The directions concerning the construction of the tabernacle, and the institution of priesthood–without which there could be no presentation to God of sacrifice at the brazen altar, or worship at the golden altar–are the subjects of seven chapters in Exodus 25-31. How cheerfully and abundantly the “willing hearted”–both of men and woman–contributed to their substance, and how truly the “wise hearted”–both men and woman–wrought in the work till all was completed. Then Jehovah sanctified the tabernacle, filling it with His glory.
The materials required for the construction of the tabernacle were collected by the voluntary, freewill offerings of the people. There was no compulsion. All was a labor of love. The legal element, giving or doing for reward, was conspicuous by its absence. The motive spring was the enjoyed grace of Jehovah. Exodus 25:1-9; 35; 36:1-7, form a piece of delightful reading–positively refreshing in these days of meanness and mercenary motive.
Willing Offerers
All of Israel, from the youngest to the eldest, from the poorest to the richest–but of Israel only–are contemplated in this bright scene of devotedness and service to Jehovah. No stranger or alien from the commonwealth of Israel was permitted to offer, or work in preparing a dwelling for Jehovah (Ex. 35:4-5).
No one was asked to give. There was no solicitation and no printed list of donors. Jehovah’s intervention on Israel’s behalf was the one and only worthy motive which led to the devotedness of that day. Acts 2 is its counterpart in Christian times. If Jehovah is to inhabit the praises of Israel and dwell in the midst of His redeemed people, all others are necessarily excluded. A saved people alone can form God’s habitation.
The Redeemed Alone are in View
Where have we drifted to when the aid of the world is invoked; its gold and silver eagerly sought, and the patronage of the rich and great courted, but who, nevertheless, are the rejecters of our adorable Lord? “Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God” (Jas. 4:4). In the present condition of things the sharp and scriptural line of demarcation between the Church and the world (2 Cor. 6:14-18) is nearly obliterated. The boundary wall of separation between the friends and enemies of Jesus is in ruins. The Church as a whole has deliberately abandoned the safe and holy ground of absolute dependence on the living God. She has ceased to lean on an Almighty arm. The world has poured its gold into the lap of a luxurious Church. The doors of the sanctuary are widely opened for the free admission of strangers to God, who are invited, moreover, to participate with Christians in acts of “public worship.”
How contrary to this is the unworldly Christianity of early Apostolic times. The company of the redeemed then, was both an inclusive and exclusive one. It embraced the whole number of believers: it was rigidly exclusive of men and things not sanctified by the precious blood of Christ. What is needed is not a reformed Church, but a distinct and positive return to primitive Christianity.
Poured Out Riches
In the construction of the tabernacle there was work for every member of the mighty host. Jehovah, whom “the heaven of heavens cannot contain” desired to dwell among men. He could have created for Himself a palace outrivalling that of the Pharaohs’ or Caesars’ and one worthy of His presence, but such were His riches and condescending grace that He would have the willing hearts and ready hands of redeeming people to prepare Him a home. “Let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.”
The hearts of the people were deeply touched by the many signal displays of Jehovah’s intervention on their behalf. Love was conspicuously displayed throughout the camp of Israel. It overflowed the banks and barriers of human selfishness. It had its spring in Jehovah Himself. Its strength and reality were proved by generous deeds. The grace of God was answered by the grace of the people, for right worthy was Jehovah to receive their love and wealth! Their hearts were freely opened, and their riches poured out morning after morning into the treasury. So fully and abundantly did the people respond to the claim of love that their generosity had to be restrained. “For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much” (36:7).
Too Much
“Too much”! In a somewhat lengthened period of over 60 years of happy service for our beloved Lord, we have only known of one instance in which on a certain occasion we had the joy of crying, “too much”! We had to restrain the generous giving of many and assure the givers that the great need of those in whom we were interested was abundantly met. Checks were returned, for the need had been satisfied. Is the Lord’s treasury now so filled to overflowing? Has the grace of God so reached our hearts that it has emptied our pockets? Is our wealth poured out at the Lord’s feet? Is our love of such a self-sacrificing character, that we give not according to the giving of the rich, who cast into the treasury “of their abundance,” but of the poor widow, who “of her [penny] hath cast in all the living that she had?” (Lk. 21) Do you think that the poor widow, whose only support was Jehovah, would not be cared for by Him? Yes, certainly! If the worthiness of Jehovah wrought such wonders of grace among Israel of old, surely the worthiness of the Lamb ought to yield even a deeper form of devotedness in us! “Worthy is the Lamb to receive…riches.”
Give and Do
If any were too poor to give, they could at least work. There was something for all–for millions of people–something to give and to do. It might not be much, but its acceptance by Jehovah was not according to the wealth of the giver, or the wisdom of the workman, but according to the state of the heart. It is so now. “God loveth a cheerful giver.” The willing-hearted gave; the wise-hearted worked. Intelligence, skill, and knowledge of Jehovah’s requirements characterized these latter. They wrought according to the pattern shown to Moses on the mount, and no deviation could be allowed, or an amended plan tolerated. “God is jealous and the Lord revengeth” any affront on His glory or on His Word.
Jehovah Himself was the architect of His own house, hence nothing was left to man’s judgment, or to what he might consider best. The whole was arranged and planned according to infinite wisdom.
The size, number, and other specifications of such small items, and mere matters of details as pins, cords, hooks, and taches were divinely regulated. What a lesson to us! Obedience to God must be rendered to Him not as we see fit, nor in weighty matters only. But obedience to Him is due at all times; we must do His will at all cost. Our life as God’s children in all its detail, ought to be a life of simple and prompt obedience. We are not our own. We are the blood-bought property of another. We cannot make our choice concerning a path of obedience. We live only to do His will in all things–great and small. We are sanctified to the obedience of Christ; to obey as He obeyed; to walk as He walked. A higher standard there could not be, and a lower one there must not be. “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich” (2 Cor. 8:9).