Exodus 35
by Pastor David Groendyk

The golden calf incident now over, the rest of Exodus describes the actual building of the tabernacle. God’s dwelling with his people has not been forfeited but is being accomplished as planned. The theme for this chapter is “giving to the Lord”.

Moses is commanding the people of Israel to give to the Lord everything that is needed for the building of the tabernacle. That begins with the various construction materials—everything from wood to linens to gold and silver (vv. 4–9). But it also includes the labor. Anyone who had skill was commanded to come help build (vv. 10–19). It reminds us that everything we have—possessions, materials, skills, abilities—is given to us by God for God. He never gives us anything solely for our own selves. Everything is to be used for God’s glory! Even your ability to lead, manage, and teach other people skills (v. 34). As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 4: “What do you have that you did not receive?” Everything you have has been given to you by God. So use it for his glory! How can you use your possessions and skills in a way that honors God and furthers his gospel?

Notice also the heart behind giving to the Lord. Over and over it’s repeated that the people must (and did!) give willingly and generously from the heart (vv. 5, 21, 22, 26, 29). It’s not enough for us just to give. God wants our hearts too. He wants our desires. He wants us to want to give. External obedience means nothing if there is no internal love for God to go with it. It’s actually quite amazing that fresh off a horrible display of apostasy, everyone in the Israelite camp was eager to give and serve. Their hearts stirred them and their spirits moved them (v. 21), they had willing hearts (v. 22), and everyone and anyone who possessed something that was needed gave it (vv. 23–25). What an act of faith! This is how the church is to act as well. Anything that the church needs for the work of ministry should be generously and joyfully given. Why is it so necessary to have our hearts behind our giving? In what ways might you be acting selfishly in not giving to the Lord? If you’re struggling with your heart’s desire to give and serve, pray even that God would make you want to want to serve today.

One section we’ve overlooked so far is verses 1–3 where Moses reminds Israel of the commandment to keep the Sabbath day. This is actually right where God left off just before the golden calf incident (see Ex. 31:12–17). Why would God begin a construction project by reiterating the Sabbath command? Because he doesn’t want just their materials and their skill, but he also wants their time. Even as God’s house is being built, God still calls his people to take one full day of every week to rest and not work on this construction project. God demands that even our schedules be dedicated and devoted to him and for his glory. First and foremost, we do that by giving him one full day out of seven to rest from our usual work and to worship him. It’s a tremendous act of faith to keep the Sabbath day holy. Do you trust his sovereignty and his goodness enough not to work for your wages for one full day? Do you love him enough to set aside your usual recreations to be with God’s people in worship every week? Are your Sundays about you, or are they about God? That’s a particularly difficult challenge in our performance-driven, work-obsessed Western world. But it is an act of faith in our Lord to give him that one full day. Can you dedicate your possessions, skills, and schedule fully to the Lord?