Chapter 22—The Sanctuary
The tabernacle was made according to the commandment of God.
The Lord raised up men, and qualified them with more than natural
abilities to perform the most ingenious work. Neither those workmen
nor Moses were left to plan the form, and workmanship of the building.
God himself devised the plan, and gave it to Moses, with particular
directions as to its size and form, and the materials to be used, and
specified every article of furniture which was to be in it. He presented
before Moses a miniature model of the heavenly sanctuary, and com-
manded him to make all things according to the pattern showed him in
the mount. Moses wrote all the directions in a book, and read them to
the most influential of the people.
Then the Lord required the people to bring a freewill offering to
make him a sanctuary that he might dwell among them. “And all the
congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of
Moses. And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and
every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord’s
offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all
his service, and for the holy garments. And they came, both men and
women, as many as were willing-hearted, and brought bracelets, and
ear-rings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold, and every man that
offered, offered an offering of gold unto the Lord.”
Great and expensive preparations were necessary. Precious and
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costly materials must be collected. But the Lord accepted only the
free-will offerings. Devotion to the work of God, and sacrifice from the
heart, were first required in preparing a place for God. And while the
building of the sanctuary was going on, and the people were bringing
their offerings unto Moses, and he presenting them to the workmen,
all the wise men who wrought in the work examined the gifts, and
decided that the people had brought enough, and even more than they
could use. And Moses proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, “Let
neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the
sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.”
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