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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1></center>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC02034.HTM">Previous</A>]
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[<A HREF="MHC02036.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
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</TD></TR></TABLE>
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>E X O D U S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XXXV.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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What should have been said and done upon Moses' coming down the first
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time from the mount, if the golden calf had not broken the measures and
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put all into disorder, now at last, when with great difficulty
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reconciliation was made, begins to be said and done; and that great
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affair of the setting up of God's worship is put into its former
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channel again, and goes on now without interruption.
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I. Moses gives Israel those instructions, received from God, which
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required immediate observance.
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1. Concerning the sabbath,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:1-3">ver. 1-3</A>.
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2. Concerning the contribution that was to be made for the erecting of
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the tabernacle,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:4-9">ver. 4-9</A>.
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3. Concerning the framing of the tabernacle and the utensils of it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:10-19">ver. 10-19</A>.
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II. The people bring in their contributions,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:20-29">ver. 20-29</A>.
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III. The head-workmen are nominated,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:30-35">ver. 30</A>, &c.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Ex35_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Orders Concerning the Tabernacle.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1491.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of
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Israel together, and said unto them, These <I>are</I> the words which
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the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath commanded, that <I>ye</I> should do them.
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2 Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there
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shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>:
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whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.
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3 Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the
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sabbath day.
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4 And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of
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Israel, saying, This <I>is</I> the thing which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> commanded,
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saying,
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5 Take ye from among you an offering unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>: whosoever
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<I>is</I> of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>; gold, and silver, and brass,
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6 And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats'
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<I>hair,</I>
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7 And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim
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wood,
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8 And oil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for
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the sweet incense,
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9 And onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod, and for
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the breastplate.
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10 And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all
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that the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath commanded;
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11 The tabernacle, his tent, and his covering, his taches, and
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his boards, his bars, his pillars, and his sockets,
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12 The ark, and the staves thereof, <I>with</I> the mercy seat, and
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the vail of the covering,
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13 The table, and his staves, and all his vessels, and the
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showbread,
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14 The candlestick also for the light, and his furniture, and
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his lamps, with the oil for the light,
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15 And the incense altar, and his staves, and the anointing
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oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the door at the
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entering in of the tabernacle,
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16 The altar of burnt offering, with his brazen grate, his
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staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,
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17 The hangings of the court, his pillars, and their sockets,
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and the hanging for the door of the court,
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18 The pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of the court, and
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their cords,
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19 The cloths of service, to do service in the holy <I>place,</I>
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the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his
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sons, to minister in the priest's office.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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It was said in general
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+34:32"><I>ch.</I> xxxiv. 32</A>),
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<I>Moses gave them in commandment all that the Lord has spoken with
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him.</I> But, the erecting and furnishing of the tabernacle being the
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work to which they were now immediately to apply themselves, there is
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particular mention of the orders given concerning it.</P>
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<P>
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I. All the congregation is summoned to attend
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>);
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that is, the heads and rulers of the congregation, the representatives
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of the several tribes, who must receive instructions from Moses as he
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had received them from the Lord, and must communicate them to the
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people. Thus John, being commanded to write to the seven churches what
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had been revealed to him, writes it to the angels, or ministers, of the
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churches.</P>
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<P>
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II. Moses gave them in charge all that (and that only) which God had
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commanded him; thus he approved himself faithful both to God and
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Israel, between whom he was a messenger or mediator. If he had added,
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altered, or diminished, he would have been false to both. But, both
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sides having reposed a trust in him, he was true to the trust; yet he
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was faithful as a servant only, but <I>Christ as a Son,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+3:5,6">Heb. iii. 5, 6</A>.</P>
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<P>
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III. He begins with the law of the sabbath, because that was much
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insisted on in the instructions he had received
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:2,3"><I>v.</I> 2, 3</A>):
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<I>Six days shall work be done,</I> work for the tabernacle, the work
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of the day that was now to be done in its day; and they had little else
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to do here in the wilderness, where they had neither husbandry nor
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merchandise, neither food to get nor clothes to make: <I>but on the
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seventh day</I> you must not strike a stroke, no, not at the
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tabernacle-work; the honour of the sabbath was above that of the
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sanctuary, more ancient and more lasting; that must be to you a holy
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day, devoted to God, and not be spent in common business. It is a
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sabbath of rest. It is a <I>sabbath of sabbaths</I> (so some read it),
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more honourable and excellent than any of the other feasts, and should
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survive them all. A <I>sabbath of sabbatism,</I> so others read it,
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being typical of that sabbatism or rest, both spiritual and eternal,
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which <I>remains for the people of God,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+4:9">Heb. iv. 9</A>.
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It is a sabbath of rest, that is, in which a rest from all worldly
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labour must be very carefully and strictly observed. It is a sabbath
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and a little sabbath, so some of the Jews would have it read; not only
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observing the whole day as a sabbath, but an hour before the beginning
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of it, and an hour after the ending of it, which they throw in over and
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above out of their own time, and call <I>a little sabbath,</I> to show
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how glad they are of the approach of the sabbath and how loth to part
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with it. It is a sabbath of rest, but it is rest to the Lord, to whose
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honour it must be devoted. A penalty is here annexed to the breach of
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it: <I>Whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.</I> Also a
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particular prohibition of kindling fires on the sabbath day for any
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servile work, as smith's work, or plumbers, &c.</P>
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<P>
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IV. He orders preparation to be made for the setting up of the
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tabernacle. Two things were to be done:--</P>
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<P>
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1. All that were able must contribute: <I>Take you from among you an
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offering,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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The tabernacle was to be dedicated to the honour of God, and used in
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his service; and therefore what was brought for the setting up and
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furnishing of that was <I>an offering to the Lord.</I> Our goodness
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extends not to God, but what is laid out for the support of his kingdom
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and interest among men he is pleased to accept as an offering to
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himself; and he requires such acknowledgements of our receiving our all
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from him and such instances of our dedicating our all to him. The rule
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is, <I>Whosoever is of a willing heart let him bring.</I> It was not to
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be a tax imposed upon them, but a benevolence or voluntary
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contribution, to intimate to us,
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(1.) That God has not made our yoke heavy. He is a prince that does not
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burden his subjects with taxes, nor <I>make them to serve with an
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offering,</I> but <I>draws with the cords of a man,</I> and leaves it
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to ourselves to <I>judge what is right;</I> his is a government that
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there is no cause to complain of, for he does not rule with rigour.
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(2.) That God loves a cheerful giver, and is best pleased with the
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free-will offering. Those services are acceptable to him that come from
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the willing heart of a willing people,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+110:3">Ps. cx. 3</A>.</P>
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<P>
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2. All that were skilful must work: <I>Every wise-hearted among you
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shall come, and make,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
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See how God dispenses his gifts variously; and, <I>as every man hath
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received the gift, so he must minister,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+4:10">1 Pet. iv. 10</A>.
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Those that were rich must bring in materials to work on; those that
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were ingenious must serve the tabernacle with their ingenuity; as they
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needed one another, so the tabernacle needed them both,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+12"7-21">1 Cor. xii. 7-21</A>.
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The work was likely to go on when some helped with their purses, others
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with their hands, and both with a willing heart. Moses, as he had told
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them what must be given
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:5-9"><I>v.</I> 5-9</A>),
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so he gives them the general heads of what must be made
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:11-19"><I>v.</I> 11-19</A>),
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that, seeing how much work was before them, they might apply themselves
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to it the more vigorously, and every hand might be busy; and it gave
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them such an idea of the fabric designed that they could not but long
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to see it finished.</P>
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<A NAME="Ex35_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_21"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_22"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_23"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_24"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_25"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_26"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_27"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_28"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex35_29"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Contributions for the Tabernacle.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1491.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>20 And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed
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from the presence of Moses.
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21 And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and
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every one whom his spirit made willing, <I>and</I> they brought the
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>'s offering to the work of the tabernacle of the
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congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.
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22 And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing
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hearted, <I>and</I> brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and
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tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered <I>offered</I>
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an offering of gold unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
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23 And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and
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scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' <I>hair,</I> and red skins of
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rams, and badgers' skins, brought <I>them.</I>
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24 Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass
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brought the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>'s offering: and every man, with whom was found
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shittim wood for any work of the service, brought <I>it.</I>
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25 And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their
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hands, and brought that which they had spun, <I>both</I> of blue, and
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of purple, <I>and</I> of scarlet, and of fine linen.
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26 And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun
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goats' <I>hair.</I>
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27 And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set,
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for the ephod, and for the breastplate;
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28 And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil,
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and for the sweet incense.
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29 The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring
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for all manner of work, which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> had commanded to be made
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by the hand of Moses.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Moses having made known to them the will of God, they went home and
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immediately put in practice what they had heard,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
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O that every congregation would thus depart from the hearing of the
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word of God, with a full resolution to be <I>doers of the same!</I>
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Observe here,</P>
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<P>
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I. The offerings that were brought for the service of the tabernacle
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>,
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&c.), concerning which many things may be noted.
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1. It is intimated that they brought their offerings immediately; they
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departed to their tents immediately to fetch their offering, and did
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not desire time to consider of it, lest their zeal should be cooled by
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delays. What duty God convinces us of, and calls us to, we should set
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about speedily. No season will be more convenient than the present
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season.
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2. It is said that <I>their spirits made them willing</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>),
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<I>and their hearts,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
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What they did they did cheerfully, and from a good principle. They were
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willing, and it was not any external inducement that made them so, but
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their spirits. It was from a principle of love to God and his service,
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a desire of his presence with them in his ordinances, gratitude for the
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great things he had done for them, faith in his promise of what he
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would further do (or, at least, from the present consideration of these
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things), that they were willing to offer. What we give and do for God
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is then acceptable when it comes from a good principle in the heart and
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spirit.
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3. When it is said that as many as were willing-hearted brought their
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offerings
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>),
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it should seem as if there were some who were not, who loved their gold
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better than their God, and would not part with it, no, not for the
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service of the tabernacle. Such there are, who will be called
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Israelites, and yet will not be moved by the equity of the thing, God's
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expectations from them, and the good examples of those about them, to
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part with any thing for the interests of God's kingdom: they are for
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the true religion, provided it be cheap and will cost them nothing.
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4. The offerings were of divers kinds, according as they had; those
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that had gold and precious stones brought them, not thinking any thing
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too good and too rich to part with for the honour of God. Those that
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had not precious stones to bring brought goats' hair, and rams' skins.
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If we cannot do as much as others for God, we must not therefore sit
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still and do nothing: if the meaner offerings which are according to
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our ability gain us not such a reputation among men, yet they shall not
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fail of acceptance with God, who requires <I>according to what a man
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hath, and not according to what he hath not,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+8:12,2Ki+5:23">2 Cor. viii. 12; 2 Kings v. 23</A>.
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Two mites from a pauper were more pleasing than so many talents from a
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Dives. God has an eye to the heart of the giver more than to the value
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of the gift.
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5. Many of the things they offered were their ornaments, bracelets and
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|
rings, and tablets or lockets
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>);
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|
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and even the women parted with these. <I>Can a maid forget her
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|
ornaments?</I> Thus far they forgot them that they preferred the
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|
beautifying of the sanctuary before their own adorning. Let this teach
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|
us, in general, to part with that for God, when he calls for it, which
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|
is very dear to us, which we value, and value ourselves by; and
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|
particularly to lay aside our ornaments, and deny ourselves in them,
|
|
when either they occasion offence to others or feed our own pride. If
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|
we think those gospel rules concerning our clothing too strict
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+2:9,10,1Pe+3:3,4">1 Tim. ii. 9, 10;
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|
1 Pet. iii. 3, 4</A>),
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|
I fear we should scarcely have done as these Israelites did. If they
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|
thought their ornaments well bestowed upon the tabernacle, shall not we
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|
think the want of ornaments well made up by the graces of the Spirit?
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|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+1:9">Prov. i. 9</A>.
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6. These rich things that they offered, we may suppose, were mostly the
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|
spoils of the Egyptians; for the Israelites in Egypt were kept poor,
|
|
till they borrowed at parting. And we may suppose the rulers had
|
|
better things
|
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>),
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|
|
|
because, having more influence among the Egyptians, they borrowed
|
|
larger sums. Who would have thought that ever the wealth of Egypt
|
|
should have been so well employed? but thus God has often made <I>the
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|
earth to help the woman,</I>
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|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+12:16">Rev. xii. 16</A>.
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|
|
|
It was by a special providence and promise of God that the Israelites
|
|
got all that spoil, and therefore it was highly fit that they should
|
|
devote a part of it to the service of that God to whom they owed it
|
|
all. Let every man give <I>according as God hath prospered him,</I>
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+16:2">1 Cor. xvi. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
Extraordinary successes should be acknowledged by extraordinary
|
|
offerings. Apply it to human learning, arts and sciences, which are
|
|
borrowed, as it were, from the Egyptians. Those that are enriched with
|
|
these must devote them to the service of God and his tabernacle: they
|
|
may be used as helps to understand the scriptures, as ornaments or
|
|
handmaids to divinity. But then great care must be taken that Egypt's
|
|
gods mingle not with Egypt's gold. Moses, though learned in all the
|
|
learning of the Egyptians, did not therefore pretend, in the least
|
|
instance, to correct the pattern shown him in the mount. The furnishing
|
|
of the tabernacle with the riches of Egypt was perhaps a good omen to
|
|
the Gentiles, who, in the fulness of time, should be brought into the
|
|
gospel tabernacle, and their silver and their gold with them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+60:9">Isa. lx. 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
and it should be said, <I>Blessed be Egypt my people,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+19:25">Isa. xix. 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
7. We may suppose that the remembrance of the offerings made for the
|
|
golden calf made them the more forward in these offerings. Those that
|
|
had then parted with their ear-rings would not testify their repentance
|
|
by giving the rest of their jewels to the service of God: godly sorrow
|
|
worketh such a revenge,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+7:11">2 Cor. vii. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
And those that had kept themselves pure from that idolatry yet argued
|
|
with themselves, "Were they so forward in contributing to an idol, and
|
|
shall we be backward or sneaking in our offerings to the Lord?" Thus
|
|
some good was brought even out of that evil.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The work that was done for the service of the tabernacle
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>The women did spin with their hands.</I> Some spun fine work, of
|
|
blue and purple; others coarse work, of goats' hair, and yet theirs
|
|
also is said to be done in wisdom,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
As it is not only rich gifts, so it is not only fine work that God
|
|
accepts. Notice is here taken of the good women's work for God, as well
|
|
as of Bezaleel's and Aholiab's. The meanest hand for the honour of
|
|
God, shall have an honourable recompence. Mary's anointing of Christ's
|
|
head shall be told for a memorial
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:13">Matt. xxvi. 13</A>);
|
|
|
|
and a record is kept of the women that laboured in the gospel
|
|
tabernacle
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:3">Phil. iv. 3</A>),
|
|
|
|
and were helpers to Paul in Christ Jesus,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+16:3">Rom. xvi. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is part of the character of the virtuous woman that she layeth
|
|
<I>her hands to the spindle,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+31:19">Prov. xxxi. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
This employment was here turned to a pious use, as it may be still
|
|
(though we have no hangings to make for the tabernacle) by the
|
|
imitation of the charity of Dorcas, who made coats and garments for
|
|
poor widows,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:39">Acts ix. 39</A>.
|
|
|
|
Even those that are not in a capacity to give in charity may yet work
|
|
in charity; and thus the poor may relieve the poor, and those that have
|
|
nothing but their limbs and senses may be very charitable in the labour
|
|
of love.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ex35_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex35_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex35_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex35_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex35_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex35_35"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>30 And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
|
|
hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of
|
|
the tribe of Judah;
|
|
31 And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in
|
|
understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of
|
|
workmanship;
|
|
32 And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver,
|
|
and in brass,
|
|
33 And in the cutting of stones, to set <I>them,</I> and in carving
|
|
of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.
|
|
34 And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, <I>both</I> he,
|
|
and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.
|
|
35 Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner
|
|
of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the
|
|
embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine
|
|
linen, and of the weaver, <I>even</I> of them that do any work, and of
|
|
those that devise cunning work.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here is the divine appointment of the master-workmen, that there might
|
|
be no strife for the office, and that all who were employed in the work
|
|
might take direction from, and give account to, these general
|
|
inspectors; for God is the God of order and not of confusion. Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. Those whom God called by name to this service he <I>filled with the
|
|
Spirit of God,</I> to qualify them for it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:30,31"><I>v.</I> 30, 31</A>.
|
|
|
|
Skill in secular employments is God's gift, and comes from above,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+1:17">Jam. i. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
From him the faculty is, and the improvement of it. To his honour
|
|
therefore all knowledge must be devoted, and we must study how to serve
|
|
him with it. The work was extraordinary which Bezaleel was designed
|
|
for, and therefore he was qualified in an extraordinary manner for it;
|
|
thus when the apostles were appointed to be master-builders in setting
|
|
up the gospel tabernacle they were <I>filled with the Spirit of God in
|
|
wisdom and understanding.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. The were appointed, not only to devise, but to work
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>to work all manner of work,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those of eminent gifts, that are capable of directing others, must not
|
|
thing that these will excuse them in idleness. Many are ingenious
|
|
enough in cutting out work for other people, and can tell what this man
|
|
and that man should do, but the burdens they bind on others they
|
|
themselves <I>will not touch with one of their fingers.</I> These will
|
|
fall under the character of slothful servants.
|
|
|
|
3. They were not only to devise and work themselves, but they were to
|
|
teach others,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+35:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>.
|
|
|
|
Not only had Bezaleel power to command, but he was to take pains to
|
|
instruct. Those that rule should teach; and those to whom God had given
|
|
knowledge should be willing to communicate it for the benefit of
|
|
others, not coveting to monopolize it.</P>
|
|
|
|
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