Ex. 35:20-29, The True Devotion

Ex. 35:20-29, The True Devotion

  When we read the story of Mary in Luke 7:36-50, we are deeply moved by her devotion. What inspired and touched her heart to anoint Jesus’ feet with her perfume? Exodus 35:20-29 displays the Israelites’ devotion to the LORD for the work on the tent of meeting. Moses said to the whole Israelite community that everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering. All who were willing and whose heart moved brought their offering for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its services and for the sacred garments. So the materials were used to construct beautiful tabernacle. We also devote ourselves and give to God’s work in various ways. With what kind of heart should we give?

1. Beautiful devotion gives offerings of all kinds (vv. 22-28).

  Exodus 35:22 shows that all who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds: brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments. Everyone who had blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen, or goat hair, ram skins dyed red or the other durable leather brought them in verse 23. Some brought offerings of silver or bronze, acacia wood in verse 24. Verse 26 shows that all the women who were willing and had the skills spun the goat hair. The leaders brought onyx stones and other gems, spices, and olive oil in verse 27, 28. All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the LORD freewill offering to the LORD. How do we serve and dedicate ourselves to God? We serve Him with praise and worship, offerings, food, with our time, hearts, services, evangelism, by welcoming people, teaching others, and helping the poor. These are all beautiful and precious. I believe God will reward those who present their offerings to the LORD. When we give, how should we give?

2. Give willingly (vv. 5, 21, 22, 29, 1 Chronicles 29:6,9).

  God made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the Israelites, so that when they left, they did not go empty-handed (Exodus 3:21-22, 12:35-36). The Israelites did as Moses instructed, so they received articles of silver and gold and clothing. When Moses said to the whole Israelite community to bring to the Lord an offering, they gave willingly and wholeheartedly to the Lord. The leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders, the officials in charge of the king’s work, and King David were united, they gave willingly and they rejoiced (1 Chronicles 29:6,9). God calls us to give Him what He has given us such as our knowledge, finances, skills, time, and resources. I pray that God will use our offerings as passage of His blessing.

3. Everyone whose heart moved bring offerings to the Lord (vv. 21, 26).

  When we are inspired by something, we respond and take action. What moves our hearts? When we realize what God has done for us and how He has shown us grace, we are moved by the Holy Spirit. The Israelites passed through the wilderness to get to the Promised Land. God rescued them from the hand of the Egyptians, delivered them from slavery and set them free. He demonstrated His mighty power and glory by dividing the Red Sea and led the Israelites to cross the sea on dry ground with a wall of water on their right and on their left. God gave them victory over the Amalekites. God provided the Israelites manna and quail from heaven. He made the water come out of the rock when they were thirsty. He protected them from heat with the pillar of clouds by day, and He kept them warm from the cold in the night with the pillar of fire. In Exodus 32, when the Israelites disobeyed the LORD and bowed down to the golden calf, He commanded that whoever was for the LORD to kill his brother, friend, and neighbor, and killed 3,000 people. And the LORD struck the people with a plague. Can you imagine how frightened the Israelites must have been? They were terrified and trembled with fear. In Exodus 35, when Moses assembled the whole Israelites community and told them to bring offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, they remembered everything God has done for them and they were thankful for His grace and mercy. Their hearts were moved. They knew that they deserved death and punishment because of their sins, but God saved their lives. So they gave freely, willingly, and wholeheartedly with hearts of gratitude.

  Think about Zacchaeus in Luke 19. He was wealthy, but people criticized him, condemned him, and called him a sinner because he was a chief tax collector and cheated people out of their money. Zacchaeus was lonely and felt empty inside. But Jesus met him and talked to him kindly. When Jesus went to Zacchaeus’ house, Zacchaeus was moved. He made a commitment to give half of his possessions to the poor, and if he has cheated anybody out of anything, he would pay back four times the amount.

  We live by God’s grace everyday. Let us give willingly with hearts of gratitude and bring to the LORD our finances, time, and talents. Be devoted to Him as we wait for Jesus’ return. He will welcome us and say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Amen.