Old Testament - Exodus 25-26 - May 2, 2022

 5/2/2022 – Exodus 35-36

Exodus 35

Once again, the Lord reminds the Israelites of the importance of keeping the Sabbath holy. He then goes on in v 5 offering them an opportunity to give service to the Lord as they are building the tabernacle, although he states that those who bring gifts to the Lord should do it only if they do so with a willing heart.  In v’s 5-19 the Lord gives them multiple examples of what they might offer. In our time, we also have been offered multiple ways we can give gifts to the Lord by helping those around us.  In v 10 He reminds us that “every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that the Lord hath commanded” [of the items needed for the tabernacle]. V21 “And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing…”  To me that is an alert to us to pay close attention to the promptings that come to us, and when we feel them, we should immediately follow them.

The Lord was speaking to ALL. They gave objects they had in their possession. But they also worked hard to create what was needed: “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 goat’s hair.” V’s 25-24. 

Exodus 36

V 2: “And Moses called…every wise hearted man, in whose heart the Lord had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it.” If we desire, we are called to the work. I think also that if I desire, then that’s something I should talk to Heavenly Father about in my daily prayers. In chap 35 v30-31 we learned that Bezaleel was called to work on the tabernacle and that the Lord “hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.” The Lord can do so much in our lives, it is our own fault if we fail to ask for that marvelous help. 

This was a time in which the Israelites rose to the occasion, for those who had been called to manage the building of the tabernacle went to Moses and said: “The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the Lord commanded to make.” V 5 And so they put out the word that no more articles were needed for the building. 

The remainder of this chapter goes into details of what they were doing to build this tabernacle. As I read of the amazing amount of curtains they made, I thought of all the women who had worked so hard to weave the fabric for that. It seems that everyone recognized the importance of carrying out the commandment the Lord had given, and they all worked together—each one doing a different, but important task. And most importantly all of that work was given in love—there was no problem of any giving their part grudgingly. We can check on ourselves: how do I attend and participate in my church meetings and classes, do I offer service to others, do I pay my tithing and fast offerings, do I work to build others up – and most importantly to I do that without complaint or grudge??? These are important things I need to review, not just once, but regularly.