Tabernacle and Its Services
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ing, 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 willinghearted,
and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels
of gold: and every man that offered, offered an offering of gold unto
the Lord.”
“And every man with whom was found blue, and purple, and
scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair, and rams’ skins dyed red, and
sealskins, brought them. Everyone that did offer an offering of silver
and brass brought the Lord’s offering: and every man, with whom was
found acacia wood for any work of the service, brought it.
“And all the women that were wisehearted did spin with their
hands, and brought that which they had spun, the blue, and the purple,
the scarlet, and the fine linen. And all the women whose heart stirred
them up in wisdom spun the goats’ hair.
“And the rulers brought the onyx stones, and the stones to be set,
for the ephod, and for the breastplate; and the spice, and the oil; for
the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.”
Exodus
35:23-28
, R.V.
While the building of the sanctuary was in progress the people,
old and young—men, women, and children—continued to bring their
offerings, until those in charge of the work found that they had enough,
and even more than could be used. And Moses caused to be proclaimed
throughout the camp, “Let neither man nor woman make any more
work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained
from bringing.” The murmurings of the Israelites and the visitations
of God’s judgments because of their sins are recorded as a warning
to after-generations. And their devotion, their zeal and liberality, are
an example worthy of imitation. All who love the worship of God
and prize the blessing of His sacred presence will manifest the same
spirit of sacrifice in preparing a house where He may meet with them.
They will desire to bring to the Lord an offering of the very best that
they possess. A house built for God should not be left in debt, for He
is thereby dishonored. An amount sufficient to accomplish the work
should be freely given, that the workmen may be able to say, as did
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the builders of the tabernacle, “Bring no more offerings.”
The tabernacle was so constructed that it could be taken apart and
borne with the Israelites in all their journeyings. It was therefore small,