June 29, 2025
Exodus 35:1-36:7
“Built by Grace, Given in Worship”
Service Overview: As the tabernacle takes shape, God’s people bring what they have with generous, willing hearts. The Spirit empowers skilled workers, and the result is worship in motion. Exodus 35–36 shows that when God moves, His people respond—not under compulsion, but out of joy, participation, and reverence for His presence.
Memory Verse for the Week:
2 Corinthians 9:7 – Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Background & Technical Insights:
- The tabernacle obviously took some time to build, and at the beginning of Exodus 35 most of the work still had to be done. God had drawn up the plans, but Moses had not yet carried them out. There had been an unexpected delay, as there often is with building projects. The people had sinned by setting up an alternative worship service around the golden calf. But God had forgiven their sin through the intercession of Moses, the mediator, and now they were finally ready to start construction. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Exodus, 1079)
- Much of the material concerning the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings in chapters 35–39 resembles closely God’s instructions in chapters 25–30. The detailed repetition is intentional, confirming that the Israelites construct the tabernacle exactly as God has instructed. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 297)
- Faithful to His promises in Exodus 6:6–8, the Lord delivered His people from Egypt (Ex. 1—18) and at Sinai “adopted” them to Himself as His special treasure (Ex. 19—24; Rom. 9:4). Now He was about to fulfill the rest of that promise by coming to the camp of Israel to dwell with His people (Ex. 25—40). In order to do this, the Lord needed two things: a place for His glory to dwell and servants to minister to Him in that place. Therefore, He commanded the Jews to build the tabernacle and to set apart the tribe of Levi to serve Him. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Delivered: Exodus, 152)
- This glory is the climax of the construction of the tabernacle; and it’s the climax of the story of the exodus. God has rescued his people from slavery and death so that they can enjoy his presence and see his glory. Everything so far has been leading up to this moment. (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 259)
- The passage concludes by noting how Israel obeyed the Lord’s command through Moses by bringing a freewill offering (nĕdābâ) to the Lord (35:29). The stress here is on willingness and choice, on giving out of the sheer will and wish to give. In chapter 35 there are in all seven verses referring to the engagement of the heart in the exercise of consecrating possessions and talents to the Lord, most of which are not apparent from the NIV’s translation. (J. Alec Motyer, The Message of Exodus, 316)
What happens when God’s grace grips the hearts of His people?
- God’s grace reorders their rhythm.
(vv. 1–3 | Ex. 20:8–11; 31:13; Lev. 23:3; Deut. 5:15; Psalm 46:10; Isaiah 30:15; Mark 2:27)
The tabernacle is his plan and promise to dwell among his people—a plan in which he recreates the earth as his dwelling place with a recreated humanity in a recreated time. Israel is that recreated humanity in microcosm. The tabernacle is that new creation or heaven-on-earth in microcosm. The Sabbath is that recreated time in microcosm. The tabernacle is a divine statement of cosmological intent (Exodus 25:8-9, 40; 26:30; 27:8; 31:11; 39:32, 42-43). (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 255)
- God’s grace awakens hearts toward generosity.
(vv. 4–29 | Deut. 15:10; Prov. 3:9–10; Mat. 6:21; Acts 20:35; Rom. 12:8; 2 Cor. 9:7)
[Here] we see the magnificent picture of generosity: “the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning” (36:3). Moses had to tell them to stop giving after he had received sufficient resources (vv. 6-7). (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 216)
We pay for the things we prize. So by giving for the tabernacle, the people were declaring their love for God, offering their hearts to him. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 1086)
Where the heart is right and motives of personal consecration are at work, the purse strings get relaxed and problems of finance and supply are at an end (cf. 36:4–7). The wealth that the people lavished must, for the most part, have come to them when the Lord touched Egyptian hearts to respond to the desires of departing Israel (12:36). (J. Alec Motyer, The Message of Exodus, 316)
- God’s grace empowers meaningful work.
(vv. 35:30–36:7 | Eph. 2:10; Phil. 2:13; Col. 3:23–24; 1 Thes. 1:3; 1 Peter 4:10–11)
If God had wanted to, he could have dropped a tabernacle from the sky, but this is not the way he works. He invites us to get involved with what he is doing in the world. In this case God made the plans, but the people did the work. He initiated the tabernacle, but they participated in its construction. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 1082)
This was a community effort. Without full participation, the tabernacle never would have been built. God only wanted those who were willing to help, and most of the people were willing. Nearly everyone participated. The Bible says, “All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the LORD freewill offerings for all the work the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do” (v. 29). (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 1086)
While God graciously initiates the building project, the Israelites themselves must undertake the task of manufacturing everything. This provides them with an opportunity to show their gratitude to God for all that he has already done for them. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 303)
Conclusion: How should we respond if we’ve been gripped by God’s grace?
- Live with a rhythm shaped by faith and trust, not hustle.
(Ex. 14:14; Ps. 127:2; Is. 26:3; Jer. 6:16; Matt. 6:33–34; Mark 6:31; Luke 10:41–42)
Of all the blessings God gives (and there are many), this is the greatest: God himself, in his glory. (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 259)
We should rest in Christ alone for our salvation. But along with that there is still an abiding principle that we ought to worship on the Lord’s Day and trust God enough to have a weekly routine where we cease from our normal labors… He made the Sabbath for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27). God gives us Sabbath as a gift; it’s an island of get-to in a sea of have-to… If my goal is God-glorifying productivity over a lifetime of hard work, there are few things I need more than a regular rhythm of rest. (Kevin DeYoung, Crazy Busy, 91)
- Give from a heart stirred by grace, not guilt.
(Prov. 11:25; Mal. 3:10; Mat. 10:8; Luke 6:38; Acts 2:45; 2 Cor. 8:2–3; 1 Tim. 6:17–19)
Our giving is but a reflex of God’s giving. (Sam Storms, Pleasures Evermore, 64)
God gives us a new heart as believers, and one of the inevitable results of that new heart is generosity. (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 216)
Human wisdom is not enough for the work of God; there has to be an outpouring of heavenly wisdom. And yet without consecrated giving the work would remain undone and the awesome reality of the indwelling of God would be unrealized. (J. Alec Motyer, The Message of Exodus, 317)
When we give, we show that we have been moved by His grace and favor. Those who understand grace, freely give (2 Cor 8:9). Yes, generous giving comes from a heart that has been changed. Has yours? (Tony Merida, Exodus, 216)
- Serve with the gifts God has given, not the ones you wish you had.
(Rom. 12:3–8; 1 Cor. 12:14–20; Eph. 4:11–13; Col. 3:17; 2 Tim. 1:6–7; 1 Peter 4:10)
Whether it’s for building the tabernacle in the Old Testament, building the church in the New Testament, or building our lives and ministries today, the Holy Spirit of God must equip us and enable us to do the job. God gave Bezalel and Oholiab the skill and wisdom they needed, but He also equipped the craftsmen who worked under them, and led by the Spirit, in obedience to the Word, they constructed the tabernacle and its furniture. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Delivered: Exodus, 157)
God has spiritually gifted each one of us. In the same way that each member of an orchestra plays a specific instrument, each member of God’s family has been given specific gifts that manifest the active presence of the Holy Spirit. (Charles R. Swindoll, 1 & 2 Corinthians, 182)
Gospel Connection…
Jesus gave Himself fully so we could become God’s dwelling; built by grace, given in worship.
(John 1:14; Rom. 12:1; 2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 2:19–22; Col. 1:19–22; Titus 2:14; Heb. 10:19–22)
The tabernacle was no ordinary building. Indeed, there was nothing like it in the world. It was designed by God himself and built to tell the story of his salvation. Its layout and furnishings showed how sinful people could approach a holy God by offering an atoning sacrifice. This was all in preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 1089)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- What stood out to you most from this passage or message? Why?
- How is rest an act of faith? In what ways do you struggle to live with a “rhythm shaped by trust, not hustle”?
- What’s the difference between giving out of guilt versus giving from a heart moved by grace? How can we cultivate that kind of heart?
- What resources—material, personal, or spiritual—has God entrusted to you that you could “bring” in worship to Him?
- Where do you see God’s Spirit empowering people around you to serve in unique and beautiful ways? How might your gifts fit into that?
- In Exodus 36:5–7, the people had to be told to stop giving! What would it take for that kind of overflow to happen in our church today?
Quotes to note…
God’s willingness to take up residence among the Israelites brings the book of Exodus to an important climax. This event is highly significant in the light of God’s plan not only for Israel but for all of humanity. From the outset of creation it was God’s intention that the earth would be his dwelling place, shared with human beings and other creatures. Unfortunately, the actions of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden complicated the fulfillment of God’s plan, requiring God to redeem the whole of creation from the grip of evil. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 302)
What has God given to us? Everything! Right down to the last precious drop of the Savior’s blood. What are we giving him in return? (Phillip Graham Ryken, Exodus, 1098)
We can give to God only that which He has first given to us, for all things come from Him. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Delivered: Exodus, 157)
We give only what the Lord has already given to us. Everything ultimately is traceable to his grace (cf. 1 Chr. 29:14). But the message of the great season of gifts in Exodus presses home another lesson too: that by the Lord’s will our primary use of the fruits of redemption is to engage in those acts which secure his presence among us. (J. Alec Motyer, The Message of Exodus, 316)
Not only did God create the materials that the people brought to Him (Isa. 66:1–2), but He also worked in their hearts so that they were willing to give generously (see 2 Cor. 8:1–5, 12). In fact, the people brought so much that Moses had to tell them to stop (Ex. 36:6–7)! (Warren Wiersbe, Be Delivered: Exodus, 157)
The repeated English phrase “[those] who were willing” does not quite do justice to the Hebrew, which regularly adds the word leb, “heart” (and once also ruah, “spirit”; 35:21). “Everyone who is willing” (35:5) is in Hebrew, “everyone eager of heart,” while “all who are skilled” (35:10) is “everyone wise of heart.” The willing or eager heart is mentioned so often (seven times altogether in our passage), and so inclusively (of “all . . . men and women alike”), that we are left in no doubt that the whole community is caught up in this outpouring of heartfelt generosity and diligence. (Christopher J.H. Wright, Exodus, 608)
These chapters bring the book of Exodus to an important climax with the Lord coming in all his glory to inhabit the tabernacle in the midst of the Israelite camp. The whole of Exodus has been moving toward this remarkable event. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 296)
This is a moment to savor. It’s one of the rare times in Exodus — indeed, in the whole Old Testament — when the people of God actually did what they were told to do. Rather than doing their own thing or worshiping false gods, they obeyed what God commanded. This was marvelous! More than that, it was glorious, because God is highly exalted whenever we do his will. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 1085)
June 29, 2025
Exodus 35:1-36:7
“Built by Grace, Given in Worship”
Pastor David Turner