November 4, 2020

The book of Exodus tells the story of the birth of the nation of Israel fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham.  From the seventy descendants of Jacob, Israel was fruitful and multiplied greatly until they filled the whole land of Egypt.  After four centuries of slavery, God answers the cries of His people for deliverance.  God raises up Moses for this calling, to lead his people out of bondage to a land of promise and deliverance. 

Some of the greatest stories of the Bible are featured in Exodus—from the Ten Plagues, and the Passover, to the crossing of the Red Sea, and the establishment of the covenant at Mount Sinai. The Passover lamb, the exodus from the land of Egypt, the seven feasts, the tabernacle, and even the high priest, are all foreshadows of the ministry of Christ.

Chapters 1-18 contains the events leading up to God’s delivering the Hebrews from their captivity in Egypt, and chapters 19-40 shares the events in the wilderness and the account of God’s instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai to direct the life and worship of the nation.

Exodus 35

Sabbath Regulations

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.”

Contributions for the Tabernacle

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 blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen; goats’ hair, 7 tanned rams’ skins, and goatskins; acacia wood, 8 oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, 9 and onyx stones and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece.

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 ark with its poles, the mercy seat, and the veil of the screen; 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 door, at the door of the tabernacle; 16 the altar of burnt offering, with its grating of bronze, its poles, and all its utensils, 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.”

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 And every one who possessed blue or purple or scarlet yarns or fine linen or goats’ hair or tanned rams’ skins or goatskins brought them. 24 Everyone who could make a contribution of silver or bronze brought it as 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 spices and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense. 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.

Construction of the Tabernacle

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 and silver and bronze, 33 in cutting stones for setting, and in carving 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.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Reflection:

  • Once again, Moses reminds the people of the details for the building of the tabernacle.  The Lord tells Moses to take an offering from the people. What kind of heart does the Lord want the people to have (v. 5)? Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Do you have a heart of generosity?
  • What moved the people to bring the materials for the tabernacle (v. 21)?
  • While there were no stores or shops for the people to go to in the wilderness to purchase the items, do you not find it interesting that the items for God’s tabernacle would come from the people’s own possessions? Often, we attach personal sentiments to the things we possess.  This would have had an even more sacrificial component to the offerings the people brought.
  • God wrote the words of the covenant on the tablets, but he would fill the artists and craftsmen with his spirit to build the tabernacle.  Once again, we are reminded that God provides for the need, and we participate in the work. Is there something you can thank God for today that he provided in your time of need?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). You reveal your heart to me through your word so that I can know you. While my mind cannot comprehend all your glory, the glimpses you give are enough. I praise you for your trustworthiness and that you have made yourself known to me.  Thank you, Lord, for because of your great love for people, you gave your only, faithful, loving, and unique son. So that if anyone places their trust in him, they will possess eternal life. I thank you for revealing yourself to me so that I might have the chance to place my trust in you and receive the most precious gift of all…eternal life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

11 thoughts on “Daily Devotional-November 4th”

  1. Dear Heavenly Father,
    Thank you for another day of getting to walk on this earth.Please lead me in the paths you would have me go and open my ears and eyes to Your instructions. Help me store up treasures in heaven that will be everlasting. Point out to me those in need and give me the ability to serve them as you desire. You have always provided for all my needs . I want for nothing. Thank you for your love and protection. Be with my family in their daily lives and lead them not into temptation. This is my earnest prayer . Your faithful servant. Amen.

  2. Father,

    Moses instructed gifts to be given from a willing heart. May my heart always be willing to give to your work, may I withhold nothing.

    Thank you, Father, for the opportunity to give.

    This day I give you my all for you have given me life. Shine through me that others may be drawn to your son, Jesus Christ.

    Today, I surrender all.

    Amen

  3. Good morning Lord,
    I am a sinner, undeserving of your steadfast love. And yet, you are the Lord, my God and you take hold of my right hand and say to me: “Do not be afraid. I will help you.” Isaiah 41: 13

  4. God always has His people. God doesn’t call the blessed; he blesses the called. (That isn’t the exact verbiage but I can’t remember the saying.)

  5. Father, You have given me so much more than I deserve. May I always show a grateful and contented heart and be ready to help others in need.

  7. God thank you for showing me that my husband was indeed dehydrated . I continually ask for strength through this journey because they say his life is coming to a end and I am still looking for a miracle because I believe in them.

  9. Lord, thank you for being infinitely more generous to me, than I can be with you. Thank you for my life, health, family, work, suffering and especially for your ultimate gift of Jesus and your Holy Spirit.

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