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Exodus 35:21-29

The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 35:21-29

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Zeal in offering.

Appeals are made to men, in all parts of the world, and in all ages, for material contributions towards the erection of structures in which God is to be worshipped. The spirit in which such appeals are met varies.

I. DEVOUT. None objected. None asked why a tabernacle was wanted, or why the tent which Moses had made a place of worship would not suffice. None scoffed at the idea of a "House of God." All seemed to see the propriety of it. All felt that what they brought was "the Lord's offering" (, )—a real gift to Jehovah. All longed to have a place of worship of a worthy character.

II. UNGRUDGING AND SPONTANEOUS. Their "hearts stirred them up," their "spirits made them willing" (). They "brought a willing offering unto the Lord" (). The rich brought jewels and precious spices; the men and women of the middle class brought their personal ornaments; the poor men gave brass, or silver, or a ram's skin, or a piece of acacia wood; the poor women gave the labour of their hands, and spun thread for the hangings. There was no murmuring, no complaining, no fabrication of excuses—so far as appears, no open refusing to give, though there was some abstention.

III. IMMEDIATE. In one verse we read "they departed" (), in the next () "they came." There was no delay, no considering, no discussing one with another, no asking "How much do you intend to give?" Each man seemed to be well persuaded of the truth of the adage—"Bis dat qui cito dat," and brought his offering at once.

IV. UNSELFISH AND UNCONDITIONAL. NO one wanted to have a quid pro quo as the condition of his giving. No one asked to "see the plans." All were willing to leave the ordering of the work to Moses, and put their contributions absolutely in his bands. A spirit of enthusiasm was stirred up, and none thought of anything but how much he could possibly spare for the grand work which they understood Moses to contemplate. The wealth of Easterns is stored chiefly in the form of ornaments, and to denude themselves of these was a great effort of self-sacrifice.

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Matthew Henry on Exodus 35:20-29Exodus 35:20-29 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryWithout 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 i…The Contributions for the Tabernacle. (b. c. 1491.)Exodus 35:20-29 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE TABERNACLE. (B. C. 1491.) Moses having made known to them the will of God, they went home and immediately put in practice what they had heard, Exodus 35:20. O that every congregation would thus…The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 35:21-29Exodus 35:21-29 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION 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 "bro…The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 35:21Exodus 35:21 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe Lord's offering—i.e; "their offering to Jehovah." For all his service. The use of "his" for "its" causes an unfortunate ambiguity here. The antecedent to the pronoun is not the Lord, but the tabernacle.
commentaryMatthew Henry on Exodus 35:20-29Without 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 i…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Contributions for the Tabernacle. (b. c. 1491.)THE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE TABERNACLE. (B. C. 1491.) Moses having made known to them the will of God, they went home and immediately put in practice what they had heard, Exodus 35:20. O that every congregation would thus…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 35:21-29EXPOSITION 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 "bro…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 35:21The Lord's offering—i.e; "their offering to Jehovah." For all his service. The use of "his" for "its" causes an unfortunate ambiguity here. The antecedent to the pronoun is not the Lord, but the tabernacle.Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 35:22They came, both men and women. That among the Hebrews gold ornaments were worn by men, as well as by women, is indicated by Exodus 3:22, and Exodus 32:2. The Egyptian men at the time of the Exodus wore armlets, bracelet…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 35:23Red skins of rams. The words are the same as those translated "rams' skins dyed red" in Exodus 25:5. The earlier rendering is the better one. Badger skins. Rather, "seal skins." See the comment on Exodus 25:5.Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 35:24Every one that did offer an offering of silver. It would seem that silver was offered by some in the way of a free-will offering, in addition to the compulsory half-shekel (Exodus 30:12-16). Curiously, however, the amou…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 35:25All the women that were wise-hearted—i.e; "skilful." See the comment on Exodus 28:3. Brought that which they had spun, both of blue, etc. The flax itself was dyed, so that the thread produced was already coloured. Of fi…Joseph S. Exell and contributors