Thought from today’s Bible reading from Exodus 36-38.
Though God specified Bezalel, Oholiab, and other skilled workers to construct the tabernacle, the people would also be able to contribute in the work, but this would be done voluntarily (Exodus 35:21-29).
The people were to be commended in that they did not begin to do this eagerly, then slack off as the newness faded. Instead, they “continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning” (Exodus 36:3). As a result, those who were constructing the tabernacle ended up with a great surplus of supplies.
“And they said to Moses, ‘The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the Lord commanded us to perform.’ 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 36:5-6).
What a contrast between this and what we see too commonly today!
- The Israelites had to be told to stop helping in the work. Many Christians today are unwilling to engage in good works, in spite of the encouragement of their brethren.
- The Israelites had sacrificed so much that there was more than enough to do the work. Many Christians today do not want to be inconvenienced or burdened by spiritual endeavors and certainly do not want to consider whether they may be able to put more in the collection plate each week.
- The Israelites went above and beyond what was expected of them. Too many Christians today are only interested in doing the least that they can to get by.
Tomorrow’s reading: Exodus 39-40
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
Daily Notes & Observations contains all 365 articles from this series and is available in paperback from Gospel Armory.
