Exodus 35:1 - Meaning and Application

It had already been said in general that Moses gave them everything the Lord had commanded him (Exodus 34:32). But since the building and furnishing of the tabernacle was the work they were about to begin, the text gives special attention to the commands about it.

All the people were called to attend, that is, the leaders and officials of the congregation, the men who represented the tribes and would pass Moses’ instructions on to the people (Exodus 35:1). In this way, Moses received God’s word and then delivered it faithfully to Israel. This is like John, who was told to write to the seven churches by writing to the angels, or ministers, of those churches.

Moses passed on all that God had commanded, and only that. In this, he showed himself faithful to both God and Israel, standing between them as a messenger, or mediator, one who carries a message from one side to the other. If he had added to God’s words, changed them, or left some out, he would have been false to both sides. But he kept the trust given to him. Still, he was faithful as a servant, while Christ is faithful as a Son (Hebrews 3:5, Hebrews 3:6).

He begins with the law of the Sabbath, because it had been strongly stressed in the instructions he had received (Exodus 35:2, Exodus 35:3). Six days were for work, including the work of the tabernacle, which must be done in its proper time. In the wilderness they had little else to do, since they had no farming or trade, and no food to gather or clothes to make. But on the seventh day they were not to do any work at all, not even tabernacle work. The honor of the Sabbath was above the honor of the sanctuary, because the Sabbath was older and would last longer. It was to be a holy day, set apart for God, not spent in ordinary business.

It is called a Sabbath of rest. Some read this as a “Sabbath of Sabbaths,” meaning it was more honorable and excellent than the other feast days and would outlast them all. Others read it as a Sabbath of sabbatism, meaning it pointed to that deeper rest, both spiritual and eternal, that remains for God’s people (Hebrews 4:9). It is a day of rest, and that rest from worldly labor must be carefully and strictly kept. Some Jewish teachers said it was a “Sabbath and a little Sabbath,” meaning they counted not only the whole day, but also an hour before it began and an hour after it ended, as extra honor for the day. They did this to show how glad they were for the Sabbath and how unwilling they were to let it go.

It is a Sabbath of rest, but also rest to the Lord, because it is to be devoted to his honor. A penalty is added for breaking it, whoever does work on that day must be put to death. There is also a special command not to kindle fires on the Sabbath for ordinary work, such as smithing or plumbing.

Moses then orders them to prepare for setting up the tabernacle. Two things were needed.

First, all who were able were to give offerings (Exodus 35:5). The tabernacle was to be dedicated to God’s honor and used in his service, so whatever was brought for its building and furnishing counted as an offering to the Lord. Our goodness does not add anything to God himself, but what is spent for his kingdom among people he gladly accepts as given to him. He asks for this kind of response because we receive everything from him and should gladly dedicate everything back to him. The rule was this: whoever has a willing heart should bring an offering. It was not a tax forced on them, but a free gift. This shows that God does not burden his people with harsh demands. He is a ruler who does not press his subjects down with heavy taxes or make them serve by force, but leads with kindness and leaves room for a willing choice. His rule gives no reason for complaint, because he does not rule harshly. It also shows that God loves a cheerful giver and is pleased most with a freewill offering. Such service is acceptable to him when it comes from the willing heart of a willing people (Psalm 110:3).

Second, all who were skilled were to work. Every wise-hearted person among them was to come and make what was needed (Exodus 35:10). God gives his gifts in different ways, and each person should use the gift he has received to serve others (1 Peter 4:10). Those who were rich were to bring materials. Those who had skill were to use their skill for the tabernacle. They needed each other, and the tabernacle needed both kinds of help, as Paul later explains about the body of believers (1 Corinthians 12:7-21). The work would move forward when some gave from their resources and others gave from their hands, both with willing hearts.

Moses also told them the general outline of what was to be made, so they could see how much work lay before them and apply themselves with greater energy (Exodus 35:11-19). This would keep every hand busy, and it gave them such a picture of the finished tabernacle that they could hardly wait to see it completed.