The Offering for the Tabernacle

INTRODUCTION: This lesson teaches us about the willingness of God’s people to give to Him when they are in a right relationship with Him. The church at Antioch was a giving church (Acts 11:27-30). The church at Philippi was a giving church (Philippians 4:14-19). We need to be a giving people.

1. THE SABBATH DAY OF REST (Exodus 35:1-3)
1. A Sabbath for Israel (Exodus 35:1; Exodus 31:12-17)
1. Moses gathered the congregation together.
2. Moses told the congregation of Gods instruction for them (Ezekiel 20:12).
2. A Sabbath of Rest (Exodus 35:2)
1. Separation from - no work on seventh day (Deuteronomy 5:12-14)
2. Separation unto a sabbath of rest to the LORD
3. The cost of disobedience is death.
3. No Fire to be Kindled (Exodus 35:3; Exodus 16:23)
2. THE TAKING OF A SPECIAL OFFERING (Exodus 35:4-19)
1. The Nature of the Offering (Exodus 35:4-5)
1. Commanded of the Lord (Exodus 35:4)
2. Taken from among the people of God (Exodus 35:5;
   3 John 1:7)
   
3. Given with a willing heart (Exodus 35:5)
2. A Specific Offering (Exodus 35:5-9)
1. Offerings directed by the Lord (Exodus 35:5-7)
2. Offerings with a purpose (Exodus 35:8-9)
3. An Offering of Service (Exodus 35:10-19)
1. Given by the wise hearted (Exodus 35:10)
2. Given for the tabernacle (Exodus 35:11)
3. Given for the ark (Exodus 35:12)
4. Given for the table (Exodus 35:13)
5. Given for the candlestick (Exodus 35:14)
6. Given for the incense altar (Exodus 35:15)
7. Given for the altar of burnt offering (Exodus 35:16)
8. Given for the court (Exodus 35:17-18)
9. Given for the clothing of the priests (Exodus 35:19)
3. THE GIFTS OF A WILLING PEOPLE (Exodus 35:20-29)
1. Whose Heart Was Willing (Exodus 35:20-21)
1. Whose heart stirred him up (1 Chronicles 28:9; Jeremiah 30:21)
1. Note: The word heart is found 6 times in Exodus 35. This lesson is centered on the gifts of the people for the building of the tabernacle, but the Lord does not want His people to lose sight of the fact that the offering is to be a gift from the heart.
2. Whose spirit made him willing (Psalm 110:3; Romans 1:9)
2. Both Men and Women (Exodus 35:22; Galatians 3:28)
1. As many as were willing hearted
2. Bringing gifts of gold
3. Giving of What They Had (Exodus 35:23-24; 2 Corinthians 8:12)
1. The people searched their own belongings with whom was found.
2. The people brought of their own possessions.
4. Giving of Their Own Labor (Exodus 35:25-26; Proverbs 31:19-24)
1. The women spun with their own hands.
2. The women brought gifts birthed from their labor.
5. The Gifts of the Rulers (Exodus 35:27-28; 1 Chronicles 29:6; Ezra 2:68)
1. Gifts for the breastplate (Exodus 35:27)
2. Gifts for the candlestick (Exodus 35:28)
3. Gifts for the altar of incense (Exodus 35:28)
6. The Gifts of All Manner of Work (Exodus 35:29)
4. PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL GIFTS (Exodus 35:30-35)
1. Those Called by Name (Exodus 35:30-33)
1. Called (Exodus 35:30)
1. Bezaleel
2. Of the tribe of Judah
2. Filled (Exodus 35:31)
1. In the Old Testament, the Holy Ghost apparently did not indwell believers, but came upon them for special purposes (see Judges 14:5-6; Judges 15:14-16; 1 Samuel 16:13).
2. There seems to be a few exceptions to this rule though as some were said to have the Spirit of God in them or filling them.
1. Joseph (Genesis 41:38)
2. Bezaleel (Exodus 35:31)
3. Joshua (Numbers 27:18)
4. John the Baptist (Luke 1:15)
5. The prophets (1 Peter 1:10-11)
3. However, the Holy Spirit did not indwell all believers until after the resurrection of Christ (John 14:17)
3. Used (Exodus 35:32-33)
2. Those Called to Serve (Exodus 35:34-35)
1. In teaching (Exodus 35:34; 2 Timothy 2:2)
2. In working with their hands (Exodus 35:35)
5. THE FULFILLMENT OF ALL NEEDS (Exodus 36:1-7)
1. The Work for the Sanctuary (Exodus 36:1-3)
1. Provided by men called of God (Exodus 36:1)
1. Chosen according to the Lords commandment
2. Chosen according to the filling of wisdom from the Lord
3. Note: Even those who labored with their hands received their abilities from the hand of the Lord.
2. Called to order by Moses (Exodus 36:2)
3. Built with the offerings of the people of God (Exodus 36:3)
2. The Needs Supplied (Exodus 36:4-7)
1. The wise men ceased from their work (Exodus 36:4).
2. The people brought more than enough (Exodus 36:5; 2 Chronicles 31:4-10).
3. The people were restrained from giving (Exodus 36:6).
4. The offerings given were sufficient for the work and more (Exodus 36:7).

CONCLUSION: The Israelites gave not only of their goods, but they gave of their labor and of themselves (Exodus 35:10, 25, 29; Exodus 36:2). We are to do the same (2 Corinthians 8:3-5). Their offering was from willing hearts. Are you willing to give unto the Lord?