Then God instructed Moses to gather offerings from the people in order to construct the Tabernacle (Exodus 25:1-9). It’s really just a large tent, but it turns out that there are very specific details regarding how it is to be constructed. We should especially notice this: the point of making the Tabernacle is that this will be where the presence of God is manifested among us (25:8).

As to the furnishings for the Tabernacle, there will be an ark of acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold, carried by shafts run through rings on the side of the ark (25:10-14). There will be a table (25:23-28), a lampstand (25:31-36), and an altar (27:1-8). An entire chapter will be devoted to the directions for constructing the tent itself (26:1-37). It is to be formed from 10 fine linen sheets, each 42 feet long and six feet wide, and dyed violet-purple, red-purple, and crimson: they will be embroidered with great winged creatures (26:1-2).

All of this material is to be provided by voluntary offerings: The Lord instructs Moses to receive a contribution from anyone whose heart is moved to give. All the contributions come as materials: gold, silver, and bronze; cloth and leather and dye; wood, oil, and spices; precious stones (25:3-7).

Of course, the Israelites had been impoverished slaves, and had none of these rich items; but they had despoiled the Egyptians of great wealth when they left Egypt (12:35-36). Now all their families were suddenly in possession of all these costly items: and how would they respond when called on to give up some of these goods, if their heart felt moved? As it would turn out, they gave generously (35:20-29), indeed more than enough to make everything (36:3-7).

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Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. … You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way … (II Corinthians 9:7, 11).
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All things in heaven and earth are yours, O Lord: whatever we hold in our hands is a gift that has come to us from you. We are often quick to forget that: but we pray that you would move our hearts, so that we may indeed be people of generosity, in service to you, in all our lives.

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