Exodus 35:4-9 – Let’s participate in building God’s temple

As we come to Exodus 35-39, we get the sense that they are repeating the content of Exodus 25-31. The reason is that the main subject of these chapters is on the Tabernacle. Exodus 25-31 deal with how God wanted it to be built and Exodus 35-39 deal with the actual building of it. So, as we must come to these chapters, expect to read materials that we have come across in earlier chapters. We also need to know that in between the time God gave the plan and the time the building project began, the people fell into sin. They meandered into another ground and worshiped the golden calf. What we are about to reflect in Exodus 35-39 will be the actual construction of the Tabernacle. 

It is true that all things are created twice: once in the mind and then in reality. The Tabernacle first existed in God’s mind then it was built by the people. We must know that it is one thing to want a great building and another to get it built. Resources will be needed to get a great building constructed. It takes time to prepare, and then the gathering of the material and the recruitment of the manpower before the project could get going. So, much more should be expected in the building of the Tabernacle. We need to know that the Tabernacle was God’s idea. It’s because of His desire to live among His people. For the awesome God to dwell among men, we cannot afford to have something unworthy of His dwelling. So, we see the time and effort required to have it built. God first described in detail how His dwelling place would be like. For a building where God would make His dwelling place, nothing short of the very best, whether in material or effort, must be given to construct it. Besides, this Tabernacle was to be a message of God’s salvation plan to His people. It was intended to portray God and all His awesomeness and what it would take for us to ensure our readiness to approach Him.  

We see in Exodus 35:4-9 the gathering of the material for the construction of God’s dwelling place. Notice that before the building project starts, in Exodus 34:1-3, the subject of the Sabbath was discussed. Sabbath is about entering God’s rest. Having urged the people to honor the Sabbath and enjoy divine rest, Moses then launched into the building project. The campaign began with raising the materials needed for the building of the Tabernacle and the making of the high priest’s garment. As described by verses 5-9, they are, “… gold, silver, and bronze, and blue, purple and scarlet material, fine linen, goats’ hair, and rams’ skins dyed red, and porpoise skins, and acacia wood, and oil for lighting, and spices for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense, and onyx stones and setting stones for the ephod and for the breast piece.”   

Notice that the material came from the Israelites. God could have unilaterally caused the Tabernacle to emerge from nothing, but He didn’t. Why? In His grace He allowed His people to participate in His building project. The Tabernacle was a divine initiative, but the people needed to participate and be committed to building it. God is still inviting us to build with Him. The church is God’s presence dwelling in the world. He is still inviting us to participate in making it a great dwelling place for His glory. Remember before they left Egypt, God told them to ask of their Egyptian captors gold and silver, and they were given. He was ensuring that they all had something to contribute when the time came for the construction of the Tabernacle. Verse 5 tells us that the contribution was made from a willing heart. This reminds us that God loves willing and cheerful givers.  In giving to God, we must offer them freely and willingly. This is the best display of a grateful heart.  

From these six verses, we get the sense that God wants each one of us to participate in the building of the fellowship which He has placed us in. He has initiated us into the fellowship, but we must be willing participants in building it. We all have God’s given resources - time, money and gift - and we must bring them willingly and cheerfully to the Lord. Corporately, we are God’s dwelling place, and individually, each of us is a divine brick of that temple. Let’s play our part!