“And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel that they bring Me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take My offering” (Verses 1-2). The children of Israel were a redeemed people who had once taken shelter under the blood of the Passover lamb in Egypt, and therefore God could accept what they brought.
Unsaved people often try to bring something of their own works to God, but His Word tells us that “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination” (Prov. 15:88The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. (Proverbs 15:8)). Such offerings are like what Cain brought and can never be accepted. Neither they nor their offerings can be accepted apart from the blood of Christ which alone makes us fit to stand before God. This is what Abel’s offering spoke of, and therefore both he and his offering were accepted.
Metals That Teach Lessons
The children of Israel were told to bring gold, silver, brass, and other things to the Lord. As we remarked before, these are types and shadows of heavenly things. The offering of these things to the Lord would show us what true worship is, for each of these different metals and other things speak of the varied aspects of Christ’s Person and work. However, we are not left to our own imagination as to the meaning, but will find the explanation within the pages of God’s blessed Word. Of course God’s book is infinite and we are only finite, so we can only touch the surface of the precious things taught us in these chapters. We are slow learners, too, but let us be diligent, for “The soul of the diligent shall be made fat” (Prov. 13:44The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. (Proverbs 13:4)).
True Learning and Worship
We must, however, approach the Word of God with subject minds and wills, realizing that the Spirit of God is the true teacher. We learn mathematics and languages according to our natural ability and intellect, but we do not learn the things of God in this way. The Spirit of God can only teach us when our wills are in subjection, and we are willing to walk in the truth. “Head knowledge” of the truth of God is dangerous, and we have no desire in these chapters to add to the intellectual knowledge of any who do not want to practice the truth which they learn. God wants reality in our Christian lives, and would have us walking according to the light He has given us.
True worship then, as we learn from our chapter, is to present Christ to God in all the glory and perfection of His Person and work. How little is known of this today! How many people are all taken up with their blessings, and show little attachment of heart to Christ. Such Christians are like a child who receives a beautiful present from his father, and appreciates it, too, yet never wants his father’s company. How it would grieve the father’s heart! The Lord wants your company. He not only wants you to serve Him and to sing of your blessings, but He wants you to find your delight in Him. It gives Him joy to see you at the prayer meeting, at the Bible reading, and to find you in your place at His table remembering Him in His death. The children of Israel’s offering was that which typically spoke of Christ, and so in worship God delights to have His children tell Him how much they think of Christ, His well beloved Son. Nothing is more pleasing to Him than this.
Further Meditation
1. What prepares us to stand before God?
2. What is the typical meaning of the gold, silver and brass mentioned in this chapter?
3. Christ is All! by F. C. Blount does a wonderful job of presenting the truth of having true fellowship with the Lord and not just selfishly enjoying our blessings.