house to set…
- Nehemiah 7:70-72 (v22) Some from among the heads of fathers’ households gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury one thousand darics of gold, fifty…
- Proverbs 31:19-24 (v25) She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.…
- Isaiah 8:20 (v29) Turn to the law and to the covenant! If they don’t speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.
- Matthew 2:11 (v22) They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they…
- Matthew 28:20 (v29) teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
- Acts 9:39 (v25) Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper room. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing…
- Romans 16:1-4 (v25) I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant of the assembly that is at Cenchreae, that you receive her in the Lord, in a way…
- Romans 16:6 (v25) Greet Mary, who labored much for us.
- 1 Corinthians 3:5 (v29) Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants through whom you believed, and each as the Lord gave to him?
- 1 Corinthians 9:17 (v29) For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward. But if not of my own will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.
- Galatians 3:28 (v25) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
- Galatians 6:16 (v29) As many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on God’s Israel.
- Philippians 4:3 (v25) Yes, I beg you also, true partner, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow…
- 2 Timothy 3:15-17 (v29) From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.…
- Exodus 32:3 (v22) All the people took off the golden rings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron.
- Exodus 35:6-10 (v23) blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair, rams’ skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood, oil for the light, spices for the…
- Numbers 31:50 (v22) We have brought Yahweh’s offering, what every man found: gold ornaments, armlets, bracelets, signet rings, earrings, and necklaces, to make…
- Judges 5:3 (v21) “Hear, you kings! Give ear, you princes! I, even I, will sing to Yahweh. I will sing praise to Yahweh, the God of Israel.
- Judges 5:12 (v21) ‘Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, utter a song! Arise, Barak, and lead away your captives, you son of Abinoam.’
- 2 Samuel 7:27 (v21) For you, Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, have revealed to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has…
- 2 Kings 23:7 (v25) He broke down the houses of the male shrine prostitutes that were in Yahweh’s house, where the women wove hangings for the Asherah.
- 1 Chronicles 28:2 (v21) Then David the king stood up on his feet, and said, “Hear me, my brothers, and my people! As for me, it was in my heart to build a house of…
- 1 Chronicles 28:9 (v21) You, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Yahweh searches all…
- 1 Chronicles 29:5-6 (v21) of gold for the things of gold, and of silver for the things of silver, and for all kinds of work to be made by the hands of artisans. Who…
- 1 Chronicles 29:6-7 (v22) Then the princes of the fathers’ households, and the princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with…
- 1 Chronicles 29:9 (v21) Then the people rejoiced, because they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to Yahweh; and David the king…
- 1 Chronicles 29:17-18 (v21) I know also, my God, that you try the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly…
- 2 Chronicles 24:9-14 (v22) They made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in for Yahweh the tax that Moses the servant of God laid on Israel in the…
- Ezra 1:5-6 (v21) Then the heads of fathers’ households of Judah and Benjamin, the priests, and the Levites, all whose spirit God had stirred to go up rose…
- Ezra 7:27 (v21) Blessed be Yahweh, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify Yahweh’s house which is in…
- Psalms 110:3 (v21) Your people offer themselves willingly in the day of your power, in holy array. Out of the womb of the morning, you have the dew of your…
- Proverbs 4:23 (v21) Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.
- Isaiah 3:19 (v22) the earrings, the bracelets, the veils,
- Isaiah 60:9 (v22) Surely the islands will wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your sons from far, their silver and their gold with them,…
- Isaiah 60:13 (v22) “The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the cypress tree, the pine, and the box tree together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and…
- Jeremiah 30:21 (v21) Their prince will be one of them, and their ruler will proceed from among them. I will cause him to draw near, and he will approach me; for…
- Ezekiel 16:11 (v22) I decked you with ornaments, put bracelets on your hands, and put a chain on your neck.
- Matthew 12:34 (v21) You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
- 2 Peter 1:19 (v29) We have the more sure word of prophecy; and you do well that you heed it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and…
- Mark 12:41-44 (v22) Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much. A poor widow…
76 distinct cross-references across this passage (83 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (18 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 29 Hebrew, lifted him up.
Hebrew, lifted him up.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On v22 Exo 35:22 And they came, both men and women,…
Exo 35:22 And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, [and] brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered [offered] an offering of gold unto the LORD.
Ver. 22. And brought bracelets.] Glad they had anything of price to dedicate to God and to seal up their thankfulness for this readmittance into his love and favour. {See Trapp on "Mat 9:10"} Nazianzen put this price upon his Athenian learning, wherein he was very famous, that he had something of value to part with for Christ. These in the text, in token of their true repentance, brought their bracelets and other ornaments, as freely for the service of the tabernacle, as erst they had done to the making of the golden calf.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv21, 22, 26 Whose heart stirred him up, i.e. whose heart being…
Whose heart stirred him up, i.e. whose heart being desirous and ready to serve God, engaged his hand to offer what he had to his service.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv21–29 And they came both men and women, as many…
And they came both men and women, as many as were willing hearted,.... And none else were asked to come; and this supposes, that as there were many of both sexes that were quite cordial, and heartily willing to contribute to the uttermost of what they had for this service, so there were others that were not:
and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets; the first of these, according to our version, seem to be ornaments, not about the neck, but the hands and arms, or wrists, see Gen 24:22 though the word seems to have the signification of an hook, and may mean buckles or clasps, with which some part of their garments were coupled and fastened; so Kimchi says (b), that in his opinion it was an ornament somewhat like a needle, with which they pierced and joined the two parts of the collar of a shirt under the throat: the next are such ornaments as were worn in the ears, and though many had been given for the making of the golden calf, yet not all; there were many that did not give their earrings for this service, especially the women, perhaps only the men, see Exo 32:2 the "rings" were such as were worn on the finger, as all seem to agree; but what the "tablets" were is hard to say, the word being only used in this place and Num 31:50, some take them for ornaments worn on the right arm; others for the covering of another part, not to be named; others for girdles or aprons; Aben Ezra gives a different account of most of them; he says the first design ornaments in the ear, or earrings; the second such as were worn in the nose, or nose jewels; and the third indeed such as were put on the finger; and the fourth, that were upon the arm: however, they were all
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jewels of gold; or were all such ornaments as were made of gold; and these are first mentioned, as being probably first brought, and were what were asked for in the first place, gold being wanted for several things:
and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the Lord; that is, everyone of the first company that came, their offering was of gold, or something made of gold.
(b) Sepher Shorash. rad.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv21–22 Everyone whom his spirit made willing - What they…
Everyone whom his spirit made willing - What they did they did cheerfully. They were willing; and it was not any external inducement that made them so, but their spirits. It was from a principle of love to God, and his service; a desire of his presence with them by his ordinances; gratitude for the great things he had done for them; and faith in his promises of what he would do further.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv21, 22, 25, 27 Verse 21. Every one whose heart stirred him up]…
Verse 21. Every one whose heart stirred him up] Literally, whose heart was lifted up - whose affections were set on the work, being cordially engaged in the service of God.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v21 Exo 35:21-22. Every one whom his spirit made willing…
Exo 35:21-22. Every one whom his spirit made willing — What they did they did cheerfully. They were willing; and it was not any external inducement that made them so, but their spirits. It was from a principle of love to God and his service; a desire of his presence with them by his ordinances, gratitude for the great things he had done for them, and faith in his promises of what he would do further.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv22, 27 Bracelets - Rather, brooches.
Bracelets - Rather, brooches.
Earrings - The Hebrew word signifies a ring, either for the nose (see Gen 24:22) or for the ear Exo 32:2; Gen 35:4. That ear-rings, not nose-rings, are here meant is confirmed by what we know of early Hebrew and Egyptian customs.
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Rings - Signet rings.
Tablets - More probably, armlets. It is most likely that all the articles mentioned in this verse were of gold. The indulgence of private luxury was thus given up for the honor of the Lord. Compare Exo 30:18 note.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv22, 25 And women, by the hands of their husbands, as…
And women, by the hands of their husbands, as the Hebrew and Septuagint intimate. --- Tablets, (dextralia) ornaments worn on the right hand or arm.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv21–22 they came, every one whose heart stirred him up--One…
they came, every one whose heart stirred him up--One powerful element doubtless of this extraordinary open-hearted liberality was the remembrance of their recent transgression, which made them "zealous of good works" (compare Co2 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 favor: 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.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv21, 22, 25 21. Every one whom his spirit made willing —…
21. Every one whom his spirit made willing — Were there, then, some who failed to assist in thus providing for the work of the tabernacle? So one may naturally infer from the form of statement here recorded. This would only accord with what is noticeable in all periods of the history of God’s people. In times of highest enthusiasm and self-consecration, there will be found some heartless hangers on.
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Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29 21. stirred … up] lit. lifted up: so v.…
21. stirred … up] lit. lifted up: so v. 26, Exo_36:2.
made willing] cf. on Exo_25:2.
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offering] contribution: see on Exo_25:2.
all the service thereof] i.e., as Exo_30:16, the daily worship, especially for the candlestick and the Altar of incense, the materials for which are mentioned in v. 28. ‘All’ must not be pressed; materials for the morning and evening daily burnt-offering, and for the Presence-bread (Exo_29:38 ff.; Exo_25:30), not being included in the sequel.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv21–28 (21) They came, every one whose heart stirred him…
THE ZEAL OF THE PEOPLE IN OFFERING AND ASSISTING IN THE WORK.
(21) They came, every one whose heart stirred him up.—All classes came, “men and women” (Exo_35:22), rich and poor, “rulers” (Exo_35:27), and those whose only skill was to “spin with their hands” (Exo_35:25). And the great majority gave freely—to the utmost of their power. Still it is implied, both here and in Exo_35:22; Exo_35:29, that there were some whose hearts did not stir them up. Enough and to spare, was, however, contributed, and at last the people had to be “restrained from bringing” (Exo_36:8).
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The Lord’s offering—i.e., “their offering to Jehovah.”
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv21–27 Vers. 21-29. THE ZEAL OF THE PEOPLE IN OFFERING.…
Vers. 21-29. THE ZEAL OF THE PEOPLE IN OFFERING. Moses dismissed the people; but they soon began to return, bringing their offerings with them. There was a general, if not a universal, willingness Men and women alike "brought bracelets (brooches?), and earrings, and rings, and armlets all articles of gold," and offered them to the Lord (ver. 22). Others brought blue and purple and scalier and fine linen, and goats" hair and rams" skins dyed red, and badger (or rather, seal) skins (ver. 23). Silver and bronze and shittimwood were contributed by others (ver. 24). The women, who were the only spinners, brought their spun yarn of blue and purple and scarlet and fine linen, and their yarn of goats" hair (vers. 25, 26); while the richest class of all rulers gave, as their contribution, the onyx stones for the ephod, the jewels for the high-priest"s breastplate, and the oil needed for the light, together with rare spices for the anointing ointment and the incense (vers. 27, 28). Subsequently, we are told that what was contributed was "much more than enough", (Exo_36:5) and that the people had to be "restrained from bringing" (ibid. 6).
The Lord"s offeringi.e. , "their offering to Jehovah." For all his service. The use of "his" for "its" causes an unfortunate ambiguity here. The antecedent to the pronoun is not the Lord, but the tabernacle.
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Vers. 21-29. Zeal in offering.
Appeals are made to men, in all parts of the world, and in all ages, for material contributions towards the erection of structures in which God is to be worshipped. The spirit in which such appeals are met varies.
(1) Occasionally, they are met in a scoffing spirit. "What, your God needs a house, and cannot build one for himself! He must beg contributions, put out a subscription list! And for what? To make a huge building, which will be of no practical use not a school, not a hospital, not a corn-exchange, but a Church! Catch us giving anything!" Or
(2) it is met in a grudging spirit. "Why is so much required? What need is there for so large a building, or for such rich ornament, or for such architectural display?" And the general inclination, is to give as little as it is" decent to give. Or
(3) it is met in a fussy spirit. Let the matter be well considered let meetings be held let a committee be formed let our advice be taken. If we give, we must be consulted we must have a voice in the arrangements we must examine the plans and express our opinion upon them. Then Perhaps we may bead the subscription-list with something handsome." Very different was the spirit which now animated the Israelites, and which is here held up for our imitation. Their response to the appeal made to them by Moses was
I DEVOUT. None objected. None asked why a tabernacle was wanted, or why the tent which Moses had made a place of worship would not suffice. None scoffed at the idea of a "House of God." All seemed to see the propriety of it. All felt that what they brought was "the Lord"s offering" (vers. 21, 24) a real gift to Jehovah. All longed to have a place of worship of a worthy character.
II UNGRUDGING AND SPONTANEOUS. Their "hearts stirred them up," their "spirits made them willing" (ver. 21). They "brought a willing offering unto the Lord" (ver. 29). The rich brought jewels and precious spices; the men and women of the middle class brought their personal ornaments; the poor men gave brass, or silver, or a ram"s skin, or a piece of acacia wood; the poor women gave the labour of their hands, and spun thread for the hangings. There was no murmuring, no complaining, no fabrication of excuses so far as appears, no open refusing to give, though there was some abstention.
III IMMEDIATE. In one verse we read "they departed" (ver, 20), in the next (ver. 21) "they came." There was no delay, no considering, no discussing one with another, no asking "How much do you intend to give?" Each man seemed to be well persuaded of the truth of the adage dat qui cito dat," and brought his offering at once.
IV UNSELFISH AND UNCONDITIONAL. NO one wanted to have a quid pro quo as the condition of his giving. No one asked to "see the plans." All were willing to leave the ordering of the work to Moses, and put their contributions absolutely in his bands. A spirit of enthusiasm was stirred up, and none thought of anything but how much he could possibly spare for the grand work which they understood Moses to contemplate. The wealth of Easterns is stored chiefly in the form of ornaments, and to denude themselves of these was a great effort of self-sacrifice.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v29 A willing offering.
Exo_35:29
A willing offering.
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The willing offering
Remember that at this time there was no legislation to Israel about giving. A little while after there were strict laws how much they were to give--and every Israelite was by law presently compelled to give no less than two-tenths--first one-tenth and then another tenth--one-fifth of all his property to God; but now that legislation had not taken place, and they gave in the freeness of their own willing hearts. But God has withdrawn legislation again with respect to His Churchs gifts to Him. Only He has laid down broad principles--and we act upon those broad principles in the freedom of the gospel. And here is our opportunity of testing our great love to God--that we are ourselves to be a law to ourselves, that we should give as the Spirit of God moves us. Now let us see, a little more carefully, some rules for giving. We cannot give before we have received. We can only give Him of His own; and, therefore, he who would be a good giver must be careful first to be a good receiver.
I. Having received largely and freely, then, to give is first to give ones self. And I would advise you, before you make any gift whatsoever, to go through an express act of surrender of yourself to God. That done, then make your gift, whatever it be, that you have in your heart to give--make it a solemn, consecrated gift. By some special acts of prayer, dedicate it to God. Then make your act of charity, to the Church or to your fellow-men.
II. And now the practical question comes--how much ought we to give? A question which, in the freeness of the gospel, it is impossible to answer. The answer would vary according to many circumstances, so that it would be impossible to lay down one abstract law. The line has too often, perhaps, been drawn, that it becomes a Christian to give one-tenth of his income to God. But if a man with small means ought to give one-tenth, then a man with double the means ought to give a fifth; because the rate of giving ought to rise in proportion to the income. And, again, the rate of the giving must be according to the demands and the claims which are upon the Christian. So that those who have families--wives and children--depending upon them, ought not to give in the same proportion to their income as those who have none. So that should it be that any person, either of his own fault or others fault, is involved in debt, then that person should consider first the justice of paying the debt, and then go on to the luxury of giving to God or to the Church. I do not say that a person who is in debt should be deprived altogether of the privilege of giving to God. Because, if he make his gift to God a thing taken out of that which he would certainly otherwise have spent upon himself, then he is not injuring his creditors, though he gives part of his income, and though he be in debt, to God. But then he must be careful that by that gift he does not defraud his creditors, because there must be perfect justice before charity. (J. Vaughan, M. A.)
The blessings of giving
There is nothing so like God--because the essence of God is He is always emitting. He opens His hand, and fills all things living with plenteousness: and all things are His. And the more expansive our minds, the more open our hearts, the more we give, the more we grow into the likeness of the great giving God. And it is such a sweet feeling one almost fears that we may be led to do it for the very sweetness there is in the act. But it is the happiness of giving when it is done to express our own feelings of love to Jesus. And though there is no merit in any gift that any man can ever give, yet there is a good foundation for the time to come. And this is the way it is a foundation. It is an evidence. In the great day of judgment, the thing examined will be, Did you love Christ? For witness there will stand out your acts, to prove whether you did or did not love Christ--that is, whether you had accepted His salvation, and had loved Him in return. And your acts will stand out in testimony, to prove or disprove your love to Christ. And not only so. This world is a failing world, and everything around us will be bankrupt. Therefore, do you so use the mammon of unrighteousness, the spoils of Egypt--money--do you so use the mammon of unrighteousness that it will be a friend to you--not an enemy, to rise up against you as a witness to your selfishness, and your pride, and your worldliness, but a friend to speak for you. (J. Vaughan, M. A.)
Free giving
I. The lords offering should be immediate. The people in this instance were sufficiently informed of the need. They had time to learn how far they could individually meet it, and then they returned with their presents. A simple, practical reply this, to the Divine call. He gives twice that gives quickly. Emergencies are not continuous.
II. The lords offering must be voluntary.
III. The lords offering is to be of such as we have, Good wishes and approving words bring down no scales which turn with deeds. Most men, said Sydney Smith, are ready to act the good Samaritan without the oil and the two pence.
IV. The lords offering may be complete (chap. 36:5, 6). (De Witt S. Clarke.)
A great demand, and the gracious response
I. A great demand.
1. God sometimes makes demands upon His people. Sometimes by providential calls for help. Our brother dies suddenly and leaves his orphan children dependent on our care. In these children God comes to us and says--Give!
2. The demands which God makes upon His people are sometimes apparently harsh and unreasonable. Here, from these newly-escaped slaves, He demands a Tabernacle which cost, it is computed, at least £250,000.
3. God sometimes makes demands upon His people which cannot be met without real self-sacrifice.
4. He demands that these sacrifices shall be made with good will (chap. 25:2, 35:5; 1Co_8:12; 1Co_9:7). God makes such demands upon His people--
(1) Not because He needs anything at their hand (Psa_50:9-12).
(2) But solely for their welfare.
(a) They need to be saved from covetousness, which is idolatry.
(b) They need to have their character ennobled, and this can be accomplished only by the exercise of self-denial.
(c) They need channels for the expression of gratitude and joy. By those who truly love God, opportunities by which they may honour Him are welcomed with eager joy.
II. A glorious response. The demand for contributions for the erection of the Tabernacle was more than met (Exo_36:5-7). How did this come to pass?
1. A spirit of holy enthusiasm possessed the people.
2. This spirit of holy enthusiasm possessed not a few wealthy men only, but the whole people (Exo_35:21; Exo_35:29).
3. This spirit of holy enthusiasm moved them to give not only of their superfluity, but also things needful to them in daily life (Exo_35:22-24); and not only to give, but also to labour (Exo_35:25).
4. This spirit of holy enthusiasm transformed every sacrifice that was made for God into an occasion and cause of great joy. So, again, was it at the erection of the Temple (1Ch_29:9). Finally, this glorious response on the part of the people was gloriously acknowledged by the Most High (chap. 40:34, 35). (The Preachers Monthly.)
An old subscription list
There was plenty of compulsory work, of statutory contribution, in the Old Testament system of worship. Sacrifices and tithes and other things were imperative, but the Tabernacle was constructed by means of undemanded offerings, and there were parts of the standing ritual which were left to the promptings of the worshippers own spirit. There was always a door through which the impulses of devout hearts could come in, to animate what else would have become dead, mechanical compliance with prescribed obligations.
I. We have set forth here the true motive of acceptable service. They came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing. There is a striking metaphor in that last word. Wherever the spirit is touched with the sweet influences of Gods love, and loves and gives back again, that spirit is buoyant, lifted, raised above the low, fiat levels where selfishness feeds fat and then rots. The spirit is raised by any great and unselfish emotion. Continual contact with Jesus Christ, and realization of what He has done for us, is sure to open the deep fountains of the heart, and to secure abundant streams. If we can tap these perennial reservoirs, they will yield like artesian wells, and need no creaking machinery to pump a scanty and intermittent supply. We cannot trust this deepest motive too much, nor appeal to it too exclusively. Let me remind you, too, that Christs appeal to this motive leaves no loophole for selfishness or laziness. Responsibility is all the greater because we are left to assess ourselves. The blank form is sent to us, and He leaves it to our honour to fill it up. Do not tamper with the paper, for remember there is a Returning Officer that will examine your schedule who knows all about your possessions.
II. We get here the measure of acceptable work. We have a long catalogue, very interesting in many respects, of the various things that the people brought. Such sentences as these occur over and over again--And every man with whom was found so-and-so brought it; And all the women did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun; And the rulers brought so-and-so. Such statements embody the very plain truism that what we have settles what we are bound to give. Or, to put it into grander words, the capacity is the measure of duty. Our work is cut out for us by the faculties and opportunities that God has given us. The form as well as the measure of our service is determined thereby. She hath done what she could, said Jesus Christ about Mary. We often read that, as if it were a kind of apology for a sentimental and useless gift, because it was the best that she could bestow. I do not hear that tone in the words at all. I hear, rather, this: that duty is settled by faculty, and that nobody else has any business to interfere with that which a Christian soul, all aflame with the love of God, finds to be the spontaneous and natural expression of its devotion to the Master. The words are the vindication of the form of loving service; but let us not forget that they are also a very stringent; requirement as to its measure, if it is to please Christ. What she could. The engine must be worked up to the last ounce of pressure that it will stand. All must be got out of it that can be got out of it.
III. Notice, again, how in this list of offerings there comes out the great thought of the infinite variety of forms of service and offering, which are all equally needful and equally acceptable. The list begins with bracelets, and ear-rings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold. And then it goes on to blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and red skins of rams, and badgers skins, and shittim wood. And then we read that the women did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun--namely, the same things as have been already catalogued, the blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen. That looks as if the richer gave the raw material, and the women gave the labour. Poor women, they could not give, but they could spin. They had no stores, but they had ten fingers and a distaff; and if some neighbour found the stuff, the ten fingers joyfully set the distaff twirling, and spun the yarn for the weavers. Then there were others who willingly undertook the rougher work of spinning, not dainty thread for the rich soft stuffs whose colours were to glow in the sanctuary, but the coarse black goats hair which was to be made into the heavy covering of the roof of the Tabernacle. No doubt it was less pleasant labour than the other, but it got done by willing hands. And then, at the end of the whole enumeration, there comes--And the rulers brought precious stones, and spices, and oil, and all the expensive things that were needed. The big subscriptions are at the bottom of the list, and the smaller ones are in the place of honour. All this just teaches us this--what a host of things of all degrees of preciousness in mens eyes go to make Gods great building! All the things that are given, and the works that are done from the same motive, because of the willing heart, stand upon the same level of acceptance and preciousness in His eyes, whatever may be their value in the market-place. (A. Maclaren, D. D.)
Free giving
I. Co-operation in free giving.
1. The men brought their gifts (Exo_35:23-24).
2. The women brought their gifts (Exo_35:25-26).
3. The rulers brought their gifts (Exo_35:27-28).
II. Giving based on an acceptable principle.
1. Its motive was right (Exo_35:29).
2. Its judgment was correct.
(1) The givers did what they could in their respective lines.
(2) The character and variety in the gifts noticeable.
III. Free giving, in its influence upon God (Exo_35:30-35).
1. If the gifts had not been forthcoming, the special skill would not have been brought into requisition.
2. The gifts, without the skill to use them, would have been of no account.
3. A Divine law is here discovered--God ever imparts to a willing people every needed grace for complete success.
Lessons:
1. The contrast between the children of Israel bowing before the calves of gold and bearing cheerful offerings for Gods sanctuary, is marked and suggestive.
(1) It suggests the power of a sentiment for good or evil.
(2) It suggests the responsibility of leaders of the people. The few create the sentiment, the many adopt it.
2. The contrast between the feelings of their covenant God toward them in these opposite attitudes.
(1) Toward His sinning people He is angry.
(2) Toward His obedient people He is full of grace and blessing.
3. Suggestive also is the contrast between the joy and peace of a disobedient and an obedient people.
4. We have here an instructive example of how much can be accomplished by a willing and united people in a short time.
(1) Consider the costliness of the Tabernacle.
(2) Consider the skill required. (D. C. Hughes, M. A.)
Free gifts for the Tabernacle
I. Art should be consecrated to the service and worship of God. Emptiness and gloom do not honour Him whose are the silver and the gold, and whose handiwork is manifest in star and crystal, flower and feather. We cannot go far wrong when the Word of God encourages us in chaste use of symbols, making art the handmaid of religion, and every avenue to the soul a highway to God.
II. The artizans calling is honoured of God and his lawgiver. He who is diligent in business and fervent in spirit serves the Lord, and even in our manual occupations we may be fellow-workers with God. He who works rightly is so far God-like.
III. Giving, when rightly done, is an act of worship. To hear the Word without an offering is to be a hearer of it and not a doer. Stinginess in a Christian contradicts the cross and its lesson. We are to give promptly and regularly. Zeal cools by delay. Ideas shrink and vision shortens when the heart is not roused. Like the willing people before Moses, let us give now and see the good of our gifts while we live. Better be our own executors, writing our wills on living human hearts rather than on the skins of dead sheep or lawyers foolscap.
IV. Impulsive generosity is not to be contemned. Sentiment is more powerful than logic, and every minister of Christ and leader of men should imitate Moses, who proved himself, under God, a heart-rousing, pocket-compelling preacher. To thrill the money-nerve unto good ends is a noble achievement. Then the maid forgets her ornaments. The ladys jewels are cast into the molten mass that is to make a church bell, supply the needs of the battle-field, the hospital, or the famine-stricken land.
V. The path of sacrifice leads us to Christ and His cross. The heart that prompts the offer of the cup of cold water, when cultivated by Divine grace to highest possibilities, rests only under the cross of Calvary. (William E. Griffis.)
Materials and offerings
I. The materials of which the Tabernacle was made.
1. Various. Nothing is too good for Gods service. Common things are useful, and not to be despised. The meanest things may be sanctified to Gods service. In the Church of Christ we find persons of all nations and stations. Sinners of every degree, colour, character, and size; redeemed, called, sanctified, and blessed, are the materials with which God builds His spiritual house.
2. Suitable. We cannot improve on Gods Choice, nor conceive of a better plan. So in the Church of God perfect wisdom is seen. His glory is great in our salvation. Christ will have a revenue of praise from every soul He rescues from hell. Great sinners are just suitable for a great Saviour.
3. Very costly. Who can tell the value of one soul?
4. Mostly from Egypt. God gathers all the materials for His sanctuary out of the house of bondage.
5. Beautiful.
6. Durable.
II. The willing people who brought the materials. A beautiful illustration of the fruit and effect of Gods forgiving love. Having willing hearts, the people brought willing offerings. All classes had a share in the giving--poor as well as rich--and all their gifts were accepted.
III. The skilful workmen who brought the materials into beauteous form. (R. E. Sears.)
Voluntary contributions for Church work
I. Let us compare their design in erecting the Tabernacle with ours. It was to establish a religion which, when we consider, we cannot but rejoice that we live in brighter days. Not that we would speak disrespectfully of a system which God Himself instituted; but we may safely say that it was inferior to ours. When the Jews laboured to build the Tabernacle they laboured to establish a religion that was--
1. Obscure. There was some light, but it was mingled with much darkness. The truths taught were enveloped in obscurity.
2. Their system was contracted. When they sought to build a Tabernacle, it was only for the use of a million or a million and a half of people. Theirs was a spirit of sectarianism. It was wisely appointed, indeed, to keep them from mingling with the heathen around them. But we cannot help rejoicing that we are not thus shut up. The gospel is designed for all nations, tongues, and people.
3. Their system was burdensome. Their observances were pompous, their rites were numerous and costly. But our yoke, in this respect, is easy, our burden is light. Here are but few institutions, and those are simple and efficient.
4. Their system was temporary. It was only suited to the Jewish meridian, it was only adapted to the service of the Tabernacle. Whereas the Christian system is adapted to every government, for it interferes with none; to every climate, for it is not regulated by the usages of country; to all people, for it is alike friendly to all.
II. Let us compare the exertions of the jews with ours, in reference to these respective systems.
1. Their exertions were prompt.
2. General.
3. Proportionate.
All seemed to ask, What talent have I by which I may promote this cause? If our Churches were possessed of this spirit, how much more would be done: ministers can preach and speak, but there must be collectors also, distributors of reports, etc. Those who have not a ready tongue, may have a flowing pen.
III. Let us consider the obligations under which they were laid, and under which we also are. Laid.
1. They had received a revelation from heaven. If they who received a revelation under the influence of terror did so much, we ought surely to do more! If they did so much under the smoke of Sinai, ought not the droppings of the cross to influence us? Oh, let us feel ashamed that we have made so few exertions.
2. They had experienced merciful deliverances from heaven.
3. They had enjoyed merciful supplies from heaven. (J. Blackburn.)
The popular response
1. The answer of the people was marked by the spirit of willinghood. Some form of the word willing occurs again and again: Every one whom his spirit made willing; As many as were willing-hearted. God will have nothing out of the reluctant hand. We may throw an offering down, but it is not taken up by heaven. It evaporates downwards; it is not received by the condescending and sympathetic sun.
2. The answer was the deepest and truest cure of all murmuring. The people had been murmuring again and again, but the moment they began to work they ceased to complain. You would murmur less if you worked more. An evil thing is idleness. It must always sit with coldness, and the two must keep one another in evil countenance. The one thing to be feared is stagnation. Hear heavens sweet appeal for service, for sacrifice, and know that the appeal is not the demand of exaggeration, but that it is inspired by the very spirit of consideration for human feeling, and expresses the very philosophy of human spiritual education. (J. Parker, D. D.)
Gifts to the Lord
I. The spirit of the people was thoroughly devotional. It will result in no success whatsoever to attempt to manage the Lords interests in a merely mercenary and marketable way. Any Church enterprise will fail if it only seeks to please a crowd, to fire the ambition of a denomination, or become a monument of personal pride. For this is not its end; its purpose is salvation of lost souls, and anything short of that is simply waste of money and zeal. We have heard it said that once the venerable keeper of the Eddystone lighthouse was completely prostrated by the wild conflict of the ocean during a violent storm which threatened to destroy the slender shaft of stone out in the midst of the waves. He joined the small company of his helpers in guarding the windows, defending the doors, saving the boats, fastening the broken chains, till he used up his infirm strength completely. They laid him down in one of the little chambers to die, for no one could be spared to watch. After a while they came to tell him the storm was abating; but, left for a moment, he had crept up the stairs to the lantern, and was there feebly trimming the lamps. I was afraid some vessel might miss the light, he said in explanation. They told him, a little petulantly, that he might have spared his strength to help preserve the building. No, no, he answered, with an anxious look out over the offing; I was not put out here to save lighthouses, but to save ships!
II. The spirit of the people was universally industrious. Personal labour is more valuable often than money in the Lords service, for it more surely carries the heart with it. There is an exquisite little story told us in the classics, of one Cressinus, whom the Romans arrested for witchcraft because he grew opulent on so small a farm. But he came to the judgment producing his tools, and displaying his hardened hands: These are my sorceries, he exclaimed; these implements of honest toil are all the witcheries I know of! And they freed him on the plea. The eight fingers and two thumbs of Christians are the best ten friends that any congregation in difficulties ever has found under God.
III. The spirit of the people was self-sacrificingly liberal. There was once a man who was prospered in business and grew wealthy. Then he lavished his fortune in house and equipage, and in all personal indulgence of self. He suddenly failed, and in shame and sorrow stood by while his furniture and pictures, his horses and plate, were scattered among strangers by the glib auctioneer. Some days afterwards he happened to be present at the dedication of a mission chapel for the poor, which a Christian friend had just erected. Ah, how I wish, said he, as his memory told him of his improvident excesses in former times--how I wish now that some of the wealth I wasted was invested here with yours in this building, which will be doing Gods service long after I am forgotten!
IV. The spirit of the people was prayerfully ingenious. The principle of division of labour was carried into use among the people so that every sort of fitness should be put into service. Really, the rule appears to have been that every one should do the exact thing he could do the best, and give all he was able to offer in the line of unobtrusive contribution. There was certainly something for each man and each woman to do; and they all became alert to find out their vocation. It is remarkable to see how unconscious they are of any claim to special praise. There is no clapping of hands for each other; there is no plaudit from the skies. The famous statue of Phidias, called the Olympian Jove, was reckoned one of the wonders of the world; and the Grecian orators used to declare that on its completion Jove himself struck the pavement in front of it with glorious lightning in token of his approbation. This will do very well as a tale for a superstitious and self-seeking multitude. But our God never compliments human industry, nor flatters his creatures for simply doing their duty. They must be content to wait with the approval of their own consciences, and watch the rising of each fair enterprise like a tabernacle for Gods dwelling.
V. The spirit of the people was enthusiastically affectionate. Over and over again we are reminded that their hearts were in every case stirred up, and their spirits were made willing-hearted. It is not even worth while to delay in illustrating this point; for the whole after history shows that their success in such a vast undertaking came from the same temper as that which actuated the nation in after times when building the Temple: The people had a mind to work. Therein is our very best lesson for modern endeavour. (C. S. Robinson, D. D.)
Willinghood
I. Describe the willing offerer. He is one who gives--
1. As much as he can.
2. Of the best he has.
3. Cheerfully, as to the Lord.
II. Offer some reasons for willingness in the service of God.
1. The Lord loves a cheerful giver.
2. The value of what is given in enhanced by the manner of the bestowment.
3. The willingness of one stirs the liberality of others.
4. Good works are often delayed, fatally, by the slowness of giving.
5. We are not our own, and all we have is Gods.
6. God gave this unspeakable gift willingly. (Biblical Museum.)
Strange offerings
About nine oclock in the morning the people gathered together in the church. Fully five hundred natives were present, and the building seemed to be well filled. It is hard to say how many the Port Moresby church will hold. The people sit on the floor. They have a way of folding up their legs and then sitting on them, and this saves space by doing away with all need for chairs. They can stay seated in this cramped position for an hour or two. Upon this occasion the floor was almost entirely covered with people who listened well to what was said. I have never faced such a congregation before. Towards the front the people were simply but decently dressed. Many of them were young men and women who are being trained for native teachers in the Mission School. You had only to look a few yards behind them to see the naked savage sitting almost motionless, and looking just a little hideous in his grotesque ornamentation. To look from one man to another was to see what has been done, and what can be done for these people by the gospel of Christ. The collection was a very strange one. Very few of the people have any money, so, instead of silver and gold, they brought such as they have--viz., 325 spears, 65 shell armlets, 92 bows, 180 arrows, besides shields, drums, shell necklaces, feather and other ornaments. Altogether, counting money given by the missionaries and the native teachers, the collection was worth f30 1s. 6d. (Lewis, Missionary in New Guinea.)
Self-denying offerings of women
General Longstreet, speaking of the struggle at Centreville, says: The Federals had been using balloons in examining our positions, and we watched with envious eyes their beautiful observations, as they floated high up in the air, and well out of the range of our guns. We longed for the balloon that poverty denied us. A genius arose for the occasion and suggested that we send out and gather together all the silk dresses in the Confederacy and make a balloon. It was done, and soon we had a great patchwork ship of many and varied hues. (H. O. Mackey.)
Consecrated jewels
A few months before the death of Miss Frances Ridley Havergal, the sweet and accomplished missionary poetess, she sent to the Church Missionary Society her jewels, value f50. Had she been strong enough, she herself would have gone to India.
Consecrated plate
Lord Shaftesbury, on one occasion, said to me, I am going to build a schoolroom in your parish. I knew that he had a good many claims on him, and I said Let me help you to collect the funds. But he would not, and he built schoolrooms in two of the parishes on the estate. Afterwards he said to me, You asked me to allow you to help me in collecting funds, but I thought it was not my duty to do so. Do you know how I got the money? I said, No, of course I do not. Well, he said, I found I had so much more plate left me by my father than I wanted, that I thought I would sell enough to build these two schoolrooms. (Bp. Bickersteth.)
The motive to liberality
Diodorus Siculus relates that the forest of the Pyrenean Mountains being set on fire, and the heat penetrating to the soil, a pure stream of silver gushed forth from the bosom of the earth and revealed for the first time the existence of those rich lodes afterwards so celebrated. Let the melting influence of the cross be felt, let the fire of the gospel be kindled in the Church, and its ample stores shall be seen flowing from their hidden recesses and becoming the fine gold of the sanctuary. (J. Harris.)
Offerings of devotion
The Rev. Dr. D. Fraser tells the following:--After a sermon preached by him at the opening of a church elsewhere, a lady of fashionable position in society came to him. Why should I have two watches while the house of God remains unpaid for? He replied, Really, I cannot tell why. She then said, Well, I will give the better watch of the two toward the cost of the church. She did so, and a jeweller paid f25 for it, which was a sensible addition to the fund. Dr. Fraser added that at another collection, on the previous Sunday, a lady who had not a piece of gold, and who did not care to give silver, took the chain off her neck and put it on the plate. She would lose nothing by that. They might say that these were impulsive women. Well, impulsive women might rise up to condemn illiberal men in the day of the Lord.
Variety of offerings in Gods treasury
I remember once being in the treasury of a royal palace. There was a long gallery in which the Crown valuables were stored. In one compartment there was a great display of emeralds, and diamonds, and rubies, and I know not what, that had been looted from some Indian rajah or other. And in the next case there lay a common quill pen, and beside it a little bit of discoloured coarse serge. The pen had signed some important treaty, and the serge was a fragment of a flag that had been borne triumphant from a field where a nations destinies had been sealed. The two together were worth a farthing at the outside, but they held their own among the jewels, because they spoke of brain-work and bloodshed in the service of the king. Many strangely conjoined things lie side by side in Gods jewel-cases. Things which people vulgarly call large and valuable, and what people still more vulgarly call small and worthless, have a way of getting together there. For in that place the arrangement is not in order of what the thing will fetch if it is sold, but what was the thought in the mind and the emotion in the heart which gave it. Jewels and camels hair, yarn and gold and silver, are all massed together. Wood is wanted for the temple quite as much as gold and silver and precious stones. So, whatever we have, let us bring that; and whatever we are, let us bring that. If we be poor and our work small, and our natures limited, and our faculties confined, it does not matter. A man is accepted according to that he hath, and not according to that he hath not. He gives much who gives all, though his all be little; he gives little who gives a part, though the part be much. The motive sanctifies the act, and the completeness of the consecration magnifies it. Great and small are not words for Gods kingdom, in which the standard is not quantity but quality, and quality is settled by the purity of the love which prompts the deed, and the consequent thoroughness of self-surrender which it expresses. Whoever serves God with a whole heart will render to Him a whole strength, and will thus bring Him the gifts which lie most desires. (A. Maclaren, D. D.)
Willing offerings acceptable to God
There was once a missionary meeting held in the West Indies among the negroes, at which these three resolutions were agreed upon--
1. We will all give something.
2. We will give as God has prospered us.
3. We will all give willingly.
As soon as the meeting was over, a leading negro took his seat at the table, with pen and ink, to put down what each came to give. Many came forward to give, some more and some less. Amongst those that came was a rich old negro, almost as rich as all the others put together, and threw down upon the table a small silver coin. Take dat back again, said the negro that received the money; dat may be according to de first resolution, but it not according to de second. The rich man accordingly took it up, and hobbled back to his seat in a great rage. One after another came forward, and as almost all gave more than himself, he was fairly ashamed of himself, and again threw down a piece of money on the table, saying, Dare! take that! It was a valuable piece of money: but it was given so ill-temperedly, that the negro answered again, No! dat wont do yet! It may be according to de first and second resolutions, but it is not according to de last; and he was obliged to take up his coin again. Still angry at himself and all the rest, he sat a long time, till nearly all were gone, and then came up to the table, and with a smile on his face, and very willingly, gave a large sum to the treasurer. Very well, said the negro, dat will do; dat according to all de resolutions. Whatever we do for the worship and service of God, we should do it freely, cheerfully, and cordially. God loveth a cheerful giver. If cheerful giving to Gods cause was required under the old dispensation, how much more is it required under the new!
I must give before I can pray
The venerable Dr. Sewall, of Maine, once entered a meeting in behalf of foreign missions, just as the collectors of the contributions were resuming their seats. The chairman of the meeting requested him to lead in prayer. The old gentleman stood hesitatingly, as if he had not heard the request. It was repeated in a louder voice, but there was no response. It was observed, however, that Dr. Sewall was fumbling in his pockets, and presently he produced a piece of money, which he deposited in the contribution box. The chairman, thinking he had not been understood, said loudly, I didnt ask you to give, Dr. Sewall, I asked you to pray. Oh, yes, he replied, I heard you, but I cant pray till I have given something.
The worth of youthful giving
The Rev. Dr. Dickson, of Baltimore, in an address at the Maryland State Sabbath-school Convention, spoke of the need of cultivating the grace of giving in early life. Twenty years ago, he said, he proposed to his Sabbath-school superintendent to take up a collection every Sabbath morning from the children. Why, my dear pastor, exclaimed the superintendent, you shear the sheep pretty often, and this looks really like wanting to shear the tender lambs! The thought startled the speaker. A few days after, however, he was in the store of one of his parishioners, purchasing stockings. He had selected a good article, as he thought, when the merchant inquired, Why do you not select the lambswool? Lambs wool! why, are they better? Yes, they are a world softer, far more pliable, and I believe wear longer than those made from old sheeps wool. He did not remember, and needed not to inform the hearers, whether he took the stockings; but he knew that he took the fact to his superintendent, telling him that lambs wool was the best wool, and he meant to try it! The many early traits of selfishness, avarice, covetousness, subdued by the earlier formed habits of giving in children who could tell!
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Alexander MacLaren 1905 · Public Domain On v21
Exodus
AN OLD SUBSCRIPTION LIST
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Exo 35:21.
This is the beginning of the catalogue of contributions towards the erection of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. It emphasises the purely spontaneous and voluntary character of the gifts. There was plenty of compulsory work, of statutory contribution, in the Old Testament system of worship. Sacrifices and tithes and other things were imperative, but the Tabernacle was constructed by means of undemanded offerings, and there were parts of the standing ritual which were left to the promptings of the worshipper’s own spirit. There was always a door through which the impulses of devout hearts could come in, to animate what else would have become dead, mechanical compliance with prescribed obligations. That spontaneous surrender of precious things, not because a man must give them, but because he delights in letting his love come to the surface and find utterance in giving which is still more blessed than receiving, had but a narrow and subordinate sphere of action assigned to it in the legal system of the Old Covenant, but it fills the whole sphere of Christianity, and becomes the only kind of offering which corresponds to its genius and is acceptable to Christ. We may look, then, not merely at the words of our text, but at the whole section of which they form the introduction, and find large lessons for ourselves, not only in regard to the one form of Christian service which is pecuniary liberality, but in reference to all which we have to do for Jesus Christ, in the picture which it gives us of that eager crowd of willing givers, flocking to the presence of the lawgiver, with hands laden with gifts so various in kind and value, but all precious because freely and delightedly brought, and all needed for the structure of God’s house.
I. We have set forth here the true motive of acceptable service.
‘They came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing.’ There is a striking metaphor in that last word. Wherever the spirit is touched with the sweet influences of God’s love, and loves and gives back again, that spirit is buoyant, lifted, raised above the low, flat levels where selfishness feeds fat and then rots. The spirit is raised by any great and unselfish emotion. There is buoyancy and glad consciousness of elevation in all the self-sacrifice of love, which dilates and lifts the spirit as the light gas smoothes out the limp folds of silk in a balloon, and sends it heavenwards, a full sphere. Only service or surrender, which is thus cheerful because it is the natural expression of love, is true service in God’s sight. Whosoever, then, had his spirit raised and made buoyant by a great glad resolve to give up some precious thing for God’s sanctuary, came with his gift in his hand, and he and it were accepted. That trusting of men’s giving to spontaneous liberality was exceptional under the law. It is normal under the Gospel, and has filled the whole field, and driven out the other principle of statutory and constrained service and sacrifice altogether. We have its feeble beginnings in this incident. It is sovereign in Christ’s Church. There are no pressed men on board Christ’s ship. None but volunteers make up His army. ‘Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy might.’ He cares nothing for any service but such as it would be pain to keep back; nothing for any service which is not given with a smile of glad thankfulness that we are able to give it.
And for the true acceptableness of Christian service, that motive of thankful love must be actually present in each deed. It is not enough that we should determine on and begin a course of sacrifice or work under the influence of that great motive, unless we renew it at each step. We cannot hallow a row of actions in that wholesale fashion by baptizing the first of them with the cleansing waters of true consecration, while the rest are done from lower motives. Each deed must be sanctified by the presence of the true motive, if it is to be worthy of Christ’s acceptance. But there is a constant tendency in all Christian work to slide off its only right foundation, and having been begun ‘in the spirit,’ to be carried on ‘in the flesh.’ Constant watchfulness is needed to resist this tendency, which, if yielded to, destroys the worth and power, and changes the inmost nature, of apparently devoted and earnest service.
Not the least subtle and dangerous of these spurious motives which steal in surreptitiously to mar our work for Christ is habit. Service done from custom, and representing no present impulse of thankful devotion, may pass muster with us, but does it do so with God? No doubt a habit of godly service is, in some aspects, a good, and it is well to enlist that tremendous power of custom which sways so much of our lives, on the side of godliness. But it is not good, but, on the contrary, pure loss, when habit becomes mechanical, and, instead of making it easier to call up the true motive, excludes that motive, and makes it easy to do the deed without it. I am afraid that if such thoughts were applied as a sieve to sift the abundant so-called Christian work of the present day, there would be an alarming and, to the workers, astonishing quantity of refuse that would not pass the meshes.
Let us, then, try to bring every act of service nominally done for Christ into conscious relation with the motive which ought to be its parent; for only the work that is done because our spirits lift us up, and our hearts are willing, is work that is accepted by Him, and is blessed to us.
And how is that to be secured? How is that glad temper of spontaneous and cheerful consecration to be attained and maintained? I know of but one way. ‘Brethren,’ said the Apostle, when he was talking about a very little matter-some small collection for a handful of poor people-’ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, how that, though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, that we, through His poverty, might become rich.’ Let us keep our eyes fixed upon that great pattern of and motive for surrender; and our hearts will become willing, touched with the fire that flamed in His. There is only one method of securing the gladness and spontaneousness of devotion and of service, and that is, living very near to Jesus Christ, and drinking in for ourselves, as the very wine that turns to blood and life in our veins, the spirit of that dear Master. Every one whose heart is lifted up will have it lifted up because it holds on by Him who hath ascended up, and who, being ‘lifted up, draws all men to Him.’ The secret of consecration is communion with Jesus Christ.
The appeal to lower motives is often tempting, but always a mistake. Continual contact with Jesus Christ, and realisation of what He has done for us, are sure to open the deep fountains of the heart, and to secure abundant streams. If we can tap these perennial reservoirs they will yield like artesian wells, and need no creaking machinery to pump a scanty and intermittent supply. We cannot trust this deepest motive too much, nor appeal to it too exclusively.
Let me remind you, too, that Christ’s appeal to this motive leaves no loophole for selfishness or laziness. Responsibility is all the greater because we are left to assess ourselves. The blank form is sent to us, and He leaves it to our honour to fill it up. Do not tamper with the paper, for remember there is a Returning Officer that will examine your schedule, who knows all about your possessions. So, when He says, ‘Give as you like; and I do not want anything that you do not like,’ remember that ‘Give as you like’ ought to mean, ‘Give as you, who have received everything from Me, are bound to give.’
II. We get here the measure of acceptable work.
We have a long catalogue, very interesting in many respects, of the various gifts that the people brought. Such sentences as these occur over and over again-’And every man with whom was found’ so-and-so ‘brought it’; ‘And all the women did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun’; ‘And the rulers brought’ so-and-so. Such statements embody the very plain truism that what we have settles what we are bound to give. Or, to put it into grander words, capacity is the measure of duty. Our work is cut out for us by the faculties and opportunities that God has given us.
That is a very easy thing to say, but it is an uncommonly hard thing honestly to apply. For there are plenty of people that are smitten with very unusual humility whenever you begin to talk to them about work. ‘It is not in my way,’ ‘I am not capable of that kind of service,’ and so on, and so on. One would believe in the genuineness of the excuse more readily if there were anything about which such people said, ‘Well, I can do that, at all events’; but such an all-round modesty, which is mostly observable when service is called for, is suspicious. It might be well for some of these retiring and idle Christians to remember the homely wisdom of ‘You never know what you can do till you try.’ On the other hand, there are many Christians who, for want of honest looking into their own power, for want of what I call sanctified originality, are content to run in the ruts that other people’s vehicles have made, without asking themselves whether that is the gauge that their wheels are fit for. Both these sets of people flagrantly neglect the plain law that what we have settles what we should give.
The form as well as the measure of our service is determined thereby. ‘She hath done what she could,’ said Jesus Christ about Mary. We often read that, as if it were a kind of apology for a sentimental and useless gift, because it was the best that she could bestow. I do not hear that tone in the words at all. I hear, rather, this, that duty is settled by faculty, and that nobody else has any business to interfere with that which a Christian soul, all aflame with the love of God, finds to be the spontaneous and natural expression of its devotion to the Master. The words are the vindication of the form of loving service; but let us not forget that they are also a very stringent requirement as to its measure, if it is to please Christ. ‘What she could’; the engine must be worked up to the last ounce of pressure that it will stand. All must be got out of it that can be got out of it. Is that the case about us? We talk about hard work for Christ. Have any of us ever, worked up to the edge of our capacity? I am afraid that if the principles that lie in this catalogue were applied to us, whether about our gold and silver, or about our more precious spiritual and mental possessions, we could not say, ‘Every man with whom was found’ this, that, and the other, ‘brought it for the work.’
III. Notice, again, how in this list of offerings there comes out the great thought of the infinite variety of forms of service and offering, which are all equally needful and equally acceptable.
The list begins with ‘bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold.’ And then it goes on to ‘blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and red skins of rams, and badgers’ skins, and shittim wood.’ And then we read that the ‘women did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun’-namely, the same things as have been already catalogued, ‘the blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen.’ That looks as if the richer gave the raw material, and the women gave the labour. Poor women! they could not give, but they could spin. They had no stores, but they had ten fingers and a distaff, and if some neighbour found the stuff, the ten fingers joyfully set the distaff twirling, and spun the yarn for the weavers. Then there were others who willingly undertook the rougher work of spinning, not dainty thread for the rich soft stuffs whose colours were to glow in the sanctuary, but the coarse black goat’s hair which was to be made into the heavy covering of the roof of the tabernacle. No doubt it was less pleasant labour than the other, but it got done by willing hands. And then, at the end of the whole enumeration, there comes, ‘And the rulers brought precious stones, and spices, and oil,’ and all the expensive things that were needed. The large subscriptions are at the bottom of the list, and the smaller ones are in the place of honour. All this just teaches us this-what a host of things of all degrees of preciousness in men’s eyes go to make God’s great building!
So various were the requirements of the work on hand. Each man’s gift was needed, and each in its place was equally necessary. The jewels on the high-priest’s breastplate were no more nor less essential than the wood that made some peg for a curtain, or than the cheap goat’ s-hair yarn that was woven into the coarse cloth flung over the roof of the Tabernacle to keep the wet out. All had equal consecration, because all made one whole. All was equally precious, if all was given with the same spirit. So there is room for all sorts of work in Christ’s great house, where there are not only ‘vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth,’ and all ‘unto honour . . .meet for the Master’s use.’ The smallest deed that co-operates to a great end is great. ‘The more feeble are necessary.’ Every one may find a corner where his special possession will work into the general design. If I have no jewels to give, I can perhaps find some shittim wood, or, if I cannot manage even that, I can at least spin some other person’s yarn, even though I have only a distaff, and not a loom to weave it in. Many of us can do work only when associated with others, and can render best service by helping some more highly endowed. But all are needed, and welcomed, and honoured, and rewarded. The owner of all the slaves sets one to be a water-carrier, and another to be his steward. It is of little consequence whether the servant be Paul or Timothy, the Apostle or the Apostle’s helper. ‘He worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do,’ said the former about the latter. All who are associated in the same service are on one level.
I remember once being in the treasury of a royal palace. There was a long gallery in which the Crown valuables were stored. In one compartment there was a great display of emeralds, and diamonds, and rubies, and I know not what, that had been looted from some Indian rajah or other. And in the next case there lay a common quill pen, and beside it a little bit of discoloured coarse serge. The pen had signed some important treaty, and the serge was a fragment of a flag that had been borne triumphant from a field where a nation’s destinies had been sealed. The two together were worth a farthing at the outside, but they held their own among the jewels, because they spoke of brain-work and bloodshed in the service of the king. Many strangely conjoined things lie side by side in God’s jewel-cases. Things which people vulgarly call large and valuable, and what people still more vulgarly call small and worthless, have a way of getting together there. For in that place the arrangement is not according to what the thing would fetch if it were sold, but what was the thought in the mind and the emotion in the heart which gave it. Jewels and camel’s hair yarn and gold and silver are all massed together. Wood is wanted for the Temple quite as much as gold and silver and precious stones.
So, whatever we have, let us bring that; and whatever we are, let us bring that. If we be poor and our work small, and our natures limited, and our faculties confined, it does not matter. A man is accepted ‘according to that he hath, and not according to that he hath not.’ God does not ask how much we have given or done, if we have given or done what we could. But He does ask how much we have kept back, and takes strict account of the unsurrendered possessions, the unimproved opportunities, the unused powers. He gives much who gives all, though his all be little; he gives little who gives a part, though the part be much. The motive sanctifies the act, and the completeness of the consecration magnifies it. ‘Great’ and ‘small’ are not words for God’s Kingdom, in which the standard is not quantity but quality, and quality is settled by the purity of the love which prompts the deed, and the consequent thoroughness of self-surrender which it expresses. Whoever serves God with a whole heart will render to Him a whole strength, and will thus bring Him the gifts which He most desires.
Alexander MacLaren, Expositions of Holy Scripture (1904–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v24 i.e. acacia.
shittim
i.e. acacia.
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv23, 25, 27 Everyone who had ... brought them
Everyone who had ... brought them
For Exo 35:23 see how you translated many of these words in Exodus 25:4-5.
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translationWords
goat
ewe
sacrifice
silver
bronze
Yahweh
acacia
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.