EXODUS 36
“Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the Lord has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded.”2 And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whose mind the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work. 3 And they received from Moses all the contribution that the people of Israel had brought for doing the work on the sanctuary. They still kept bringing him freewill offerings every morning, 4 so that all the craftsmen who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each from the task that he was doing, 5 and said to Moses, “The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the Lord has commanded us to do.” 6 So Moses gave command, and word was proclaimed throughout the camp, “Let no man or woman do anything more for the contribution for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing, 7 for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more. – Exodus 36:1-7
EXODUS 36 OVERFLOWING CONTRIBUTION FOR THE SANCTUARY
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When the Lord asked the Israelites to take part in building the sanctuary
He required them to give a contribution from their hearts & out of their generosity
The freewill offerings came every morning so that the task was done by the craftsmen
But it came to a point when the overflow was too much that they were restrained.
What an interesting account that proves God’s blessings on all those who contributed willingly and generously out of their hearts. The Lord God assigned craftsmen to execute his detailed plan for the sanctuary, but he also provided the materials that came from each of their plunder from the Egyptians when they were let go by them. I think that they realized that after they sinned against God with the golden calf, they can no longer use the material wealth given to them for their own purposes, but to give back to God what they have actually received from their Lord who provided everything for them.
Whenever we give out something from our hearts to glorify the Lord, He multiplies what we supply. Because the Lord is a generous God, he expects us to be like him too when we give. After all, everything belongs to him.
REFLECTION
- Why is it important for Christians to be generous to give for God’s work?
