Additional Instructions for Keeping the Sabbath — Exodus 35:1–3
Moses gathered the entire congregation of Israel together and gave them the instructions he had received from the Lord on Mount Sinai. Before speaking about the construction of the Tabernacle, Moses reminded the people about the importance of keeping the Sabbath.
God had already commanded Israel to work for six days and set apart the seventh day as a day of complete rest.
“On the seventh day shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD.”
The Sabbath was not simply a suggestion or an opportunity to rest whenever they felt like it. It was a command from God and an important sign of their covenant relationship with Him.
Even their daily household activities were to be limited on the Sabbath. They were specifically instructed not to kindle a fire in their homes on that day.
The seriousness of this command is emphasized by the penalty given for deliberately breaking the Sabbath under the Old Covenant: anyone who profaned it was to be put to death.
This shows that Israel’s relationship with God was not something they were to treat casually. Their time, work, rest, worship, and everyday lives all belonged under God’s authority.
There is also an important connection between this command and the following chapters. The Israelites were about to begin a major work—the construction of the Tabernacle. They would have plenty of work to do, but even this sacred work was not to become an excuse for ignoring God’s command concerning the Sabbath.
Contributions for the Tabernacle — Exodus 35:4–29
Moses then announced God’s instructions concerning the materials needed to build the Tabernacle.
The Lord did not force every Israelite to contribute. Instead, Moses called upon those who had a willing and generous heart.
“Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the LORD’s contribution.”
The people could contribute various materials, including:
- Gold, silver, and bronze
- Blue, purple, and scarlet yarn
- Fine linen
- Goats’ hair
- Rams’ skins
- Acacia wood
- Oil for the lamps
- Spices for the anointing oil and incense
- Onyx stones
- Other precious stones
These were not random materials. Each item had a purpose in the construction and worship of the Tabernacle.
The gold and precious stones would be used for sacred furnishings and priestly garments. The wood would be used for structures and furniture. The fabrics would become curtains, coverings, and clothing. The oil and spices would be used in worship.
God was teaching Israel that worship involved giving Him what they had received.
Giving from Possessions and Skills
The offering was not limited to material possessions.
Moses also called upon skilled craftsmen and women who could use their abilities to help construct the Tabernacle.
Some people could contribute valuable materials. Others could contribute their time, creativity, craftsmanship, or practical abilities.
This meant that almost everyone had something meaningful they could offer.
The instructions in verses 11–19 repeat many of the Tabernacle components that God had previously described to Moses on Mount Sinai. These included:
- The Tabernacle and its coverings
- The ark and its poles
- The table and its utensils
- The lampstand and its accessories
- The altar of incense
- The anointing oil and incense
- The bronze altar
- The basin
- The courtyard and its hangings
- The priestly garments
Everything had a specific purpose in God’s worship.
The response of the Israelites was remarkable. Men and women willingly brought what they possessed. They did not merely give their excess possessions; they brought materials that were valuable and useful.
They also offered their abilities and labor.
Their generosity demonstrated that the experience of God’s grace had produced a response in their hearts.
Only a short time earlier, Israel had used their gold to make a golden calf. Now, by God’s grace, they were using their possessions to build a place dedicated to His worship.
The same material that had previously been used for idolatry could now be surrendered for God’s purposes.
Bezalel and Oholiab — Exodus 35:30–35
Moses then introduced two men whom God had specially equipped for the work of constructing the Tabernacle: Bezalel and Oholiab.
God had given Bezalel special wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and craftsmanship.
He was empowered to:
“Devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze.”
He could also cut and set precious stones, carve wood, and perform many other kinds of skilled work.
Oholiab was also appointed to work alongside him.
Their abilities were not presented merely as natural talents. Scripture emphasizes that God Himself had gifted and empowered them.
The Spirit of God gave them the ability to perform their work skillfully.
This is significant because it shows that God’s work requires many different kinds of gifts.
Some people lead. Some teach. Some give. Some organize. Some build. Some create. Some serve quietly behind the scenes.
All these abilities can be used for God’s purposes.
Bezalel and Oholiab were also able to teach others.
Their responsibility was therefore not simply to complete the work themselves but to pass their knowledge on to other skilled workers so that the whole community could participate.
God was building more than a physical Tabernacle. He was also building a community in which people could use their different gifts together in service to Him.
Application
One of the clearest lessons from Exodus 35 is generosity.
Generosity should become a natural response when we understand how generous and gracious God has already been toward us.
The Israelites had experienced God’s deliverance from Egypt, His protection in the wilderness, His provision, and His covenant mercy. Now they were given an opportunity to respond by giving toward His work.
Importantly, God did not compel them to give a specific amount.
The offering came from willing hearts.
This teaches us that true generosity is not primarily about pressure. It is about the heart.
A person can give a large amount and still have a selfish heart. Another person may give something small but give it sincerely and sacrificially.
What matters to God is not simply how much we give, but the heart with which we give.
Modern Christians are not commanded to give a particular fixed amount of money to the church or to the poor as a universal rule. But Christian freedom should never become an excuse for selfishness or stinginess.
If we understand what God has given us, generosity should increasingly become part of our lives.
And Christians have received the greatest gift imaginable.
Jesus Christ.
God did not merely give Israel gold, protection, food, or a Tabernacle. In Christ, God gave Himself for sinners.
So our generosity is ultimately a response to grace.
We give because we have received.
We serve because Christ first served us.
We share because God has been generous toward us.
We use our abilities because those abilities ultimately come from Him.
A Question to Consider
What has God placed in your hands that you can offer back to Him?
It may be money, but it may also be your time, creativity, knowledge, encouragement, practical skills, compassion, prayer, or willingness to serve.
Exodus 35 reminds us that God’s people do not all contribute in the same way.
Some bring materials.
Some bring skills.
Some teach.
Some build.
Some serve quietly.
But when these willing hearts work together, something beautiful is accomplished for God’s glory.
God’s generosity toward us should produce generosity within us.
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