Exodus 36

Ex 36:1-38.

OFFERINGS

DELIVERED TO THE

WORKMEN.

1. Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise-hearted

man, &c.--Here is an illustrious example of zeal and activity in

the work of the Lord. No unnecessary delay was allowed to take place;

and from the moment the first pole was stuck in the ground till the

final completion of the sacred edifice, he and his associates labored

with all the energies both of mind and body engaged in the work. And

what was the mainspring of their arduous and untiring diligence? They

could be actuated by none of the ordinary motives that give impulse to

human industry, by no desire for the acquisition of gain; no ambition

for honor; no view of gratifying a mere love of power in directing the

labors of a large body of men. They felt the stimulus--the strong

irresistible impulse of higher and holier motives--obedience to the

authority, zeal for the glory, and love to the service of God.

3. they (the workmen)

received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had

brought, &c.--It appears that the building was begun after the

first few contributions were made; it was progressively carried on, and

no necessity occurred to suspend operations even for the shortest

interval, from want of the requisite materials.

they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning,

&c.--Moses, in common with other Oriental magistrates, had his morning

levees for receiving the people (see on

Ex 18:13);

and it was while he was performing his magisterial duties that the

people brought unto him freewill offerings every morning. Some who had

nothing but their manual labor to give would spend a great part of the

night in hastening to complete their self-imposed task before the early

dawn; others might find their hearts constrained by silent meditations

on their beds to open their coffers and give a part of their hoarded

treasure to the pious object. All whose hearts were touched by piety,

penitence, or gratitude, repaired with eager haste into the presence of

Moses, not as heretofore, to have their controversies settled, but to

lay on his tribunal their contributions to the sanctuary of God

(2Co 9:7).

5. they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than

enough, &c.--By the calculations which the practised eyes of the

workmen enabled them to make, they were unanimously of the opinion that

the supply already far exceeded the demand and that no more

contributions were required. Such a report reflects the highest honor

on their character as men of the strictest honor and integrity, who,

notwithstanding they had command of an untold amount of the most

precious things and might, without any risk of human discovery, have

appropriated much to their own use, were too high principled for such

acts of peculation. Forthwith, a proclamation was issued to stop

further contributions

[Ex 36:6].

35. he made a veil of blue--the second or inner veil, which

separated the holy from the most holy place, embroidered with cherubim

and of great size and thickness.

37. made an hanging for the . . . door--Curtains of

elaborately wrought needlework are often suspended over the entrance to

tents of the great nomad sheiks, and throughout Persia, at the entrance

of summer tents, mosques, and palaces. They are preferred as cooler and

more elegant than wooden doors. This chapter contains an instructive

narrative: it is the first instance of donations made for the worship

of God, given from the wages of the people's sufferings and toils. They

were acceptable to God

(Php 4:18),

and if the Israelites showed such liberality, how much more should

those whose privilege it is to live under the Christian dispensation

(1Co 6:20; 16:2).