📖 EXODUS CHAPTER 25

The Israelites were instructed to build a sanctuary/ a house for God ( Exodus 25:8). They were to build the tabernacle and all its furnishings using the finest materials, as would befit the Lord God Almighty. Moses was instructed to receive the offering from the people: ” gold, silver and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet / fine linen ; ram skins dyed red hides of sea cows; acacia wood ; olive oil .. spices; onyx stones and other gems..” 25: 3-7. And the most striking word is 👉🏽 “.. receive the offering from each man whose hearts prompts him to give ” v 2b
✅ As we know that the Israelites have come out from the slavery ; and now they are wandering in the wilderness and are on the way to Canaan.
From where they would gather / collect all the materials for building the tabernacle ❓
Even if they possess it , would they give it voluntarily ❓
The task seems to be difficult but the scriptures states that the Israelites gave all the materials willingly and cheerfully. Let us find out the source :

📌 On the first Passover, ” the Israelites asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing…. and they gave them what they asked for ..” ✒ Exodus 12: 35-36 . It is confirmed that the Israelites had gathered all these materials , and had carried out of Egypt during exodus . Perhaps the precious stones and gems were heirlooms that had been handed down for generations and were irreparable.
🎈 These materials seems to be their most valuable and hard-earned assets after spending 430 years of slavery in Egypt.

GOD USUALLY ASK FOR WHAT WE HAVE ‼️
ARE WE WILLING TO GIVE ❓

📌 WHAT MOTIVATES THEM ❓

✅ A CONTRITE HEART 💖
✅ A CHEERFUL HEART 💖
✅ A WILLING HEART 💖
Exodus 35:29 “..they brought all these materials as FREEWILL OFFERINGS “. Their hearts were moved to give ; they gave the best ; they gave what they have .

📌 HOW DID THEY DO THE PROJECT ❓

✅ TIRELESS LABOUR :
Building the tabernacle was not a weekend home – improvement or a renovation project.
》 The women probably spent years preparing linen threads and yarns, spinning and dyeing and weaving to make the cloth for 11 curtains that were 45 feet long and 6 feet wide ( 36:9)

》 The men likely worked months in cutting and hauling and planing acacia wood for the framing of the tabernacle ( 150 feet by 50 feet).

》 Imagine the time taken for butchering , refining , tanning of skins and making leather .

📌 WHY DID THEY DO IT ❓
💫 God had filled them with the Spirit (v 31-35 )
💫 God promised , “.. make a sanctuary for me , and I will dwell among you ” ( v 8 )

🎈 Renaissance inventor, scientist and painter Leonardo da Vinci said, “Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is no art “.

💕 Beloved , you and I will not be called to build another tabernacle. But we are called to use our God – given gifts of creativity with our heart’s energy pointed to the Kingdom of heaven. We need :
~ A WILLING HEART to obey and give
~ A SENSITIVE MIND to see the needs

Glory to God 🙏
✍🏽 Mark Boje
Arunachal Pradesh, India 🇮🇳