Exodus 35

Subdivision 3. (Exodus 35:1-35; Exodus 36:1-38; Exodus 37:1-29; Exodus 38:1-31; Exodus 39:1-43; Exodus 40:1-38.)The realization of the house of God. The construction and setting up of the tabernacle, immediately to be filled with the divine glory, is the seal of the restored covenant, as what answers to it typically is the seal of the new. God dwelling among men is what the presence of Christ on earth pledged and introduced. In Christian times to follow, the Church is God’s dwelling-place. In the age to come, it will be again said of Jerusalem, “The Lord is there.” While as to the eternal state it is said, “The tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them.” No wonder that with this the book of redemption ends. It is the only and the complete satisfaction of the heart that has learnt in redemption what God is, and now would be beggared indeed to be without Him. To whom He has made Himself thus necessary He has pledged Himself by that very necessity which He has created. Of all this, Exodus as yet gives us but the types; but the types are full of a wondrous sweetness also. God has emphasized them here by an unusual repetition, in which he shows us, after man’s opposition has come to an end, how that which He had before determined He at last carries out. How often is it repeated here that all was done at last, as -before the breach had come at all-“Jehovah commanded Moses “! Nay, these commandments themselves distinctly show how the breach itself had been foreseen, and how through and in it all God would glorify Himself: not as Master and Lord over it all merely, but much more in that stooping to those made helpless by their sin, and under the burdens with which by their sin they made Him serve! Here, then, is, at least in picture, the result reached: God is with men: the tabernacle of God is upon earth! There are three sections, very easily distinguishable: the first showing us the provision made and how God thus obtains what He seeks -a free-will offering from His people’s hearts. In the second we see the tabernacle itself grow into completeness. In the third it is set up, anointed, and filled with the wondrous presence and glory of God.

Exodus 35:1-36

Section 1. (Exodus 35:1-35; Exodus 36:1-7.)The free-will offerings. The first section reminds us of what we have seen to be a necessity if God is to dwell among men; it must be amid their praises. And that not merely as if God must have His due, but because also these praises are the only effectual proof of hearts brought back to Him, filled and satisfied, exulting in Himself. With such happy hearts God must surround Himself if He is to dwell among men; and in this sense their gifts and hands must build His tabernacle.

1. But before this is entered upon here comes one of those wonderful revealing touches which we have so often in these types -at first sight striking us by its apparent strangeness and incongruity, but in that very way calling our attention the more. Why should a law as to the Sabbath, so often given before, be introduced here again, at the commencement of the appeal for free-will offerings for the tabernacle? One well-known commentator can only suppose that in the construction of a work of this kind the people might have thought that they were freed from the necessity of any suspension of labor! But if we seek a spiritual reason, we may find it in this, that rest indeed is only possible in God -in that divine sufficiency which is able to bear all demands upon it. And is not this the first requisite for all sufficiency on our part, this rest in God? a Sabbath to Jehovah, because Jehovah is known as the God of all deliverances, acting from Himself and for the glory of His name? It is this that enables us to bring Him our free-will offering and build His tabernacle. And therefore it is not strange, but simple, that it should be found here, insisted on in the peremptory fashion of the law indeed, but even thus not without its corresponding truth as solemn for the soul. Thus, then, are we taught in a mystery, that if we are to bring to God, we must first receive of Him, if we are to work for Him, we must first rest in Him; and good it is that He should command us thus to rest in Him.
2. And now we have the call for help as to the tabernacle, both in furnishing materials and in the work: all being precisely specified by Him whose word must furnish thoroughly unto every good work. It is not enough that we have will to serve Him; we must learn from Himself also what He can accept. Would that the service of His people were thus always measured and defined! What they had they brought, little or much, and it was accepted; for when was the service of a willing heart refused by God? A widow’s “two mites, which make a farthing” may be here of more value to Him who discerns the heart than the gifts of many that are rich. Upon the detail we can say little, however: each must learn individually with God what he can do.
3. Finally, we have the gifts given by the Spirit for the work: and here we find in the chief man raised up a representative of Judah, quite according to the part that Judah afterward plays with regard to the tabernacle and that into which it passes, -the temple for which David provides and which Solomon builds. With him is associated, however, one of a tribe we should least expect to see in such a place -one of the tribe which afterward led in apostasy in Israel -the tribe of Dan. Thus God’s grace can work, and knowing that all is grace, why should we wonder at it? But with these there is work for all who had wisdom, -in whose heart God had put wisdom, -none is refused. The fruit of the Spirit, too, in the hearts of the people is beautiful: they bring so much, that they have to be restrained from bringing! How good a thing to see, and how seldom indeed seen -a thing like this in the work of the Lord.