Exodus 35 Commentary
The Tabernacle was a two-component system: physical articles and a set of procedures. This chapter provides a rich list of physical articles.
A set of procedures and rules governing business at the Tabernacle would follow later.
The Tabernacle was a portable tent structure to suit the nomadic nature of Israel’s intervening years. If you live in a tent, expect the LORD to pitch His tent next to yours. If you live in a mansion, expect a mansion similar to yours for the LORD.
Jesus never spends His night at the hotel while His children slave it under the cold open skies!
The Tabernacle was God’s house among the people. Think of kitchen equipment, lighting, food, and house workers. Include housekeeping items in the form of rules for food preparation and presentation, rules for timing of activities, and a dress code.
Then you have a picture of what it means to interact with divinity.
The entire system revolved around the presence of the LORD God as represented by the Ark. The Ark itself was nothing but a golden box containing the 10 Commandments. Israel’s worship was simple!
The Sabbath was a universal command with a death sentence attached to it for any violation. However, the construction of the Tabernacle was a “free will” situation. It’s constructed out of free will offerings. Two components come out.
The worship of the Creator God is “free will” but it is also a “must” situation. Offenders won’t escape. We see it in the name of the LORD God. Love and justice combine in an impossible package!
The offerings were free-will offerings, but there was nothing “free” or “loose” about the activities of God’s house. Rules were strict, rigid, and obligatory.
People brought whatever they had. There wasn’t space for “forced” generosity!
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