Exodus 35:21

_AND ALL THE CONGREGATION OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL DEPARTED FROM THE PRESENCE OF MOSES._ All the congregation of ... Israel ... 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. Verse 21. EVERY ONE WHOSE HEART STIRRED HIM. One powerful element, doubtless, of this extraordinary open-hearted liberality was the remembrance of their recent transgression, which made them "zealous of good works" (cf. 2 Corinthians 7:11). But along with this motive there were others of a higher and nobler kind-a principle of love to God a

20-29 Without a willing mind, costly offerings would be abhorred; with it, the smallest will be accepted. Our hearts are willing, when we cheerfully assist in promoting the cause of God. Those who are diligent and contented in employments considered mean, are as much accepted of God as those engaged in splendid services. The women who spun the goats' hair were wise-hearted, because they did it heartily to the Lord. Thus the labourer, mechanic, or servant who attends to his work in the faith and fear of God, may be as wise, for his place, as the most useful minister, and he equally accepted of the Lord. Our wisdom and duty consist in giving God the glory and use of our talents, be they many or few....

Verse Exodus 35:21. _EVERY ONE WHOSE HEART STIRRED HIM UP_] Literally, _whose_ _heart was lifted up _- whose affections were set on the work, being cordially engaged in the service of God....

EXPOSITION THE ZEAL OF THE PEOPLE IN OFFERING. Moses dismissed the people; but they soon began to return, bringing their offerings with them. There was a general, if not a universal, willingness Men and women alike "brought bracelets (brooches?), and earrings, and rings, and armlets—all articles of gold," and offered them to the Lord (Exodus 35:22). Others brought blue and purple and scalier and fine linen, and goats' hair and rams' skins dyed red, and badger (or rather, seal) skins (Exodus 35:23). Silver and bronze and shittimwood were contributed by others (Exodus 35:24). The women, who were

AND THEY CAME EVERYONE WHOSE HEART STIRRED HIM UP,.... Who felt an impulse upon his mind, a strong inclination in him: AND EVERYONE WHOM HIS SPIRIT MADE WILLING; or was endowed with a free and liberal spirit, and was heartily willing to bear a part, and cheerfully contribute to this service; otherwise the willing mind, as well as the ability, were given them of God; see 1 Chronicles 29:14: AND THEY BROUGHT THE LORD'S OFFERING; an offering to him, and such as he directed and disposed them to bring, and which was for his worship and service, and the honour of his name, and was acceptable to him: TO THE WORK OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION; for the making of that, the several parts of it, and all things in it: AND FOR ALL HIS SERVICE; either the service of God, or of his tabernacle, which is the sa

6. THE BUILDING OF THE TABERNACLE CHAPTER 35 The Commandments Concerning the Tabernacle Remembered and the Offerings _ 1. The Sabbath law emphasized (Exodus 35:1)_ 2. The offerings restated (Exodus 35:4) 3. The tabernacle and its furniture restated (Exodus 35:11) 4. The offerings given (Exodus 35:20) 5. The workmen and the teachers (Exodus 35:30) It is interesting to review the events and steps which lead to this consummation in Exodus, the setting up of the tabernacle. After Jehovah had redeemed His

EXODUS 35-40. P S. THE CONSTRUCTION AND ERECTION OF THE SACRED TENT. This division of the book is generally recognised as coming from the latest stratum in the Hexateuch. This conclusion can be denied (as recently by A. H. Finn in JThS 16:449- 481) only by those who ignore the number, variety, and independence of the converging lines of proof which point to it. The clearest and most specific ground for it is that the later elements in the appendix (Exodus 30 f.) to Exodus 25-29 are here redistributed and put in their proper places. Further, the radical differences of order, and astonishing omissions as, in places, of the incense altar and the laver (both among the supplements in Exodus 30) in LXX require the assumption that the Gr. translators had the material before them in an earlier and less well-arranged draft of the Heb. text. It does not follow that all differences are due to this...

THEY CAME. Samaritan Pentateuch and Septuagint read "they brought in". HEART STIRRED. See note on Exodus 35:5. SPIRIT. Hebrew. _ruach._ See App-9. THE LORD'S OFFERING. the heave offering of Jehovah. See note on Exodus 29:27, and compare App-43. TABERNACLE. tent. Hebrew. _'ohel._ App-40....

How the people responded to Moses" summons: ordinary men, women, and -rulers," all brought willingly whatever their means, or their ability, enabled them to provide. An ideal picture of a community ready and eager to contribute liberally to the sanctuary and service of its God. Cf. on Exodus 25:1. Presentation of the offerings....

WHOSE HEART STIRRED HIM UP— In the Hebrew it is, _whose heart lifted him up;_ and so in Exodus 35:26. Nothing elevates and exalts the mind so much as true piety and gratitude to God....