The Pulpit Commentaries
Exodus 35:21-29
EXPOSITION
THE ZEAL OF THE PEOPLE IN OFFERING. Moses dismissed the people; but they soon began to return, bringing their offerings with them. There was a general, if not a universal, willingness Men and women alike "brought bracelets (brooches?), and earrings, and rings, and armlets—all articles of gold," and offered them to the Lord (Exodus 35:22). Others brought blue and purple and scalier and fine linen, and goats' hair and rams' skins dyed red, and badger (or rather, seal) skins (Exodus 35:23). Silver and bronze and shittimwood were contributed by others (Exodus 35:24). The women, who were the only spinners, brought their spun yarn of blue and purple and scarlet and fine linen, and their yarn of goats' hair (Exodus 35:25, Exodus 35:26); while the richest class of all—"the rulers"—gave, as their contribution, the onyx stones for the ephod, the jewels for the high-priest's breastplate, and the oil needed for the light, together with rare spices for the anointing ointment and the incense (Exodus 35:27, Exodus 35:28). Subsequently, we are told that what was contributed was "much more than enough" (Exodus 36:5), and that the people had to be "restrained from bringing" (Exodus 36:6).
The Lord's offering—i.e; "their offering to Jehovah." For all his service. The use of "his" for "its" causes an unfortunate ambiguity here. The antecedent to the pronoun is not the Lord, but the tabernacle.
They came, both men and women. That among the Hebrews gold ornaments were worn by men, as well as by women, is indicated by Exodus 3:22, and Exodus 32:2. The Egyptian men at the time of the Exodus wore armlets, bracelets, and sometimes anklets, but not often earrings Earrings, however, had been worn by the household of Jacob (Genesis 35:2). Bracelets. Rather, "buckles" or "brooches." Kalisch says, "nose-rings," and so Gesenins and Rosenmuller. Tablets. Rather, "armlets" (Furst, Cook), or perhaps "necklaces "(Gesenius Kalisch, Knobel). Every man that offered, offered an offering of gold. It is not meant that every man who offered anything gave with it an offering of gold, but simply that, besides those who brought the articles named there were others who brought gold offerings of some different kind.
Red skins of rams. The words are the same as those translated "rams' skins dyed red" in Exodus 25:5. The earlier rendering is the better one. Badger skins. Rather, "seal skins." See the comment on Exodus 25:5.
Every one that did offer an offering of silver. It would seem that silver was offered by some in the way of a free-will offering, in addition to the compulsory half-shekel (Exodus 30:12-2). Curiously, however, the amount obtained in this way is not given in Exodus 38:24-2.
All the women that were wise-hearted—i.e; "skilful." See the comment on Exodus 28:3. Brought that which they had spun, both of blue, etc. The flax itself was dyed, so that the thread produced was already coloured. Of fine linen—i.e. "white." All the threads were flaxen.
All the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom. This strong expression seems to imply that peculiar skill was required for spinning goats' hair.
The rulers are, no doubt, the "elders" of Exodus 3:16; Exodus 4:29; Exodus 24:9, etc. Moses had made them "rulers," or rather, "princes" (sarey), according to the advice of Jethro (Exodus 18:25). They brought onyx stones for the ephod (Exodus 28:9-2) and stones to be set,—i.e; gems for the breastplate (Exodus 28:17-2); oil of olive for the lamp (Exodus 27:20) and the holy ointment (Exodus 29:24), and spice for the same (Exodus 29:23, Exodus 29:24) and for the incense (Exodus 29:34).
HOMILETICS
Zeal in offering.
Appeals are made to men, in all parts of the world, and in all ages, for material contributions towards the erection of structures in which God is to be worshipped. The spirit in which such appeals are met varies.
(1) Occasionally, they are met in a scoffing spirit. "What, your God needs a house, and cannot build one for himself! He must beg contributions, put out a subscription list! And for what? To make a huge building, which will be of no practical use—not a school, not a hospital, not a corn-exchange, but a Church! Catch us giving anything!" Or
(2) it is met in a grudging spirit. "Why is so much required? What need is there for so large a building, or for such rich ornament, or for such architectural display?" And the general inclination,, is to give as little as it is' decent to give. Or
(3) it is met in a fussy spirit. Let the matter be well considered—let meetings be held—let a committee be formed—let our advice be taken. If we give, we must be consulted—we must have a voice in the arrangements—we must examine the plans and express our opinion upon them. Then Perhaps we may bead the subscription-list with something handsome." Very different was the spirit which now animated the Israelites, and which is here held up for our imitation. Their response to the appeal made to them by Moses was—
I. DEVOUT. None objected. None asked why a tabernacle was wanted, or why the tent which Moses had made a place of worship would not suffice. None scoffed at the idea of a "House of God." All seemed to see the propriety of it. All felt that what they brought was "the Lord's offering" (Exodus 35:21, Exodus 35:24)—a real gift to Jehovah. All longed to have a place of worship of a worthy character.
II. UNGRUDGING AND SPONTANEOUS. Their "hearts stirred them up," their "spirits made them willing" (Exodus 35:21). They "brought a willing offering unto the Lord" (Exodus 35:29). The rich brought jewels and precious spices; the men and women of the middle class brought their personal ornaments; the poor men gave brass, or silver, or a ram's skin, or a piece of acacia wood; the poor women gave the labour of their hands, and spun thread for the hangings. There was no murmuring, no complaining, no fabrication of excuses—so far as appears, no open refusing to give, though there was some abstention.
III. IMMEDIATE. In one verse we read "they departed" (Exodus 35:20), in the next (Exodus 35:21) "they came." There was no delay, no considering, no discussing one with another, no asking "How much do you intend to give?" Each man seemed to be well persuaded of the truth of the adage—"Bis dat qui cito dat," and brought his offering at once.
IV. UNSELFISH AND UNCONDITIONAL. NO one wanted to have a quid pro quo as the condition of his giving. No one asked to "see the plans." All were willing to leave the ordering of the work to Moses, and put their contributions absolutely in his bands. A spirit of enthusiasm was stirred up, and none thought of anything but how much he could possibly spare for the grand work which they understood Moses to contemplate. The wealth of Easterns is stored chiefly in the form of ornaments, and to denude themselves of these was a great effort of self-sacrifice.