Monday, June 16, 2025
Scripture Readings
- Primary Reading: Exodus 35-36
Key Verse
Exodus 36:2 — “And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:”
Devotional Thought
The book of Exodus turns a corner in these chapters. After the golden calf, after the broken tablets and the plague and the tense negotiations of Moses on the mountain, the people who once danced before an idol now stand still and listen. Moses gathers the whole congregation and gives them the word of the LORD: six days for labor, and a seventh that belongs to God alone — a sabbath of rest, so serious that kindling a fire in your tent was forbidden. Then comes the invitation that fills the rest of the passage: “whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it.” Not a tax. Not a levy. A willing heart.
And they came. Men and women, rulers and ordinary folk, bringing bracelets and earrings and rings and tablets of gold, blue and purple and scarlet thread, goats’ hair, rams’ skins dyed red, badgers’ skins, shittim wood, oil, spices, onyx stones. Some spun with their own hands. Some brought silver and brass. The wise-hearted among them — Bezaleel of Judah and Aholiab of Dan, men filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, and with the gift of teaching others — began to build. Curtains coupled with fifty golden taches, boards standing on sockets of silver, a veil embroidered with cherubims, a hanging for the door. Piece by piece, the tabernacle rose.
Then something remarkable happened. The workmen came to Moses and said, “The people bring much more than enough.” Moses had to command them to stop. Imagine that — a building project halted not for lack of funds but for abundance of generosity. “For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.”
We live in a summer season when many of us are busy with projects of our own — gardens, repairs, vacations, plans. But this passage asks a quieter question. What has God stirred in your heart to give? Notice that God did not demand identical gifts. Some gave gold, some spun thread, some set stones, some simply showed up with willing hands. The offering was measured not by the size of the gift but by the willingness of the heart, and the Spirit supplied the skill to shape what was given. God still builds His dwelling among His people the same way — not by compulsion, but by hearts stirred up, spirits made willing, and hands made wise by His Spirit.
Reflection
- When did you last give to the Lord’s work simply because your heart was stirred, rather than out of duty or expectation — and what did that willingness cost you?
- The people gave so generously that Moses had to restrain them. What would it look like in your life this week to give “too much” to God rather than just enough?
Prayer
Lord, You are the God who stirs hearts and makes spirits willing. We confess that we often give You the leftover of our time, our treasure, and our attention, while You have given us everything in Christ. Thank You for the example of Israel, who brought more than enough for the building of Your dwelling place. Fill us with Your Spirit in wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, as You filled Bezaleel and Aholiab, so that the work of our hands would honor You. Make us a generous people, quick to give and glad to serve, until Your glory fills the tabernacle of our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.