The last section of the book of Exodus, chapters 35-40, tells how the people gladly responded to the directions God gave Moses as to building the tabernacle. If God had dealt with them according to the covenant which they had voluntarily entered into and quickly broken, then their history would have ended in judgment. But Moses interceded for them, and God in His grace and mercy spared them.
Now we see their zeal as they work together in the construction and service of the tabernacle. But first of all, God tells them they were to work only six days, for the seventh was to be “a sabbath of rest unto the Lord.” Whatever the work of the Lord might be, He will ever remind us that His rest remains for His people.
The call then goes out telling of the Lord’s desire to receive from His people an offering of materials, whether useful and ornamental, common or costly, for the making of the tabernacle. Their eager readiness is shown in that “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, 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. ... 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 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” (Ex. 35:22-2822And 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. 23And 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. 24Every 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. 25And 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. 26And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' hair. 27And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate; 28And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense. (Exodus 35:22‑28)).
Wisdom of Heart
Also the Lord called Bezaleel and Aholiab and filled them “with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in scarlet, and in fine linen” (Ex. 35:3535Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work. (Exodus 35:35)). These men must have loved the Lord, and doubtless that is one of the reasons why God chose them and gave them wisdom to serve Him. He also gave them ability to teach others, and what a lovely picture we have here of these workers, called of God, to be used of Him for His own glory, in the carrying out of His mind and will!
Surely this is a pattern for us, as it is for the people of God in all dispensations, so that we can find much encouragement in these scriptures. The Lord has a work for each of us to do, and He will give the wisdom and strength for it. How lovely it is to see believers happily working together in the service of the Lord, seeking to please and glorify Him.
Exodus 36 shows us the chosen workmen engaged in their assigned tasks, and even begging Moses to check the overabundant supplies the people were bringing in. Moses inspected all the work and ten times in Exodus 39 we read it was done “as the Lord commanded.” Then he blessed them.
The Word of God
We have the Word of God to guide us just “as the Lord commanded,” and now He is writing in His book above as to how we are carrying out the “pattern” He has given us. Alas, we must all confess how we have failed, but there is a day coming when every believer will be just like our Pattern — just like Christ.
At last the work was finished and the tabernacle set up. Then the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, so that Moses could not enter in because of the cloud of glory that dwelt there. God had found at last a dwelling-place in the midst of His people redeemed from Egypt. And He was pleased to journey with them, for the cloud by day and the fire by night was always the token of His presence before Israel. “Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord” (Psa. 144:1515Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord. (Psalm 144:15)).
“Bible Talks,” Messages of the Love of God