Exodus 35:29 The children of Israel brought a willing offering to the LORD, every man and woman… I. CO-OPERATION IN FREE GIVING. 1. The men brought their gifts (vers. 23, 24). 2. The women brought their gifts (vers. 25, 26). 3. The rulers brought their gifts (vers. 27, 28). II. GIVING BASED ON AN ACCEPTABLE PRINCIPLE. 1. Its motive was right (ver. 29). 2. Its judgment was correct. (1) The givers did what they could in their respective lines. (2) The character and variety in the gifts noticeable. III. FREE GIVING, IN ITS INFLUENCE UPON GOD (vers. 30-35). 1. If the gifts had not been forthcoming, the special skill would not have been brought into requisition. 2. The gifts, without the skill to use them, would have been of no account. 3. A Divine law is here discovered — God ever imparts to a willing people every needed grace for complete success.Lessons: 1. The contrast between the children of Israel bowing before the calves of gold and bearing cheerful offerings for God's sanctuary, is marked and suggestive. (1) It suggests the power of a sentiment for good or evil. (2) It suggests the responsibility of leaders of the people. The few create the sentiment, the many adopt it. 2. The contrast between the feelings of their covenant God toward them in these opposite attitudes. (1) Toward His sinning people He is angry. (2) Toward His obedient people He is full of grace and blessing. 3. Suggestive also is the contrast between the joy and peace of a disobedient and an obedient people. 4. We have here an instructive example of how much can be accomplished by a willing and united people in a short time. (1) Consider the costliness of the Tabernacle. (2) Consider the skill required. (D. C. Hughes, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses. |
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