Exodus 35 Devotional

Gifts from Stirred Hearts

“So all the men and women of the Israelites whose hearts prompted them brought a freewill offering to the LORD for all the work that the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do.”Exodus 35:29 (BSB)

Moses gathers the whole community, repeats the Sabbath command, and invites everyone whose heart is willing to bring an offering for the tabernacle (35:1-5). The people leave and then return with gifts. Men and women alike bring brooches, rings, necklaces, and earrings, presenting their gold to the LORD (35:22). Skilled women spin yarn with their own hands (35:25-26). Again and again the chapter says the givers came because their hearts were stirred or moved (35:21, 26, 29).

Not long before, these same people had handed Aaron their gold earrings to make a calf (32:2-3). Now, after God has renewed his covenant with them, their gold goes toward the place where he will live. Bezalel and Oholiab are named again as gifted by God, and now also as given the ability to teach others (35:34). Paul says God loves a giver who gives freely from the heart, not under pressure (2 Corinthians 9:7). Giving like this grows out of grace received, and it is open to everyone, whatever they have to bring.

To think about: What do you have that you could offer to God's work this week, freely and from the heart?