This Bible study is all about how God calls and dwells among those who are willing.
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The story of Exodus ends with an offering from those who are willing to give, so that they might make a place for God to dwell among them. In hopeful expectation, they worked so that they could meet with God.
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Read all about how God calls the willing of heart before reflecting on it below.
Exodus 35 – 40
The importance of rest
Before Moses gives the instructions for building the Tabernacle, he again reminds to Israelites of the importance of rest. Building the Tabernacle was going to entail a lot of work. But God still wanted them to rest in His presence. If we are constantly working for God, but never entering into the rest that He provides, we are missing the grace and goodness of who He is. Without God’s rest, we would be a people who only experience part of God’s character.
The penalty for working on the Sabbath was death, just as something in us dies every time we refuse to find our rest in Jesus. How do you rest in the finished work of Christ (Hebrews 4:9-11)?
Take an offering from those who are willing
After the Israelites understood the importance of rest, Moses instructs them to take an offering for everything they will need to build the temple. But Moses states that only those whose heart is willing should bring an offering. Then, Moses sent the people away to go back into their homes. In private, they decided for themselves if they would give and how much. There was no manipulation to give, it was truly an offering from the heart.
God has blessed us with everything we have, but He does not want us to give anything back unless we do it gladly. How do you give back to God (2 Corinthians 9:7)?
Bring what you have if you are willing
The Israelites brought gold, silver, precious gems, and even goat hair to give for the tabernacle. God is less concerned with the physical value of something than He is with your heart. Those who had much were able to give much. But even for those who could only offer goat’s hair, God was pleased with their sacrifice because they brought what they could. And God used the goat hair as an outer covering for the tabernacle, ensuring that no rain could ruin the fine linen that it covered. God can use whatever you are willing to bring to Him. Even if all you have is your broken self.
What do you bring before God (Romans 5:3-5)?
Morning after morning
The Israelites were so moved to give back to God that they kept bringing their offerings morning after morning. It got to the point where there was enough material, so Moses told the Israelites that there was no more need. There were probably a few Israelites who were willing, but had stopped themselves from giving for whatever reason, and now they had lost their opportunity to do so. God does not need your gift, but He wants your gift because it shows your heart is becoming like His.
Do you give in the same way that God gives to you (James 1:5)?
The Tabernacle
The Tabernacle is again described (in great detail) as Moses and the skilled workers build it according to God’s design. It is easy to wonder WHY God would include the same story again, especially when it is as boring as the Tabernacle dimensions. Let us remember that every word in the Bible is inspired and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Just as when you undertake a great project, you pour over the plans again and again, delighting in every detail. So also does Moses pour over ever detail of God’s dwelling place.
May this attitude also be true of our hearts. Do you look at every word of the Bible with hopeful expectations for what the Lord will do? Are you excited to see what God has in store for you (Psalm 85:8)?
Every word points to Jesus
Here is a reminder that every word points to the gospel – the good news that we have a savior who died and rose again so that we may live in right relationship with God. The Ark of the Covenant signifies God’s presence with us, while the table of showbread demonstrates fellowship with God and feasting on His word. The lampstand shows the light of Christ alive in us, spread to others. Our constant communion with God through prayer is found in the Altar of Incense. And the Altar of burnt offering points to the sacrifice of Christ. The courtyard demonstrates the one way to Christ, and the materials used to build God’s dwelling place are our offerings.
Related post: The truth about the dwelling place of God
How do you see that glory of God made alive in the Old Testament (Luke 24:44)?
God uses women who are willing
When it came time to build the basin for washing, mirrors were given from the women whose hearts were willing. These women gave up the mirrors that would be used to evaluate their physical beauty and how they compared to others so that the mirrors could be used to reflect God’s glory. They were so focused on God that they failed to look at themselves. These were also the same women who would serve at the entrance of the tent of the meeting. The Hebrew word here for serve, ṣᵊḇā’, also means “to go forth, to fight, or to wage war.” When we serve the Lord, we put on the full armor of God because we are fighting a spiritual battle. We fight for the kingdom of God and for our families.
Are you willing to give up looking at yourself so that you can look to the kingdom of God, fighting for it in everything you do (Romans 14:17)?
The garments of Christ for the willing
Again, we are reminded of the splendor of the garments that were made for the High priests. We are reminded that even the garments looked forward to the glory that would be revealed in Jesus. When the priests’ put on these garments, the garments bore the judgment of Israel. In the same way, when Jesus died on the cross He took our sins, and when we believe, we clothe ourselves with Christ. So Christ takes the judgment for us.
Related post: God’s priests: the incredible truth about being clothed in righteousness
How have you clothed yourself with the garments of Christ (Galatians 3:27)?
Those who are willing do everything the Lord commands
Moses did everything as the Lord commanded. This phrase is repeated over and over in these chapters. Here, we see how Moses followed God’s commands and built the Tabernacle, following every small detail that God put forth. It would have been easy to make “minor adjustments” to the Tabernacle plans, but Moses was obedient to every detail.
Are you obedient to what God has called you to do (1 Peter 1:14-16)?
Still waiting
The Israelites were still in the wilderness waiting for God to lead them into the promised land, and through the waiting, they kept their focus on God. The glory of the Lord was with them and filled the tabernacle. Although the Israelites had sinned repeatedly by not trusting God and making a golden calf to worship, they kept turning back to God. God was faithful to His rebellious people, just as He is faithful to you. We can be sure that whenever we draw near to God, He will draw near to us.
Are you willing to draw near to God? How can you strengthen your relationship with Him today (Isaiah 40:31)?
Reflect on being willing
In these chapters, we saw how God used those who were willing to do His work. Because of their obedience, they welcomed the glory of God in their lives. Although they did not earn the glory of God, the waited expectantly for God to fulfil His promise to dwell among them. Are you willing to serve God in everything He calls you to, enjoying His presence through Jesus?
