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英文原文
What should have been said and done upon Moses' coming down the first time from the mount, if the golden calf had not broken the measures and put all into disorder, now at last, when with great difficulty reconciliation was made, begins to be said and done; and that great affair of the setting up of God's worship is put into its former channel again, and goes on now without interruption. I. Moses gives Israel those instructions, received from God, which required immediate observance. 1. Concerning the sabbath, Ex 35:1-3. 2. Concerning the contribution that was to be made for the erecting of the tabernacle, Ex 35:4-9. 3. Concerning the framing of the tabernacle and the utensils of it, Ex 35:10-19. II. The people bring in their contributions, Ex 35:20-29. III. The head-workmen are nominated, Ex 35:30-35, etc.
1-19
Orders Concerning the Tabernacle (1491 BC)
關於會幕的吩咐（主前1491年）
¹ 摩西招聚以色列全會眾，對他們說：「這是耶和華所吩咐的話，叫你們照著行：
² 六日要做工，第七日乃為聖日，當向耶和華守為安息聖日。凡在這日之內做工的，必把他治死。
³ 當安息日，不可在你們一切的住處生火。」
⁴ 摩西對以色列全會眾說：「耶和華所吩咐的是這樣，說：
⁵ 你們中間要拿禮物獻給耶和華。凡樂意獻的可以拿禮物來獻給耶和華，就是金、銀、銅，
⁶ 藍色、紫色、朱紅色線，細麻，山羊毛，
⁷ 染紅的公羊皮，海狗皮，皂莢木，
⁸ 點燈的油並做膏油和香的香料，
⁹ 紅瑪瑙與可以鑲在以弗得和胸牌上的寶石。」
¹⁰ 你們中間凡心裏有智慧的都要來做耶和華一切所吩咐的；
¹¹ 就是會幕和帳幕，並會幕的一切器具，鉤子、豎板、橫木、柱子、帶卯的座，
¹² 櫃和櫃的杠，施恩座，和遮掩櫃的幔子，
¹³ 桌子和桌子的杠與桌子的一切器具，並陳設餅，
¹⁴ 燈臺和燈臺的器具，並燈盞和點燈的油，
¹⁵ 香壇和壇的杠，膏油和馨香料，並會幕門口的簾子，
¹⁶ 燔祭壇和壇的銅網，壇的杠並壇的一切器具，洗濯盆和盆座，
¹⁷ 院子的帷子和帷子的柱子，帶卯的座，和院子的門簾，
¹⁸ 帳幕的橛子，並院子的橛子，和這兩處的繩子，
¹⁹ 精工做的禮服，和祭司亞倫並他兒子在聖所用以供祭司職分的聖衣。」
概略地說過（出三十四32）：摩西把他們耶和華在西奈山與他所吩咐的一切話都吩咐他們。但建造和陳設會幕乃是他們如今當立即着手的工作，所以此處特別提到關於此事的吩咐。
I. 全會眾被召集來聽命（出三十五1）；即會眾的首領和官長、各支派的代表，他們要從摩西領受指示——如摩西從耶和華領受的一樣——並要向百姓傳達。照樣，約翰受命將所啟示的寫給七個教會，也是寫給教會的使者——即傳道人。
II. 摩西所交託的一切（且僅限於）神所吩咐他的；如此他向神和以色列都證明自己是忠心的——他是兩者之間的信使或中保。他若有所增加、更改或刪減，就對兩者都不忠。但雙方既都信任他，他就忠於所託；然而他不過是作為僕人忠心，基督卻是作為兒子（來三5-6）。
III. 他從安息日的律法開始，因為這在他所領受的指示中備受強調（出三十五2-3）：六日要做工——為會幕做工，即當做的工在當做的日子去做；他們在這曠野裏沒有別的事可做——既無農耕又無貿易，既不必為食物勞碌也不必縫製衣服：但第七日你們不可動一下，就是為會幕做工也不可；安息日的尊榮高過聖所的尊榮，更為古老、更為長久；那日對你們當為聖日，獻給神，不可花在尋常的事務上。這是安息的安息日。有人讀作安息的安息日——比任何其他節期更尊貴、更卓越，且比它們都要長存。另有人讀作安息的安息，預表那為神子民存留的屬靈和永遠的安息（來四9）。這是安息的安息日，即必須非常仔細嚴格地守著從一切世俗勞碌中安息的日子。有些猶太人要把它讀作安息日加上小安息日——不僅把整天守為安息日，還在它開始前一小時和結束後一小時都守為安息——這是他們從自己的時間中額外奉獻的，稱之為小安息日，為要表明他們何等樂於安息日的到來、何等不捨得它的離去。這是安息的安息日，但這安息是歸給耶和華的，當獻給他以示尊榮。違背安息日的刑罰在此附上：凡在這日之內做工的，必把他治死。 此外還特別禁止在安息日為任何奴役性的工作——如鐵匠活、鉛管活等等——生火。
IV. 他吩咐為設立會幕作準備。有兩件事要做：
1. 凡有能力的人都當奉獻：你們中間要拿禮物獻給耶和華（出三十五5）。會幕要獻給神為聖、用於事奉他；因此為建造和陳設會幕而獻上的，乃是獻給耶和華的禮物。我們的善行不能延伸到神自己身上，但為著維護他在人間的國度和旨意而獻上的，他樂於悅納為獻給他自己的禮物；他要求我們如此承認一切是從他領受的，也要求我們如此表明將一切奉獻給他。原則是：凡樂意獻的可以拿禮物來。 這不是要加在他們頭上的稅，而是樂捐或自願的奉獻，為要暗示我們：（1）神沒有把我們的軛弄得很重。他是不以賦稅加重百姓負擔的君王，也不使他們為奴僕服事，而是用人的繩索牽引他們，任由我們自己判斷甚麼是合理的；他的政權無可抱怨之處，因他不用嚴厲轄管。（2）神喜愛樂意施捨的人，最喜悅甘心祭。那些出於甘心樂意的百姓甘心奉獻的事奉，是他所悅納的（詩一百一十3）。
2. 凡有技術的人都當做工：你們中間凡心裏有智慧的都要來做（出三十五10）。看神如何各樣地分賜恩賜；各人要照所得的恩賜彼此服事（彼前四10）。富足的人要奉獻材料來加工；靈巧的人要以巧思事奉會幕；他們彼此需要，會幕也需要他們兩者（林前十二7-21）。當有些人以財力相助、有些人以雙手相助，兩者都存甘心樂意的心時，工程必能順利進行。摩西既已告訴他們當獻上甚麼（出三十五5-9），也就給了他們當做之物的概要（出三十五11-19），好使他們看見面前的工程何等浩大，就越發奮勇地投入，人人動手；這也使他們對所設計的建築有了一個概念，不能不渴望看見它早日完工。
英文原文
Orders Concerning the Tabernacle (1491 BC)
¹ And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said unto them, These are the words which the LORD hath commanded, that ye should do them.
² Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.
³ Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day.
⁴ And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying,
⁵ Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass,
⁶ And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,
⁷ And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood,
⁸ And oil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for the sweet incense,
⁹ And onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod, and for the breastplate.
¹⁰ And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that the LORD hath commanded;
¹¹ The tabernacle, his tent, and his covering, his taches, and his boards, his bars, his pillars, and his sockets,
¹² The ark, and the staves thereof, with the mercy seat, and the vail of the covering,
¹³ The table, and his staves, and all his vessels, and the showbread,
¹⁴ The candlestick also for the light, and his furniture, and his lamps, with the oil for the light,
¹⁵ And the incense altar, and his staves, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the door at the entering in of the tabernacle,
¹⁶ The altar of burnt offering, with his brazen grate, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,
¹⁷ The hangings of the court, his pillars, and their sockets, and the hanging for the door of the court,
¹⁸ The pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of the court, and their cords,
¹⁹ The cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office.
It was said in general (Ex 34:32), Moses gave them in commandment all that the Lord has spoken with him. But, the erecting and furnishing of the tabernacle being the work to which they were now immediately to apply themselves, there is particular mention of the orders given concerning it.
I. All the congregation is summoned to attend (Ex 35:1); that is, the heads and rulers of the congregation, the representatives of the several tribes, who must receive instructions from Moses as he had received them from the Lord, and must communicate them to the people. Thus John, being commanded to write to the seven churches what had been revealed to him, writes it to the angels, or ministers, of the churches.
II. Moses gave them in charge all that (and that only) which God had commanded him; thus he approved himself faithful both to God and Israel, between whom he was a messenger or mediator. If he had added, altered, or diminished, he would have been false to both. But, both sides having reposed a trust in him, he was true to the trust; yet he was faithful as a servant only, but Christ as a Son, Heb 3:5,6.
III. He begins with the law of the sabbath, because that was much insisted on in the instructions he had received (Ex 35:2,3): Six days shall work be done, work for the tabernacle, the work of the day that was now to be done in its day; and they had little else to do here in the wilderness, where they had neither husbandry nor merchandise, neither food to get nor clothes to make: but on the seventh day you must not strike a stroke, no, not at the tabernacle-work; the honour of the sabbath was above that of the sanctuary, more ancient and more lasting; that must be to you a holy day, devoted to God, and not be spent in common business. It is a sabbath of rest. It is a sabbath of sabbaths (so some read it), more honourable and excellent than any of the other feasts, and should survive them all. A sabbath of sabbatism, so others read it, being typical of that sabbatism or rest, both spiritual and eternal, which remains for the people of God, Heb 4:9. It is a sabbath of rest, that is, in which a rest from all worldly labour must be very carefully and strictly observed. It is a sabbath and a little sabbath, so some of the Jews would have it read; not only observing the whole day as a sabbath, but an hour before the beginning of it, and an hour after the ending of it, which they throw in over and above out of their own time, and call a little sabbath, to show how glad they are of the approach of the sabbath and how loth to part with it. It is a sabbath of rest, but it is rest to the Lord, to whose honour it must be devoted. A penalty is here annexed to the breach of it: Whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death. Also a particular prohibition of kindling fires on the sabbath day for any servile work, as smith's work, or plumbers, etc.
IV. He orders preparation to be made for the setting up of the tabernacle. Two things were to be done:—
1. All that were able must contribute: Take you from among you an offering, Ex 35:5. The tabernacle was to be dedicated to the honour of God, and used in his service; and therefore what was brought for the setting up and furnishing of that was an offering to the Lord. Our goodness extends not to God, but what is laid out for the support of his kingdom and interest among men he is pleased to accept as an offering to himself; and he requires such acknowledgements of our receiving our all from him and such instances of our dedicating our all to him. The rule is, Whosoever is of a willing heart let him bring. It was not to be a tax imposed upon them, but a benevolence or voluntary contribution, to intimate to us, (1.) That God has not made our yoke heavy. He is a prince that does not burden his subjects with taxes, nor make them to serve with an offering, but draws with the cords of a man, and leaves it to ourselves to judge what is right; his is a government that there is no cause to complain of, for he does not rule with rigour. (2.) That God loves a cheerful giver, and is best pleased with the free-will offering. Those services are acceptable to him that come from the willing heart of a willing people, Ps 110:3.
2. All that were skilful must work: Every wise-hearted among you shall come, and make, Ex 35:10. See how God dispenses his gifts variously; and, as every man hath received the gift, so he must minister, 1Pe 4:10. Those that were rich must bring in materials to work on; those that were ingenious must serve the tabernacle with their ingenuity; as they needed one another, so the tabernacle needed them both, 1Co 12:7-21. The work was likely to go on when some helped with their purses, others with their hands, and both with a willing heart. Moses, as he had told them what must be given (Ex 35:5-9), so he gives them the general heads of what must be made (Ex 35:11-19), that, seeing how much work was before them, they might apply themselves to it the more vigorously, and every hand might be busy; and it gave them such an idea of the fabric designed that they could not but long to see it finished.
20-35
The Contributions for the Tabernacle (1491 BC)
為會幕奉獻（主前1491年）
²⁰ 以色列全會眾從摩西面前退去。
²¹ 凡心裏受感和甘心樂意的都拿耶和華的禮物來，用以做會幕和其中一切的使用，又要做聖衣。
²² 凡心裏樂意獻禮物的，連男帶女，各將金器，就是胸前鍼、耳環、打印的戒指，和手釧帶來獻給耶和華。
²³ 凡有藍色、紫色、朱紅色線，細麻，山羊毛，染紅的公羊皮，海狗皮的，都拿了來。
²⁴ 凡獻銀子和銅給耶和華為禮物的都拿了來；凡有皂莢木可做甚麼使用的也拿了來。
²⁵ 凡心中有智慧的婦女親手紡線，把所紡的藍色、紫色、朱紅色線，和細麻都拿了來。
²⁶ 凡有智慧、心裏受感的婦女就紡山羊毛。
²⁷ 眾官長把紅瑪瑙和可以鑲嵌的寶石，為以弗得和胸牌拿來，
²⁸ 又拿香料做香，拿油點燈，做膏油，做馨香的香。
²⁹ 以色列人無論男女，凡甘心樂意獻禮物給耶和華的，都將禮物拿來，做耶和華藉摩西所吩咐的一切工。
摩西既已向他們傳明了神的旨意，他們就回家，立即實行所聽見的道（出三十五20）。但願每一個會眾離開聽道之處時，都滿心決志要成為行道的人！此處請留意，
I. 為會幕事奉而獻上的禮物（出三十五21等），其中有許多可注意之處。1. 經文暗示他們立即獻上禮物；他們隨即回到帳棚去取禮物，不要求時間考慮，免得因遲延而冷淡了熱心。神使我們知罪並呼召我們去做的本分，我們當立即着手去做。沒有比眼前更合宜的時候了。2. 經上說他們心靈甘心樂意（出三十五21），他們的心也如此（出三十五29）。他們所做的是出於甘心，也是出於好的原則。他們樂意，不是任何外在的誘因使之如此，而是他們的心靈。他們樂意奉獻，是出於對神和他事奉的愛、對他在他律例中同在的渴望、對他所成就之大事的感恩、對他將要進一步成就之應許的信心（至少是出於對這些事的當下思想）。我們為神所獻所做的，若出於心中和靈裏的好原則，才是蒙悅納的。3. 經上說凡甘心樂意的人都獻上了禮物（出三十五22），看來似乎有些人並不如此——他們愛自己的金子過於愛自己的神，不肯捨棄，就是不為會幕的事奉也捨不得。確有這樣的人，他們被稱為以色列人，卻不肯因這事的公平、神對他們的期望、以及周圍人的好榜樣而為神的國度捨棄任何東西：他們擁護真信仰，只要它廉價、不花代價就行。4. 禮物品類繁多，各按所有而獻；有金子和寶石的人就帶來，不以為任何東西太好、太貴重而不肯為神的榮耀捨棄。沒有寶石可獻的人就帶山羊毛和公羊皮。我們若不能為神做別人那麼多，也不可因此坐著不動、甚麼也不做：我們按著力量所獻的較微薄的祭物，雖然不能在人中間為我們贏得那樣的聲譽，卻不會在神那裏失去悅納——他是照人所有的，並不是照人所無的（林後八12；王下五23）。窮寡婦的兩個小錢比財主許多他連得更蒙悅納。神看重的，是獻者的心過於禮物的價值。5. 他們所獻的許多是自己的飾物——手釧、戒指、打印的戒指或盒墜（出三十五22）；連婦女也捨得獻上這些。女子怎能忘記她的妝飾呢？ 她們忘記妝飾到這個地步——她們寧可裝飾聖所，過於裝飾自己。這教導我們：當神呼召時，我們當為神捨棄那對我們極其親愛、我們所看重、並引以為傲的東西；特別是當我們的妝飾或得罪別人、或助長自己的驕傲時，我們當放下妝飾、在其中克己。我們若認為聖經關於衣著的規則太嚴（提前二9-10；彼前三3-4），恐怕我們就難以像這些以色列人那樣行了。他們若認為自己的妝飾花在會幕上是值得的，我們豈不當認為缺少妝飾可以由聖靈的恩典來補足嗎？（箴一9）。6. 他們所獻的這些豐富之物，我們可以推想大多是從埃及人那裏得來的擄物；因為以色列人在埃及被保持在貧窮中，直到離開時才借取。我們也可以推想官長有更好的東西（出三十五27），因為他們在埃及人中間更有影響力，所借的更多。誰能想到埃及的財富竟會如此善用呢？但神常常這樣使地幫助婦人（啟十二16）。以色列人得這一切擄物，是出於神特別的護理和應許；因此他們理當將其中一部分獻給那位他們一切所虧欠的神的事奉。各人要照神的厚恩奉獻（林前十六2）。非常的成功當以非常的奉獻來承認。這也可應用於人的學問、藝術和科學——這些彷彿是從埃及人那裏借來的。因這些而富足的人當將之獻給神和他會幕的事奉：這些可作為理解聖經的幫助、作為神學的裝飾或輔助。但那時必須十分小心，埃及的神不可與埃及的金子攙雜。摩西雖然學了埃及人的一切學問，卻不因此就以為可在最小的細節上更改在山上所指示他的樣式。以埃及的財富來陳設會幕，對外邦人或許是個好兆頭——日期滿足之時，他們將被帶進福音的會幕，也帶著他們的金銀而來（賽六十9），並要說：埃及我的百姓有福了（賽十九25）。7. 我們可以推想，為金牛犢所獻之物的記憶，使他們在這次奉獻中更加踴躍。那時摘下耳環的人，如今要以其餘的首飾獻給神的事奉，以此表明悔改：敬虔的憂愁就產生這樣的憤恨（林後七11）。而那些保守自己不沾染那拜偶像之罪的人，也在心裏對自己說：「他們為偶像奉獻如此踴躍，我們為耶和華獻祭豈可退縮或吝嗇嗎？」如此，連那惡也帶出了一點善。
II. 為會幕事奉所做的工（出三十五25）：婦女親手紡線。 有的紡細工，用藍色和紫色；有的紡粗工，用山羊毛，然而她們所做的也被稱為在智慧中所做的（出三十五26）。神所悅納的，不僅是豐富的禮物，也不僅是精細的工。此處記下了婦女為神所做的善工，與比撒列和亞何利亞伯的一樣。為神的榮耀而獻的最卑微的手，必得尊貴的報償。馬利亞膏基督的頭要被傳為記念（太二十六13）；在福音會幕中勞碌的婦女也被記錄在案（腓四3），她們是在基督耶穌裏與保羅同工的（羅十六3）。才德的婦人的一個特徵就是她手拿撚線竿（箴三十一19）。這手藝在此被用在敬虔的事上，如今仍可如此——雖然我們不必為會幕製作帷子——正如多加那樣效法她的慈善，為貧窮的寡婦做裏衣外衣（徒九39）。連那些沒有能力用金錢施捨的人，也可以用勞動來施捨；這樣，窮人可以救濟窮人，那些除了四肢和感官之外一無所有的人，也可以在愛心的勞碌中十分慷慨。
³⁰ 摩西對以色列人說：「猶大支派，戶珥的孫子、烏利的兒子比撒列，耶和華已經提他的名召他，
³¹ 又以神的靈充滿了他，使他有智慧、有聰明、有知識，能做各樣的工，
³² 能想出巧工，用金、銀、銅製造各物，
³³ 又能刻寶石，可以鑲嵌，能雕刻木頭，能做各樣的巧工。
³⁴ 耶和華又使他和但支派亞希撒抹的兒子亞何利亞伯，心裏靈明，能教導人。
³⁵ 耶和華使他們的心滿有智慧，能做各樣的工，無論是雕刻的工，巧匠的工，用藍色、紫色、朱紅色線，和細麻繡花的工，並機匠的工，都能做，也能想出奇巧的工。」
這裏是工匠首領的屬天任命，免得有人為職分爭競，也使一切受僱做工的人都可以從這些總監工那裏領受指示、向他們交帳；因為神是秩序的神，不是混亂的神。請留意：1. 神按名召來事奉的人，他以神的靈充滿他們，裝備他們（出三十五30-31）。世俗技能中的本領是神的恩賜，從上頭來的（雅一17）。才能是從他而來，才能的長進也是。因此一切知識都當獻給他為榮，我們當研究如何用知識事奉他。比撒列被指定所做的工是非同尋常的，因此他以非同尋常的方式被裝備；照樣，當使徒被任命為建造福音會幕的工匠時，他們也被以神的靈充滿，有智慧、有聰明。2. 他們被任命不僅要設計，還要動手做（出三十五32），做各樣的工（出三十五35）。那些恩賜卓越、有能力指揮別人的人，不可以為這些能成為他們遊手好閒的藉口。許多人很會為別人安排工作，會說這人該做甚麼、那人該做甚麼，但他們綁在別人肩上的擔子，自己連一根指頭也不肯動。這等人必落在懶惰僕人的名號之下。3. 他們不僅要自己設計和做工，還要教導別人（出三十五34）。比撒列不僅有權柄命令，還要費心教導。治理的人當教導；神賜了知識的人當樂意傳授，使別人得益，不當獨佔不肯分享。
英文原文
The Contributions for the Tabernacle (1491 BC)
²⁰ And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.
²¹ And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.
²² And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the LORD.
²³ And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair, and red skins of rams, and badgers' skins, brought them.
²⁴ Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the LORD's offering: and every man, with whom was found shittim wood for any work of the service, brought it.
²⁵ And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen.
²⁶ And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' hair.
²⁷ And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate;
²⁸ And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.
²⁹ The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.
Moses having made known to them the will of God, they went home and immediately put in practice what they had heard, Ex 35:20. O that every congregation would thus depart from the hearing of the word of God, with a full resolution to be doers of the same! Observe here,
I. The offerings that were brought for the service of the tabernacle (Ex 35:21, etc.), concerning which many things may be noted. 1. It is intimated that they brought their offerings immediately; they departed to their tents immediately to fetch their offering, and did not desire time to consider of it, lest their zeal should be cooled by delays. What duty God convinces us of, and calls us to, we should set about speedily. No season will be more convenient than the present season. 2. It is said that their spirits made them willing (Ex 35:21), and their hearts, Ex 35:29. What they did they did cheerfully, and from a good principle. They were willing, and it was not any external inducement that made them so, but their spirits. It was from a principle of love to God and his service, a desire of his presence with them in his ordinances, gratitude for the great things he had done for them, faith in his promise of what he would further do (or, at least, from the present consideration of these things), that they were willing to offer. What we give and do for God is then acceptable when it comes from a good principle in the heart and spirit. 3. When it is said that as many as were willing-hearted brought their offerings (Ex 35:22), it should seem as if there were some who were not, who loved their gold better than their God, and would not part with it, no, not for the service of the tabernacle. Such there are, who will be called Israelites, and yet will not be moved by the equity of the thing, God's expectations from them, and the good examples of those about them, to part with any thing for the interests of God's kingdom: they are for the true religion, provided it be cheap and will cost them nothing. 4. The offerings were of divers kinds, according as they had; those that had gold and precious stones brought them, not thinking any thing too good and too rich to part with for the honour of God. Those that had not precious stones to bring brought goats' hair, and rams' skins. If we cannot do as much as others for God, we must not therefore sit still and do nothing: if the meaner offerings which are according to our ability gain us not such a reputation among men, yet they shall not fail of acceptance with God, who requires according to what a man hath, and not according to what he hath not, 2Co 8:12, 2Ki 5:23. Two mites from a pauper were more pleasing than so many talents from a Dives. God has an eye to the heart of the giver more than to the value of the gift. 5. Many of the things they offered were their ornaments, bracelets and rings, and tablets or lockets (Ex 35:22); and even the women parted with these. Can a maid forget her ornaments? Thus far they forgot them that they preferred the beautifying of the sanctuary before their own adorning. Let this teach us, in general, to part with that for God, when he calls for it, which is very dear to us, which we value, and value ourselves by; and particularly to lay aside our ornaments, and deny ourselves in them, when either they occasion offence to others or feed our own pride. If we think those gospel rules concerning our clothing too strict (1Ti 2:9,10, 1Pe 3:3,4), I fear we should scarcely have done as these Israelites did. If they thought their ornaments well bestowed upon the tabernacle, shall not we think the want of ornaments well made up by the graces of the Spirit? Pr 1:9. 6. These rich things that they offered, we may suppose, were mostly the spoils of the Egyptians; for the Israelites in Egypt were kept poor, till they borrowed at parting. And we may suppose the rulers had better things (Ex 35:27), because, having more influence among the Egyptians, they borrowed larger sums. Who would have thought that ever the wealth of Egypt should have been so well employed? but thus God has often made the earth to help the woman, Re 12:16. It was by a special providence and promise of God that the Israelites got all that spoil, and therefore it was highly fit that they should devote a part of it to the service of that God to whom they owed it all. Let every man give according as God hath prospered him, 1Co 16:2. Extraordinary successes should be acknowledged by extraordinary offerings. Apply it to human learning, arts and sciences, which are borrowed, as it were, from the Egyptians. Those that are enriched with these must devote them to the service of God and his tabernacle: they may be used as helps to understand the scriptures, as ornaments or handmaids to divinity. But then great care must be taken that Egypt's gods mingle not with Egypt's gold. Moses, though learned in all the learning of the Egyptians, did not therefore pretend, in the least instance, to correct the pattern shown him in the mount. The furnishing of the tabernacle with the riches of Egypt was perhaps a good omen to the Gentiles, who, in the fulness of time, should be brought into the gospel tabernacle, and their silver and their gold with them (Isa 60:9), and it should be said, Blessed be Egypt my people, Isa 19:25. 7. We may suppose that the remembrance of the offerings made for the golden calf made them the more forward in these offerings. Those that had then parted with their ear-rings would not testify their repentance by giving the rest of their jewels to the service of God: godly sorrow worketh such a revenge, 2Co 7:11. And those that had kept themselves pure from that idolatry yet argued with themselves, "Were they so forward in contributing to an idol, and shall we be backward or sneaking in our offerings to the Lord?" Thus some good was brought even out of that evil.
II. The work that was done for the service of the tabernacle (Ex 35:25): The women did spin with their hands. Some spun fine work, of blue and purple; others coarse work, of goats' hair, and yet theirs also is said to be done in wisdom, Ex 35:26. As it is not only rich gifts, so it is not only fine work that God accepts. Notice is here taken of the good women's work for God, as well as of Bezaleel's and Aholiab's. The meanest hand for the honour of God, shall have an honourable recompence. Mary's anointing of Christ's head shall be told for a memorial (Mt 26:13); and a record is kept of the women that laboured in the gospel tabernacle (Php 4:3), and were helpers to Paul in Christ Jesus, Ro 16:3. It is part of the character of the virtuous woman that she layeth her hands to the spindle, Pr 31:19. This employment was here turned to a pious use, as it may be still (though we have no hangings to make for the tabernacle) by the imitation of the charity of Dorcas, who made coats and garments for poor widows, Ac 9:39. Even those that are not in a capacity to give in charity may yet work in charity; and thus the poor may relieve the poor, and those that have nothing but their limbs and senses may be very charitable in the labour of love.
³⁰ And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;
³¹ And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;
³² And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
³³ And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.
³⁴ And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.
³⁵ Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.
Here is the divine appointment of the master-workmen, that there might be no strife for the office, and that all who were employed in the work might take direction from, and give account to, these general inspectors; for God is the God of order and not of confusion. Observe, 1. Those whom God called by name to this service he filled with the Spirit of God, to qualify them for it, Ex 35:30,31. Skill in secular employments is God's gift, and comes from above, Jam 1:17. From him the faculty is, and the improvement of it. To his honour therefore all knowledge must be devoted, and we must study how to serve him with it. The work was extraordinary which Bezaleel was designed for, and therefore he was qualified in an extraordinary manner for it; thus when the apostles were appointed to be master-builders in setting up the gospel tabernacle they were filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom and understanding. 2. The were appointed, not only to devise, but to work (Ex 35:32), to work all manner of work, Ex 35:35. Those of eminent gifts, that are capable of directing others, must not think that these will excuse them in idleness. Many are ingenious enough in cutting out work for other people, and can tell what this man and that man should do, but the burdens they bind on others they themselves will not touch with one of their fingers. These will fall under the character of slothful servants. 3. They were not only to devise and work themselves, but they were to teach others, Ex 35:34. Not only had Bezaleel power to command, but he was to take pains to instruct. Those that rule should teach; and those to whom God had given knowledge should be willing to communicate it for the benefit of others, not coveting to monopolize it.
若不是金牛犢打亂了計畫、使一切陷入混亂，摩西頭一次從山下來時本該說的話、本該做的事，如今在好不容易恢復了和好之後，終於開始說了、開始做了；設立神敬拜這件大事，又重新回到原來的軌道上，如今毫無阻攔地進行。一、摩西把從神所領受、需要立即遵守的指示告訴以色列：1. 關乎安息日，出 35:1-3。2. 關乎為建造會幕當獻的供物，出 35:4-9。3. 關乎會幕及其器具的建造，出 35:10-19。二、百姓把供物拿來，出 35:20-29。三、工頭被選立，出 35:30-35 等。