Exodus 35-40
Life in the desert: Giving to God
Exodus 35:20 – 36:7 and 39:32 – 40:38
The Broader Context
Giving to the creator God
Psalm 24:1
The world and all that is in it belong to the LORD; the earth and all who live on it are his. (use)
1 Samuel 2:7
He makes some poor and others rich; he humbles some and makes others great. (use)
Acts 17:24-25
Nor does he need anything that we can supply by working for him, since it is he himself who gives life and breath and everything else to everyone. God, who made the world and everything in it, is Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. (use)
James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect present comes from heaven; it comes down from God, the Creator of the heavenly lights, who does not change or cause darkness by turning. (use)
The Immediate Context
For Israel: Post escape from Egypt, post red sea crossing, post the covenant, post commandments.
Exodus 35:21
"and everyone who wished to do so brought an offering to the LORD for making the Tent of the LORD 's presence. They brought everything needed for use in worship and for making the priestly garments." (use)
Required of God, to conduct the activity of his worship. His work, resourced. Given by those who wished to as a consequence of the out working of free will.
Exodus 35:31
God has filled him with his power[a] and given him skill, ability, and understanding for every kind of artistic work, (use)
Gifting's to be offered to Gods service are gifts given by him.
Exodus 36:2
"Moses called Bezalel, Oholiab, and all the other skilled men to whom the LORD had given ability and who were willing to help, and Moses told them to start working." (use)
Possible to be gifted by God and unwilling to give.
Exodus 36:6-7
"So Moses sent a command throughout the camp that no one was to make any further contribution for the sacred Tent; so the people did not bring any more. What had already been brought was more than enough to finish all the work." (use)
Sufficiency of provision and gifting (perhaps removed from our typical discernment of provision.)
Exodus 39:32
All the work on the Tent of the LORD 's presence was finally completed. The Israelites made everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses. (use)
Obedience to God.
Exodus 40:33-38
"Moses set up the enclosure round the Tent and the altar and hung the curtain at the entrance of the enclosure. So he finished all the work. Then the cloud covered the Tent and the dazzling light of the LORD 's presence filled it. Because of this, Moses could not go into the Tent. The Israelites moved their camp to another place only when the cloud lifted from the Tent. As long as the cloud stayed there, they did not move their camp. During all their wanderings they could see the cloud of the LORD 's presence over the Tent during the day and a fire burning above it during the night." (use)
The presence of God to lead and to guide. Manifestly present.
Jesus On Giving
Mark 12 The Widows Offering
Acts 2:45
They would sell their property and possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed. (use)
For Us
Potentially for us: Post unmerited election, post pro-active action, unearned miraculous intervention, post rescue from slavery, post salvation.
O to grace how great a debtor Daily I’m constrained to be!
Robinson, R., 1757. Come Thou Fount of every blessing. (use)
our giving is informed by the cross and the light of eternity
1 Corinthians 16:2
Every Sunday each of you must put aside some money, in proportion to what you have earned, and save it up, so that there will be no need to collect money when I come. (use)
2 Corinthians 9:7
You should each give, then, as you have decided, not with regret or out of a sense of duty; for God loves the one who gives gladly. (use)
2 Corinthians 8:9
You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; rich as he was, he made himself poor for your sake, in order to make you rich by means of his poverty. (use)
2 Corinthians 9:15
Let us thank God for his priceless gift! (use)