Bible Commentaries

CONTENTS

This Chapter opens with Moses' commission, concerning the tabernacle, and its furniture, agreeably to the instructions he had received of the Lord in the Mount. After pointing out to the people again the ordinance of the Sabbath, he calls their attention to the order of the Lord for erecting a tabernacle, for the due observance of the religious duties of the Sabbath: mention is made of the contributions of the people towards the building: their readiness in the offering: and workmen are appointed to execute the building.

The introduction of the precept here concerning the Sabbath, before the introduction of the precept concerning the building of the tabernacle, seems to have been made with this design, to intimate, that even the erecting an house for the worship of the Lord, must not be done on the Lord's day. See the observations on Exodus 31:13-17.

Psalms 110:3; 2 Corinthians 8:11-12; 2Co_9:7.

Perhaps it means blue wool. Exodus 26:1.

1 Peter 4:10.

These precepts are beautiful duplicates of what were delivered to Moses in the mount. See Exodus 28:5-28; Exo_25:10, etc.

What is here said of the departure of the congregation, means, that they went away with hearts disposed to the service. Deuteronomy 5:28.

Judges 5:9.

Proverbs 3:9.

1 Chronicles 29:3; 1Ch_29:6; 1Ch_29:9. Upon all these verses one general observation seems to meet us; that where the Lord makes a soul willing, there the Lord accepts and blesses the gift. Haggai 2:8; Luke 21:3-4. The labour of the women is particularly noticed with honourable respect. See also in the gospel, Matthew 24:13; Acts 9:39; Philippians 4:3; Romans 16:3.

Were not these builders of the tabernacle, so especially called, appointed, and qualified, to the work, types of the laborers in the New Testament Church? Ephesians 2:20; Eph_1:17-18.

REFLECTIONS

Who can meditate on the grace of God, in thus furnishing his servants for the work of the sanctuary, and giving the congregation such a willing mind to make contributions to the building, without being struck with the conviction, that in the spiritual building it must be the same Almighty God that can alone work in us, both to will, and to do, of his good pleasure. Gracious God! ever dispose my heart to thy service, and give me grace to consecrate all I have to thee; my time, my gifts, my life; for all is of thee, and in the dedication of the whole, it is but returning thee thine own. Accept them, dear Lord, in Christ Jesus, and pardon the unworthiness both of the gift and giver.

Let me not close this Chapter in the review of the preparation for the tabernacle, and the furniture of it, without eyeing afresh that blessed minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. Dearest Jesus! it is thou that art the true tabernacle of thy people. Upon the foundation of thy Father's everlasting love, thy salvation is built for them: and in thy righteousness and blood, the spiritual temple rests forever: Lord grant, that as thy mercy is built up forever, the top stone for my soul may be brought forth with shoutings of "Grace , grace, " unto it.