Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Exodus 35
Exodus 35:2Six days work shall be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it shall be put to death.
This verse places the Sabbath command right before the call to build, showing that our relationship with God, marked by trust and rest, must come before our service for Him.Exodus 35:21And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord's contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments.
This highlights the internal motivation of the people. Their giving was not forced. It was a spontaneous and joyful response from hearts genuinely moved to honor God.Exodus 35:30-31Then Moses said to the people of Israel, "See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship,
Moses makes it clear that Bezalel's artistic and technical abilities are a divine gift, not natural talents. God's Spirit equips people with skill and intelligence for His specific purposes.
Historical & Cultural Context
From Golden Calf to God's Dwelling Place
This chapter follows the dramatic events of the golden calf in Exodus 32 and the subsequent renewal of the covenant in Exodus 34. The relationship between God and Israel had been broken but is now restored. Instead of dwelling on their failure, God, through Moses, immediately invites the people into a positive, forward-looking project. Building the Tabernacle is a tangible way for the community to reaffirm their commitment and participate in creating a central place for God's presence to dwell among them.
A Call for Willing Hearts and Skilled Hands
Moses assembles the entire community, a significant act of unity. He first re-establishes the foundational law of the Sabbath, reminding them that their identity as God's people is rooted in worship and rest, not work. He then presents God's command to build the Tabernacle, not as a demand but as an invitation for those with a 'generous heart' to contribute. The scene is one of grace, where the people are given an opportunity to channel their devotion correctly, using their resources and skills for God's glory.
Building God's House Together
In Exodus 35, Moses gathers the Israelites at the foot of Mount Sinai. Having renewed their covenant with God, they are now tasked with a monumental project: constructing a portable sanctuary, the Tabernacle. The chapter unfolds as a call to action, beginning with a foundational principle of rest and moving to an invitation for everyone to contribute their resources and talents to make God's dwelling place a reality.
The Foundation of Rest (Exodus 35:1-3)
1 Moses assembled all the congregation of the people of Israel and said to them, "These are the things that the Lord has commanded you to do.
2 Six days work shall be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it shall be put to death.
3 You shall kindle no fire in all your dwelling places on the Sabbath day.”
Commentary:
Moses reminds the people that observing the Sabbath is a non-negotiable act of holiness, even during the Tabernacle's construction.
The Invitation to Give (Exodus 35:4-19)
4 Moses said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, "This is the thing that the Lord has commanded.
5 Take from among you a contribution to the Lord. Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the Lord's contribution: gold, silver, and bronze;
6 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,
7 And the ram skins dyed red, and the fine leather, and the acacia wood,
8 and oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense,
9 skilled women spun with their hands, and brought what they had spun in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen.
10 “Let every skillful craftsman among you come and make all that the Lord has commanded:
11 the tabernacle, its tent and its covering, its hooks and its frames, its bars, its pillars, and its bases;
12 the finely worked garments for ministering in the Holy Place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests."
13 the table with its poles and all its utensils, and the bread of the Presence;
14 the lampstand also for the light, with its utensils and its lamps, and the oil for the light,
15 And the altar of incense, with its poles, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the screen for the entrance of the tent;
16 And the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils and the basin and its stand.
17 the hangings of the court, its pillars, and its bases, and the screen for the gate of the court,
18 the pegs of the tabernacle and the pegs of the court, and their cords;
19 the finely worked garments for ministering in the Holy Place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests."
Commentary:
Moses calls for voluntary offerings of specific materials needed to construct every part of the Tabernacle and its furnishings.
The Overwhelming Response (Exodus 35:20-29)
20 Then all the congregation of the people of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.
21 And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord's contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments.
22 So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the Lord.
23 Everyone who could make a contribution of silver or bronze brought the Lord's contribution. And every one who possessed acacia wood of any use in the work brought it.
24 Everyone who could make a contribution of silver or bronze brought the Lord's contribution. And every one who possessed acacia wood of any use in the work brought it.
25 And every skillful woman spun with her hands, and they all brought what they had spun in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen.
26 All the women whose hearts stirred them to use their skill spun the goats' hair.
27 And the leaders brought onyx stones and stones to be set, for the ephod and for the breastpiece,
28 And they brought the tabernacle to Moses, the tent and all its utensils, its hooks, its frames, its bars, its pillars, and its bases;
29 All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the Lord had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the Lord.
Commentary:
Moved in their hearts, the entire community of Israel responds with overwhelming generosity, bringing all the necessary materials as a freewill offering.
The Spirit-Filled Artisans (Exodus 35:30-35)
30 Then Moses said to the people of Israel, "See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;
31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship,
32 to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze,
33 And in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, for work in every skilled craft.
34 And he has inspired him to teach, both him and Oholiab the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan.
35 He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver - by any sort of workman or skilled designer.
Commentary:
Moses announces that God has specially chosen and empowered Bezalel and Oholiab with His Spirit, giving them the artistic skill to lead the construction.
Core Truths in Israel's Unified Offering
Generosity from a Willing Heart
This chapter emphasizes that the motivation behind giving is what matters to God. The offerings were not coerced but came from people 'whose heart stirred him' (Exodus 35:21). This shows that true worship involves a joyful, voluntary, and personal response to God's goodness.
The Spirit's Empowerment for Service
The skills of Bezalel and Oholiab are explicitly attributed to being filled with the 'Spirit of God' (Exodus 35:31). Artistic and practical skills are a divine gift, similar to prophecy or leadership. God equips people with the specific talents needed to build His kingdom.
Community Participation in God's Work
The building of the Tabernacle was a project for the entire community. Men, women, leaders, and artisans all had a part to play, whether by giving materials or using their skills. This illustrates that the work of God is a shared effort, where every contribution is valued.
Worship Through Rest and Work
By placing the Sabbath command at the very beginning, the chapter frames the entire construction project as an act of worship. Both the ceasing from work (Sabbath) and the skilled labor on the Tabernacle are ways the people can honor God and live out their covenant relationship with Him.
Bringing the Tabernacle Principle Home
Exodus 35 reveals a God who desires to dwell with His people and delights in their partnership. He is not a distant ruler who demands tribute, but a relational God who invites everyone to participate in His work. He provides the vision, the resources, and even the skills, showing that He is the ultimate source of all good things.
You can apply this by prayerfully considering the time, talents, and resources you have and asking God how you can use them for His purposes. Like the Israelites in Exodus 35:29, this means offering what you have not out of duty or for praise, but from a genuine, joyful desire to contribute to the work of your church and community.
It means that your talents - whether in art, technology, administration, or craftsmanship - are gifts from God for His service, not random abilities. Exodus 35:35 encourages you to see your work, whatever it may be, as a potential act of worship and a way to contribute to God's kingdom with the unique skills He has given you.
God's Dwelling Built by His People
Exodus 35 shows that God's plan is to dwell among His people in a place built by their own willing hands. He provides the pattern and empowers the workers, but He invites the community to bring the substance of their lives - their wealth, their skills, their time - as an act of worship. God does not merely want our obedience. He wants our joyful, heartfelt participation in His redemptive work in the world.
What This Means for Us Today
The call to build the Tabernacle was an invitation for Israel to turn from past failures and invest in a future centered on God's presence. Today, that same invitation extends to us to help build God's church. We are all called to bring our unique, Spirit-given gifts and contribute them willingly to the beautiful, collective work He is doing in the world.
- What specific skill or resource can you contribute with a 'willing heart' this week?
- Where do you need to prioritize rest in God before you begin working for God?
- Who are the 'Bezalels' in your community - those with God-given skills - that you can encourage and support?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
This chapter details the renewal of the covenant after the golden calf incident, setting the stage for the community's restored devotion seen in Exodus 35.
The narrative continues as the work begins, and the people's generosity is so great that Moses has to tell them to stop giving.
Connections Across Scripture
Provides a parallel account of King David and the leaders of Israel giving willingly and joyfully for the construction of the Temple.
The Apostle Paul elaborates on the New Testament principle of giving, emphasizing that 'God loves a cheerful giver,' echoing the heart-motivation seen in Exodus 35.
This passage teaches that believers should use their spiritual gifts to serve one another, reflecting the way the Israelites used their diverse skills to build the Tabernacle.
Discussion Questions
- Exodus 35:21 says the people came 'everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him.' What does it feel like when your heart is 'stirred' to give or serve, and how can we cultivate that kind of sensitivity to God's leading?
- The chapter lists a wide variety of contributions, from gold and silver to spun yarn and acacia wood. How does this encourage you about the value of your own unique skills and resources, even if they seem small or ordinary?
- How does the command to rest on the Sabbath (verses 1-3) challenge our modern culture of constant productivity, especially when we are doing 'good work' for God?
Glossary
figures
Moses
The prophet chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and deliver His law at Mount Sinai.
Bezalel
The chief artisan, filled with the Spirit of God, who was chosen to oversee the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings.
Oholiab
A skilled artisan from the tribe of Dan appointed to assist Bezalel in the Tabernacle construction.