Scripture Daily

Context No. 4026 of 4322 · Exodus

Context · Reflection

Exodus 35:10-19: in context

10“‘Let every wise-hearted man among you come, and make all that the LORD has commanded: 11the tabernacle, its outer covering, its roof, its clasps, its boards, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets; 12the ark, and its poles, the mercy seat, the veil of the screen; 13the table with its poles and all its vessels, and the show bread; 14the lamp stand also for the light, with its vessels, its lamps, and the oil for the light; 15and the altar of incense with its poles, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, the screen for the door, at the door of the tabernacle; 16the altar of burnt offering, with its grating of bronze, its poles, and all its vessels, the basin and its base; 17the hangings of the court, its pillars, their sockets, and the screen for the gate of the court; 18the pins of the tabernacle, the pins of the court, and their cords; 19the finely worked garments for ministering in the holy place—the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons—to minister in the priest’s office.’”

As the work of building the tabernacle begins, Moses issues an invitation: let every skilled craftsman among you come and make all that the LORD has commanded. The work was vast, the tabernacle itself, its coverings and furniture, the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the priestly garments, and it would take the contribution of many people, each bringing their particular skill.

God did not do this work by a single hand or a lone leader; he invited the whole community of the willing and skilled to take part. Two things stand out. God's work is a shared work. The making of his dwelling required many hands, weavers and metalworkers and carpenters and jewelers, each contributing what they could do. No one skill was enough; the whole was built by many willing contributors. And the invitation was to those with willing hearts, people glad to offer their abilities for his work. God's work still needs the willing contribution of many, each bringing their particular gifts. The question is whether we will be among those who, with willing hearts, come and offer what we can do for the work of God.

Am I among those who, with a willing heart, come and offer my particular skills and gifts for the work of God, or do I hold back and leave his work to others?

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