Êxodo 36

Êxodo 36

Morgan - When the heart is truly stirred, and the spirit makes willing, giving is robbed of all meanness; indeed, it ceases to be calculating. Nothing is too precious to be given, no amount is too great. The generous giving of the Israelites reminds us of two NT examples... Matthew 26:7 a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table. Philippians 4:14-19+ Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. 15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Exodus 36:4 And all the skillful men who were performing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work which he was performing, 2Ch 24:13 Mt 24:45 Lu 12:42 1Co 3:10 Exodus 36 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries TABERNACLE WORKERS TAKE A BREAK And all the skillful men who were performing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work which he was performing Bush - And all the wise men—came every man from his work, &c. The ‘wise men’ here mentioned were evidently the artificers or artisans who took charge of the different departments of the work. Although their several tasks were not yet completed, yet from the best judgment they could form of the amount of materials requisite, they did not hesitate to assure Moses that the supply exceeded the demand. Exodus 36:5 and they said to Moses, "The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the LORD commanded us to perform." Ex 32:3 2Ch 24:14 31:6-10 2Co 8:2,3 Php 2:21 4:17,18 Exodus 36 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE INTEGRITY OF THE WORKERS and they said to Moses, "The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the LORD commanded us to perform - Note the integrity of the workers who could have "pocketed" some of the surplus for themselves, but did not do so. Bush - This report was alike creditable to the artists and to the people. It showed conclusively the exemplary honesty of the former. Had they been governed by any thing but the strictest principles of integrity, they would scarcely have failed to seize the opportunity of enriching themselves by appropriating the overplus of the offerings to their own use as perquisites of their place. When we consider that it was impossible to determine beforehand precisely how large an amount of materials would be necessary for any particular province of the work, and how desirous most men are of having the handling and the discretionary control of precious things, though they may not actually use them, it was certainly a rare example of disinterestedness and probity that was now exhibited. With every thing to favor peculation, they scorn to entertain the thought for a moment of turning the public liberality to their private advantage. On the contrary, they determine to cut themselves off from a liability to temptation by declining to receive any more than they were confident of having occasion for Exodus 36:6 So Moses issued a command, and a proclamation was circulated throughout the camp, saying, "Let no man or woman any longer perform work for the contributions of the sanctuary." Thus the people were restrained from bringing any more. Exodus 36 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries So Moses issued a command, and a proclamation was circulated throughout the camp, saying, "Let no man or woman any longer perform work for the contributions of the sanctuary." Currid - ‘proclamation’ throughout the camp—that word is literally ‘voice’, indicating the oral transmission of the announcement. As a consequence of it, the people stop giving. This passage highlights, again, the liberal contribution of the people—it is both men and women who give, and they continuously donate to the work. Bush - So Moses issued a command, and a proclamation - Accordingly upon their statement to Moses he immediately issued his command in a proclamation that the contributions should cease. Here again it is impossible to conceive a more emphatic testimony than this to the profuse generosity of the people. ‘Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary!’ Moses might well adopt the language of Paul respecting the churches of Macedonia; ‘Their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves; praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift.’ It would almost seem that they had heard ‘the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Alas, are we not constrained to acknowledge that this conduct stands in mortifying contrast with that of the great mass of the Christian world! Instead of giving ‘too much,’ where do they ever give enough? And where do we now find men acting so fully on the voluntary principle? How small a proportion of the benevolent offerings of Christians are brought to the Lord’s treasury? Instead of this they must be sent for. Numerous, expensive, and laborious agencies must be employed, which of themselves absorb a considerable portion of the funds raised. Collectors must go from house to house, and even then are often esteemed unwelcome visitors; nay, so prone is the worldly heart to evasion, that many will consider it a good excuse for not giving to a well-known object of benevolence, if they can say, they have not been called on! Ah, how different from the full-souled and spontaneous promptings of the Israelitish donors on this occasion! They needed simply to have a want stated, and then without waiting for duty to be inculcated, appeals urged, a precise amount prescribed, or a messenger sent, they become the carriers of their own gifts and pour them in without stint till checked by a public proclamation! God be praised, however, that this spirit is not entirely lacking in the church at this day. Some there are who only require the slightest signal of the Lord’s finger, not to be behind the most forward Israelite in contributing to the up-building of his kingdom on the earth. Their record is on high. Thus the people were restrained from bringing any more - “It must have been both a disappointment and a frustration to those who had delayed their gifts because they could not bear to part with their treasures, and who now found that God had no further need of them. His work was finished, but they had excluded themselves from any share in it: God deliver us from such a frustration.” (Cole) Exodus 36:7 For the material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the work, to perform it. sufficient and more than enough: 2Ch 31:10 Exodus 36 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ISRAEL'S EXAMPLE OF GENEROUS GIVING For the material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the work, to perform it - Stirred hearts of the people poured out an overabundance of offering to Jehovah, the One Who is the supreme example of a Generous Giver (John 3:16+). Currid - It is easy for us to judge and condemn many of the actions of the Israelites in the book of Exodus. Their lack of faith, murmuring and sinful actions, like the golden calf incident, are not worthy of our emulation. Yet we need to be careful not to judge them too harshly without looking into our own hearts. The fact of the matter is, we probably would act the same way as they did in their situation. There is nothing new under the sun! In addition, we often do not commend Israel for the times when they did the right thing. In the present section, the Hebrews responded in a good and godly manner—they gave liberally to the work of the tabernacle and the worship of Yahweh. We ought to imitate them in this regard. But how little the church gives! We ought to be like the man buried in St Paul’s Cathedral in London whose epitaph, in a plain and simple way, reads: ‘Sacred to the memory of Charles George Gordon, who at all times and everywhere gave his strength to the weak, his substance to the poor, his sympathy to the suffering, his heart to God.’ NET Note - This lengthy section (Exodus 35:1–36:7) forms one of the most remarkable sections in the book. Here there is a mixture of God’s preparation of people to do the work and their willingness to give and to serve. It not only provides insight into this renewed community of believers, but it also provides a timeless message for the church. The point is clear enough: In response to God’s commission, and inspired by God’s Spirit, the faithful and willing people rally to support and participate in the LORD’s work. Alan