mh_parser/vol_split/2 - Exodus/Chapter 35.xml

<div2 id="Ex.xxxvi" n="xxxvi" next="Ex.xxxvii" prev="Ex.xxxv" progress="49.09%" title="Chapter XXXV">
<h2 id="Ex.xxxvi-p0.1">E X O D U S</h2>
<h3 id="Ex.xxxvi-p0.2">CHAP. XXXV.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Ex.xxxvi-p1">What should have been said and done upon Moses'
coming down the first time from the mount, if the golden calf had
not broken the measures and put all into disorder, now at last,
when with great difficulty reconciliation was made, begins to be
said and done; and that great affair of the setting up of God's
worship is put into its former channel again, and goes on now
without interruption. I. Moses gives Israel those instructions,
received from God, which required immediate observance. 1.
Concerning the sabbath, <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.1-Exod.35.3" parsed="|Exod|35|1|35|3" passage="Ex 35:1-3">ver.
1-3</scripRef>. 2. Concerning the contribution that was to be made
for the erecting of the tabernacle, <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.4-Exod.35.9" parsed="|Exod|35|4|35|9" passage="Ex 35:4-9">ver. 4-9</scripRef>. 3. Concerning the framing of the
tabernacle and the utensils of it, <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.10-Exod.35.19" parsed="|Exod|35|10|35|19" passage="Ex 35:10-19">ver. 10-19</scripRef>. II. The people bring in their
contributions, <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.20-Exod.35.29" parsed="|Exod|35|20|35|29" passage="Ex 35:20-29">ver.
20-29</scripRef>. III. The head-workmen are nominated, <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.30-Exod.35.35" parsed="|Exod|35|30|35|35" passage="Ex 35:30-35">ver. 30</scripRef>, &amp;c.</p>
<scripCom id="Ex.xxxvi-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35" parsed="|Exod|35|0|0|0" passage="Ex 35" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ex.xxxvi-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.1-Exod.35.19" parsed="|Exod|35|1|35|19" passage="Ex 35:1-19" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.35.1-Exod.35.19">
<h4 id="Ex.xxxvi-p1.8">Orders Concerning the
Tabernacle. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxxvi-p1.9">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xxxvi-p2">1 And Moses gathered all the congregation of the
children of Israel together, and said unto them, These <i>are</i>
the words which the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxxvi-p2.1">Lord</span> hath
commanded, that <i>ye</i> should do them.   2 Six days shall
work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy
day, a sabbath of rest to the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxxvi-p2.2">Lord</span>:
whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.   3 Ye
shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath
day.   4 And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the
children of Israel, saying, This <i>is</i> the thing which the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxxvi-p2.3">Lord</span> commanded, saying,   5
Take ye from among you an offering unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxxvi-p2.4">Lord</span>: whosoever <i>is</i> of a willing heart,
let him bring it, an offering of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxxvi-p2.5">Lord</span>; gold, and silver, and brass,   6 And
blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats'
<i>hair,</i>   7 And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins,
and shittim wood,   8 And oil for the light, and spices for
anointing oil, and for the sweet incense,   9 And onyx stones,
and stones to be set for the ephod, and for the breastplate.  
10 And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxxvi-p2.6">Lord</span> hath commanded;   11
The tabernacle, his tent, and his covering, his taches, and his
boards, his bars, his pillars, and his sockets,   12 The ark,
and the staves thereof, <i>with</i> the mercy seat, and the vail of
the covering,   13 The table, and his staves, and all his
vessels, and the showbread,   14 The candlestick also for the
light, and his furniture, and his lamps, with the oil for the
light,   15 And the incense altar, and his staves, and the
anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the door
at the entering in of the tabernacle,   16 The altar of burnt
offering, with his brazen grate, his staves, and all his vessels,
the laver and his foot,   17 The hangings of the court, his
pillars, and their sockets, and the hanging for the door of the
court,   18 The pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of the
court, and their cords,   19 The cloths of service, to do
service in the holy <i>place,</i> the holy garments for Aaron the
priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's
office.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxxvi-p3">It was said in general (<scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.34.32" parsed="|Exod|34|32|0|0" passage="Ex 34:32"><i>ch.</i> xxxiv. 32</scripRef>), <i>Moses gave them in
commandment all that the Lord has spoken with him.</i> But, the
erecting and furnishing of the tabernacle being the work to which
they were now immediately to apply themselves, there is particular
mention of the orders given concerning it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxxvi-p4">I. All the congregation is summoned to
attend (<scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.1" parsed="|Exod|35|1|0|0" passage="Ex 35:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>); that
is, the heads and rulers of the congregation, the representatives
of the several tribes, who must receive instructions from Moses as
he had received them from the Lord, and must communicate them to
the people. Thus John, being commanded to write to the seven
churches what had been revealed to him, writes it to the angels, or
ministers, of the churches.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxxvi-p5">II. Moses gave them in charge all that (and
that only) which God had commanded him; thus he approved himself
faithful both to God and Israel, between whom he was a messenger or
mediator. If he had added, altered, or diminished, he would have
been false to both. But, both sides having reposed a trust in him,
he was true to the trust; yet he was faithful as a servant only,
but <i>Christ as a Son,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.3.5-Heb.3.6" parsed="|Heb|3|5|3|6" passage="Heb 3:5,6">Heb. iii.
5, 6</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxxvi-p6">III. He begins with the law of the sabbath,
because that was much insisted on in the instructions he had
received (<scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.2-Exod.35.3" parsed="|Exod|35|2|35|3" passage="Ex 35:2,3"><i>v.</i> 2, 3</scripRef>):
<i>Six days shall work be done,</i> work for the tabernacle, the
work of the day that was now to be done in its day; and they had
little else to do here in the wilderness, where they had neither
husbandry nor merchandise, neither food to get nor clothes to make:
<i>but on the seventh day</i> you must not strike a stroke, no, not
at the tabernacle-work; the honour of the sabbath was above that of
the sanctuary, more ancient and more lasting; that must be to you a
holy day, devoted to God, and not be spent in common business. It
is a sabbath of rest. It is a <i>sabbath of sabbaths</i> (so some
read it), more honourable and excellent than any of the other
feasts, and should survive them all. A <i>sabbath of sabbatism,</i>
so others read it, being typical of that sabbatism or rest, both
spiritual and eternal, which <i>remains for the people of God,</i>
<scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.4.9" parsed="|Heb|4|9|0|0" passage="Heb 4:9">Heb. iv. 9</scripRef>. It is a sabbath
of rest, that is, in which a rest from all worldly labour must be
very carefully and strictly observed. It is a sabbath and a little
sabbath, so some of the Jews would have it read; not only observing
the whole day as a sabbath, but an hour before the beginning of it,
and an hour after the ending of it, which they throw in over and
above out of their own time, and call <i>a little sabbath,</i> to
show how glad they are of the approach of the sabbath and how loth
to part with it. It is a sabbath of rest, but it is rest to the
Lord, to whose honour it must be devoted. A penalty is here annexed
to the breach of it: <i>Whosoever doeth work therein shall be put
to death.</i> Also a particular prohibition of kindling fires on
the sabbath day for any servile work, as smith's work, or plumbers,
&amp;c.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxxvi-p7">IV. He orders preparation to be made for
the setting up of the tabernacle. Two things were to be done:—</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxxvi-p8">1. All that were able must contribute:
<i>Take you from among you an offering,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.5" parsed="|Exod|35|5|0|0" passage="Ex 35:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. The tabernacle was to be
dedicated to the honour of God, and used in his service; and
therefore what was brought for the setting up and furnishing of
that was <i>an offering to the Lord.</i> Our goodness extends not
to God, but what is laid out for the support of his kingdom and
interest among men he is pleased to accept as an offering to
himself; and he requires such acknowledgements of our receiving our
all from him and such instances of our dedicating our all to him.
The rule is, <i>Whosoever is of a willing heart let him bring.</i>
It was not to be a tax imposed upon them, but a benevolence or
voluntary contribution, to intimate to us, (1.) That God has not
made our yoke heavy. He is a prince that does not burden his
subjects with taxes, nor <i>make them to serve with an
offering,</i> but <i>draws with the cords of a man,</i> and leaves
it to ourselves to <i>judge what is right;</i> his is a government
that there is no cause to complain of, for he does not rule with
rigour. (2.) That God loves a cheerful giver, and is best pleased
with the free-will offering. Those services are acceptable to him
that come from the willing heart of a willing people, <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.110.3" parsed="|Ps|110|3|0|0" passage="Ps 110:3">Ps. cx. 3</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxxvi-p9">2. All that were skilful must work:
<i>Every wise-hearted among you shall come, and make,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.10" parsed="|Exod|35|10|0|0" passage="Ex 35:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. See how God dispenses
his gifts variously; and, <i>as every man hath received the gift,
so he must minister,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.4.10" parsed="|1Pet|4|10|0|0" passage="1Pe 4:10">1 Pet. iv.
10</scripRef>. Those that were rich must bring in materials to work
on; those that were ingenious must serve the tabernacle with their
ingenuity; as they needed one another, so the tabernacle needed
them both, <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.12.7-1Cor.12.21" parsed="|1Cor|12|7|12|21" passage="1Co 12:7-21">1 Cor. xii.
7-21</scripRef>. The work was likely to go on when some helped with
their purses, others with their hands, and both with a willing
heart. Moses, as he had told them what must be given (<scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.5-Exod.35.9" parsed="|Exod|35|5|35|9" passage="Ex 35:5-9"><i>v.</i> 5-9</scripRef>), so he gives them the
general heads of what must be made (<scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.11-Exod.35.19" parsed="|Exod|35|11|35|19" passage="Ex 35:11-19"><i>v.</i> 11-19</scripRef>), that, seeing how much
work was before them, they might apply themselves to it the more
vigorously, and every hand might be busy; and it gave them such an
idea of the fabric designed that they could not but long to see it
finished.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ex.xxxvi-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.20-Exod.35.29" parsed="|Exod|35|20|35|29" passage="Ex 35:20-29" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.35.20-Exod.35.29">
<h4 id="Ex.xxxvi-p9.7">The Contributions for the
Tabernacle. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxxvi-p9.8">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xxxvi-p10">20 And all the congregation of the children of
Israel departed from the presence of Moses.   21 And they
came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his
spirit made willing, <i>and</i> they brought the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxxvi-p10.1">Lord</span>'s offering to the work of the tabernacle of
the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy
garments.   22 And they came, both men and women, as many as
were willing hearted, <i>and</i> brought bracelets, and earrings,
and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that
offered <i>offered</i> an offering of gold unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxxvi-p10.2">Lord</span>.   23 And every man, with whom was
found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats'
<i>hair,</i> and red skins of rams, and badgers' skins, brought
<i>them.</i>   24 Every one that did offer an offering of
silver and brass brought the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxxvi-p10.3">Lord</span>'s
offering: and every man, with whom was found shittim wood for any
work of the service, brought <i>it.</i>   25 And all the women
that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that
which they had spun, <i>both</i> of blue, and of purple, <i>and</i>
of scarlet, and of fine linen.   26 And all the women whose
heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' <i>hair.</i>   27
And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the
ephod, and for the breastplate;   28 And spice, and oil for
the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.
  29 The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxxvi-p10.4">Lord</span>, every man and woman, whose
heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxxvi-p10.5">Lord</span> had commanded to be made by the
hand of Moses.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxxvi-p11">Moses having made known to them the will of
God, they went home and immediately put in practice what they had
heard, <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.20" parsed="|Exod|35|20|0|0" passage="Ex 35:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>. O that
every congregation would thus depart from the hearing of the word
of God, with a full resolution to be <i>doers of the same!</i>
Observe here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxxvi-p12">I. The offerings that were brought for the
service of the tabernacle (<scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.21" parsed="|Exod|35|21|0|0" passage="Ex 35:21"><i>v.</i>
21</scripRef>, &amp;c.), concerning which many things may be noted.
1. It is intimated that they brought their offerings immediately;
they departed to their tents immediately to fetch their offering,
and did not desire time to consider of it, lest their zeal should
be cooled by delays. What duty God convinces us of, and calls us
to, we should set about speedily. No season will be more convenient
than the present season. 2. It is said that <i>their spirits made
them willing</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.21" parsed="|Exod|35|21|0|0" passage="Ex 35:21"><i>v.</i>
21</scripRef>), <i>and their hearts,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.29" parsed="|Exod|35|29|0|0" passage="Ex 35:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>. What they did they did
cheerfully, and from a good principle. They were willing, and it
was not any external inducement that made them so, but their
spirits. It was from a principle of love to God and his service, a
desire of his presence with them in his ordinances, gratitude for
the great things he had done for them, faith in his promise of what
he would further do (or, at least, from the present consideration
of these things), that they were willing to offer. What we give and
do for God is then acceptable when it comes from a good principle
in the heart and spirit. 3. When it is said that as many as were
willing-hearted brought their offerings (<scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.22" parsed="|Exod|35|22|0|0" passage="Ex 35:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>), it should seem as if there
were some who were not, who loved their gold better than their God,
and would not part with it, no, not for the service of the
tabernacle. Such there are, who will be called Israelites, and yet
will not be moved by the equity of the thing, God's expectations
from them, and the good examples of those about them, to part with
any thing for the interests of God's kingdom: they are for the true
religion, provided it be cheap and will cost them nothing. 4. The
offerings were of divers kinds, according as they had; those that
had gold and precious stones brought them, not thinking any thing
too good and too rich to part with for the honour of God. Those
that had not precious stones to bring brought goats' hair, and
rams' skins. If we cannot do as much as others for God, we must not
therefore sit still and do nothing: if the meaner offerings which
are according to our ability gain us not such a reputation among
men, yet they shall not fail of acceptance with God, who requires
<i>according to what a man hath, and not according to what he hath
not,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p12.5" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.8.12 Bible:2Kgs.5.23" parsed="|2Cor|8|12|0|0;|2Kgs|5|23|0|0" passage="2Co 8:12,2Ki 5:23">2 Cor. viii. 12; 2
Kings v. 23</scripRef>. Two mites from a pauper were more pleasing
than so many talents from a Dives. God has an eye to the heart of
the giver more than to the value of the gift. 5. Many of the things
they offered were their ornaments, bracelets and rings, and tablets
or lockets (<scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p12.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.22" parsed="|Exod|35|22|0|0" passage="Ex 35:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>);
and even the women parted with these. <i>Can a maid forget her
ornaments?</i> Thus far they forgot them that they preferred the
beautifying of the sanctuary before their own adorning. Let this
teach us, in general, to part with that for God, when he calls for
it, which is very dear to us, which we value, and value ourselves
by; and particularly to lay aside our ornaments, and deny ourselves
in them, when either they occasion offence to others or feed our
own pride. If we think those gospel rules concerning our clothing
too strict (<scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p12.7" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.2.9-1Tim.2.10 Bible:1Pet.3.3-1Pet.3.4" parsed="|1Tim|2|9|2|10;|1Pet|3|3|3|4" passage="1Ti 2:9,10,1Pe 3:3,4">1 Tim. ii. 9,
10; 1 Pet. iii. 3, 4</scripRef>), I fear we should scarcely have
done as these Israelites did. If they thought their ornaments well
bestowed upon the tabernacle, shall not we think the want of
ornaments well made up by the graces of the Spirit? <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p12.8" osisRef="Bible:Prov.1.9" parsed="|Prov|1|9|0|0" passage="Pr 1:9">Prov. i. 9</scripRef>. 6. These rich things that
they offered, we may suppose, were mostly the 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 (<scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p12.9" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.27" parsed="|Exod|35|27|0|0" passage="Ex 35:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>),
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 earth to help the woman,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p12.10" osisRef="Bible:Rev.12.16" parsed="|Rev|12|16|0|0" passage="Re 12:16">Rev. xii. 16</scripRef>. 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> <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p12.11" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.16.2" parsed="|1Cor|16|2|0|0" passage="1Co 16:2">1 Cor. xvi. 2</scripRef>. 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 (<scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p12.12" osisRef="Bible:Isa.60.9" parsed="|Isa|60|9|0|0" passage="Isa 60:9">Isa. lx. 9</scripRef>), and
it should be said, <i>Blessed be Egypt my people,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p12.13" osisRef="Bible:Isa.19.25" parsed="|Isa|19|25|0|0" passage="Isa 19:25">Isa. xix. 25</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p12.14" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.11" parsed="|2Cor|7|11|0|0" passage="2Co 7:11">2 Cor. vii.
11</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Ex.xxxvi-p13">II. The work that was done for the service
of the tabernacle (<scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.25" parsed="|Exod|35|25|0|0" passage="Ex 35:25"><i>v.</i>
25</scripRef>): <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, <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.26" parsed="|Exod|35|26|0|0" passage="Ex 35:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>. 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 (<scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Matt.26.13" parsed="|Matt|26|13|0|0" passage="Mt 26:13">Matt. xxvi.
13</scripRef>); and a record is kept of the women that laboured in
the gospel tabernacle (<scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.3" parsed="|Phil|4|3|0|0" passage="Php 4:3">Phil. iv.
3</scripRef>), and were helpers to Paul in Christ Jesus, <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p13.5" osisRef="Bible:Rom.16.3" parsed="|Rom|16|3|0|0" passage="Ro 16:3">Rom. xvi. 3</scripRef>. It is part of the
character of the virtuous woman that she layeth <i>her hands to the
spindle,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p13.6" osisRef="Bible:Prov.31.19" parsed="|Prov|31|19|0|0" passage="Pr 31:19">Prov. xxxi.
19</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p13.7" osisRef="Bible:Acts.9.39" parsed="|Acts|9|39|0|0" passage="Ac 9:39">Acts ix. 39</scripRef>. 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>
</div><scripCom id="Ex.xxxvi-p13.8" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.30-Exod.35.35" parsed="|Exod|35|30|35|35" passage="Ex 35:30-35" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.35.30-Exod.35.35">
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xxxvi-p14">30 And Moses said unto the children of Israel,
See, the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxxvi-p14.1">Lord</span> 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 <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Dan.35" parsed="|Dan|35|0|0|0" passage="Dan. 35">Dan.   35</scripRef> 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxxvi-p15">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, <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.30-Exod.35.31" parsed="|Exod|35|30|35|31" passage="Ex 35:30,31"><i>v.</i> 30,
31</scripRef>. Skill in secular employments is God's gift, and
comes from above, <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Jas.1.17" parsed="|Jas|1|17|0|0" passage="Jam 1:17">Jam. i.
17</scripRef>. 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 (<scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.32" parsed="|Exod|35|32|0|0" passage="Ex 35:32"><i>v.</i> 32</scripRef>), <i>to work all manner
of work,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.35" parsed="|Exod|35|35|0|0" passage="Ex 35:35"><i>v.</i> 35</scripRef>.
Those of eminent gifts, that are capable of directing others, must
not think 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, <scripRef id="Ex.xxxvi-p15.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.35.34" parsed="|Exod|35|34|0|0" passage="Ex 35:34"><i>v.</i>
34</scripRef>. 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>
</div></div2>