Chapter 17

Please read Exodus, chapters 34-40.

These chapters allow us to see how it became practically possible for sinful people to experience fellowship with a most Holy God. What about the mass-congregation? Well, they too were heavily involved. Let’s read about them.

Exodus 35:20-29 “Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses’ presence.”

They now had work to do! See their change of attitude.

v.21 “and everyone WHO WAS WILLING AND WHOSE HEART MOVED HIM

came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the Tent of Meeting,

for all its service, and for the sacred garments.”

These were the people who knew the art of grumbling, who had danced in merriment around an idol-god, a manmade golden calf.

v.22 “ALL WHO WERE WILLING, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds; brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the Lord”.

It was more than a mood change. There was change in the hearts.

v.23 “Everyone who had blue, purple or scarlet yarn, or fine linen, or goat hair,

ram skins dyed red or hides of sea cows brought them.”

Now there were numbers of grateful, loving hearts.

v.24 “Those presenting an offering of silver or bronze brought it as an offering to the Lord, and every one who had acacia wood for any part of the work brought it.

When they did not have gold, silver or bronze, they may have some acacia wood. But that also, they BROUGHT IT.

v.25 “Every skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had

spun – blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen”.

They did what they could and they gave what they had.

v.26 “And all the women WHO WERE WILLING and had the skill spun the

goat hair.”

They did not have blue, purple or scarlet yearn or fine linen; it was only goat hair; they were willing to give their time and spin that.

v.27 “The leaders brought onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the

ephod and breastplate (Exodus 39)”.

Exodus 40:19 “Then he (Moses) spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering over the tent, as the Lord commanded him.”

It all seems a little complicated. It is not. Here we need to exercise some sanctified common sense. Please feel free to read this verse like this: ‘ Moses spread the Tent (of Meeting) over the tabernacle (contents) and put the

covering (for the tabernacle) over the tent. A precious illustration of what has happened to me. My heart is now the tent of meeting where God meets me, Person to person. That tent of meeting is covered, top, sides and front, completely covered by a tabernacle of God’s glorious, forgiving grace and righteousness. Dear Lord, please lead me, teach me to daily be in that tent of meeting.

The seven chapters are filled with God’s instructions as to how His tabernacle should be built and used. The craftsmen, ordained by God, were inspired by His blue prints. But not everybody was a God ordained crafts-man. What about the mass of the congregation? We did already read about them. The God ordained crafts-men could not have functioned, the work would never have been completed to God’s satisfaction if the congregation had not functioned properly. Read again what they did! What does God expect from our congregations today? Not essentially gold or silver or a lesser thing than that. His desire is for loving, faithful, willing hearts, primarily giving themselves first and after that giving back to Him those things He has given first.

Here are two things we need to notice. They are important for everybody who does not only want to know God. Important for everybody who wants to walk with God. That walk requires devotion to God. Always admiring God’s holiness, His righteousness, His love and grace, His matchless wisdom and His power without limit. God desires devotion from all who know Him and want to walk with Him.

Secondly, God desires obedience in His people. They need to acknowledge His wisdom and His holy will. He desires of His people that they, in obedience, walk under the umbrella of His almighty power and wisdom.

Let us summarize and close with these verses:

Exodus 36:4 “So all the skilled craftsmen, who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left their work

v.5 and said to Moses ‘The people are bringing more than enough for the work the Lord commanded to be done’ “.

Exodus 39:42,43 “The Israelites (craftsmen with congregation) had done all the work ‘just as the Lord had commanded Moses’. Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blest them.”

The prayer on my heart is that my readers may turn to the God of the Bible or

get to know Him better. Please do not get overly involved with the people of

Israel, but primarily do get to know the God of the Bible. May He lead all of us

to be a devoted and obedient congregation of His people.

Amen.

H.C.Kalkman.