CHAPTER 35
. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE
TABERNACLE.
1. Moses gathered all the
congregation of the children of Israel, c.—On the occasion
referred to in the opening of this chapter, the Israelites were
specially reminded of the design to erect a magnificent tabernacle
for the regular worship of God, as well as of the leading articles
that were required to furnish that sacred edifice []. (See on Exodus 35:2
Exodus 35:2; Exodus 35:2).
20, 21. all the congregation of
Israel departed from the presence of Moses—No exciting
harangues were made, nor had the people Bibles at home in which they
could compare the requirements of their leader and see if these
things were so. But they had no doubt as to his bearing to them the
will of God, and they were impressed with so strong a sense of its
being their duty, that they made a spontaneous offer of the best and
most valuable treasures they possessed.
21. 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 2 Corinthians 7:11). But along
with this motive, there were others of a higher and nobler kind—a
principle of love to God and devotedness to His service, an anxious
desire to secure the benefit of His presence, and gratitude for the
tokens of His divine 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.
22. they came, both men and women,
c.—literally, "the men over and above the women" a
phraseology which implies that the women acted a prominent part,
presented their offerings first, and then were followed by as
many of their male companions as were similarly disposed.
brought bracelets,
c.—There was in that early age no money in the form of coins or
bullion. What money passed current with the merchant consisted of
rings which were weighed, and principally of ornaments for personal
decoration. Astonishment at the abundance of their ornaments is at an
end when we learn that costly and elegant ornaments abounded in
proportion as clothing was simple and scarce among the Egyptians, and
some, entirely divested of clothing, yet wore rich necklaces
[HENGSTENBERG]. Among
people with Oriental sentiments and tastes, scarcely any stronger
proof could have been given of the power of religion than their
willingness not only to lay aside, but to devote those much-valued
trinkets to the house of God and thus all, like the Eastern sages,
laid the best they had at the service of God.
30. See, the Lord hath called by
name Bezaleel, the son of Uri, c.—Moses had made this
communication before [see also see on Exodus 35:3].
But now that the collection had been made, the materials were
contributed, and the operations of building about to be commenced, it
was with the greatest propriety he reminded the people that the
individuals entrusted with the application of their gold and silver
had been nominated to the work by authority to which all would bow.
35. Them hath he filled with wisdom
of heart—A statement which not only testifies that skill in art
and science is a direct gift from God, but that weaving was
especially the business of men in Egypt (see Exodus 38:22;
Exodus 39:22; Exodus 39:27).
And in perfect harmony with the testimony of the monuments is the
account given by Moses to the artists who were divinely taught the
arts necessary for the embellishment of the tabernacle. Others, whose
limited means did not admit of these expensive contributions, offered
their gratuitous services in fabricating such articles of tapestry as
were needed; arts which the Israelitish females learned as bondwomen,
in the houses of Egyptian princes.
CHAPTER 35
. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE TABERNACLE.
1. Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel, c.—On the occasion referred to in the opening of this chapter, the Israelites were specially reminded of the design to erect a magnificent tabernacle for the regular worship of God, as well as of the leading articles that were required to furnish that sacred edifice []. (See on Exodus 35:2 Exodus 35:2; Exodus 35:2).
20, 21. all the congregation of Israel departed from the presence of Moses—No exciting harangues were made, nor had the people Bibles at home in which they could compare the requirements of their leader and see if these things were so. But they had no doubt as to his bearing to them the will of God, and they were impressed with so strong a sense of its being their duty, that they made a spontaneous offer of the best and most valuable treasures they possessed.
21. 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 2 Corinthians 7:11). But along with this motive, there were others of a higher and nobler kind—a principle of love to God and devotedness to His service, an anxious desire to secure the benefit of His presence, and gratitude for the tokens of His divine 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.
22. they came, both men and women, c.—literally, "the men over and above the women" a phraseology which implies that the women acted a prominent part, presented their offerings first, and then were followed by as many of their male companions as were similarly disposed.
brought bracelets, c.—There was in that early age no money in the form of coins or bullion. What money passed current with the merchant consisted of rings which were weighed, and principally of ornaments for personal decoration. Astonishment at the abundance of their ornaments is at an end when we learn that costly and elegant ornaments abounded in proportion as clothing was simple and scarce among the Egyptians, and some, entirely divested of clothing, yet wore rich necklaces [HENGSTENBERG]. Among people with Oriental sentiments and tastes, scarcely any stronger proof could have been given of the power of religion than their willingness not only to lay aside, but to devote those much-valued trinkets to the house of God and thus all, like the Eastern sages, laid the best they had at the service of God.
30. See, the Lord hath called by name Bezaleel, the son of Uri, c.—Moses had made this communication before [see also see on Exodus 35:3]. But now that the collection had been made, the materials were contributed, and the operations of building about to be commenced, it was with the greatest propriety he reminded the people that the individuals entrusted with the application of their gold and silver had been nominated to the work by authority to which all would bow.
35. Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart—A statement which not only testifies that skill in art and science is a direct gift from God, but that weaving was especially the business of men in Egypt (see Exodus 38:22; Exodus 39:22; Exodus 39:27). And in perfect harmony with the testimony of the monuments is the account given by Moses to the artists who were divinely taught the arts necessary for the embellishment of the tabernacle. Others, whose limited means did not admit of these expensive contributions, offered their gratuitous services in fabricating such articles of tapestry as were needed; arts which the Israelitish females learned as bondwomen, in the houses of Egyptian princes.