Day Three

Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me. - Exodus 25:2

Did you know that the story of the Exodus has inspired more books and films than any other part of the Bible except for the life of Jesus? This fascinating book tells how God rescued His people from the Egyptians and prepared them for life outside of slavery.  There was a dramatic change that happened for a people living as slaves for 400 years to become a nation able to govern itself for nearly 800 years under God’s leadership.

When I back up and consider how God managed to take these pathetic, bedraggled, frightened, ill-prepared captives out of slavery and transform their whole society to live free, independent and powerfully in a dangerous and hostile part of the world - I’m flabbergasted!  

Getting the people out of Egypt was a series of huge miracles, but reshaping them into His victorious, secure children ready to live and thrive in the Promised Land seems like an even bigger miracle to me.  

After only one year out of Egypt, Moses says, “this is the thing that the Lord has commanded.  Take from among you a contribution to the Lord.  Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the Lord’s contribution” (Exodus 35:5).

These are simple words to read but consider the insecurities facing a person in the wilderness with Moses.  After a lifetime of poverty, the Hebrews plundered their masters’ earthly treasures. Probably for the first time, they had something of value.  Surely, many counted on these items to help them build a new life, yet Moses asks for a contribution to be made to the Lord.

Would I be willing to make a sacrificial gift to the Lord for His tabernacle if I had been in the wilderness with Moses? Am I willing now?

Look at Exodus 35 and see the generous heart of a people changed by the God of the Universe.  It is clear they were willing to cast off fear, shame, and uncertainty to contribute to the dwelling of the Lord.  The next chapters describe how they worked to construct the tabernacle and all the implements.  Exodus 39:43 says that, “Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it; as the Lord had commanded, so had they done it.  Then, Moses blessed them.”  

Lord, give us willing hearts to bless your Name and build your kingdom.

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