Exodus 35:10-19: a reflection

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 tabernacle is to be built, God issues an invitation: let every skilled and willing person among you come and make all that the Lord has commanded. There follows a long list of everything that needs making, the structure and its coverings, the ark and the table, the lampstand and the altars, the hangings and the priestly garments. The work is vast, and it will take many hands, each contributing according to their skill.

Notice that the call goes out to all the wise-hearted, not to a select few. The building of God's dwelling was a shared project, drawing on the varied gifts of the whole community, weavers and metalworkers, carpenters and embroiderers, each bringing what they could do. No single person could make it all, and none was too ordinary to be needed. God chose to build his house through the willing offering of many different abilities.

The same is true of God's work today. He does not ask a few professionals to do everything while everyone else watches; he invites all the wise-hearted, everyone with a willing heart and some ability to offer. Whatever your skill, it has a place in what God is building among his people. Do not assume your contribution is too small or too ordinary to matter. Bring what you can do, offer it willingly, and take your place among the many hands through which God builds his house.

Lord, you built your dwelling not through a few but through all the wise-hearted, each offering what they could do. Show me the skill and the willingness you have given me, and help me not to despise my part as too small. Let me bring what I can, offered gladly, and take my place among the many hands through which you build your work among your people. Amen.