"So all the work on the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, was completed. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses." Exodus 39:32
One reason God met with Moses on Mt. Sinai was to give him the Ten Commandments and other laws and instructions for the Israelites. A second reason for this meeting was for God to give Moses the instructions for building a tabernacle where God would dwell with His people. If Moses had come down with only the Ten Commandments and other laws, the situation for the human race would have been hopeless, because no one has ever been able to keep the Ten Commandments, much less all of God's laws. But the tabernacle gave men a way to be forgiven for their sins and a way to be able to approach God. God was very specific in all the details which stipulated how He was to be worshiped. Not only was worshiping God important, but obedience to God's instructions was important as well.
The beginning phrase of building the tabernacle was to collect the materials for it. In Exodus 25:1-2 we see this invitation, "The Lord said to Moses, 'Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give.'" Remember, God loves a cheerful giver. The people responded by bringing all sorts of fine materials--gold, silver, bronze, fine linen, oil, spices, precious stones, and acacia wood. The reason these former slaves had such wealth in the wilderness is because God caused the Egyptians to give His people the things that would be needed to build the tabernacle as they left Egypt. God had prepared ahead for His earthly dwelling place.
The Israelites gave so willingly and lavishly that Moses had to tell them to stop, that they had all the material they needed. If anyone had been slow to respond, he might well have missed his opportunity to contribute, to have the blessing of having his offering be part of the tabernacle.
Our giving reflects how we feel about God. Our gifts should be given willingly, lavishly, in a timely manner, with love and gratitude, from the very best we have to offer.
No comments:
Post a Comment