Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Exodus
Book: Exodus
Chapter: 35
Overview:
The
Sabbath to be observed.
(1-3) The free
Gifts for the
Tabernacle.
(4-19) The readiness of the people in general.
(20-29) Bezaleel and
Aholiab called to the work.
(30-35)
1-3 The mild and easy
Yoke of
Christ has made our
Sabbath
duties more delightful, and our
Sabbath restraints less irksome,
than those of the Jews; but we are the more guilty
By neglecting
them. Surely
God's
Wisdom in giving us the
Sabbath, with all the
Mercy of its purposes, are sinfully disregarded. Is it nothing
to pour contempt upon the blessed
Day, which a bounteous
God has
given to us for our growth in
Grace with the
Church below, and
to prepare us for happiness with the
Church above?
4-19 The
Tabernacle was to be dedicated to the honour of
God,
and used in his service; and therefore what was brought for it,
was an
Offering to the
Lord. The rule is, Whosoever is of a
willing
Heart, let him bring. All that were skilful must work.
God dispenses his
Gifts; and as every
Man hath received,
So he
must
Minister, 1Pe 4:10. Those that were rich, must bring in
materials to work
On; those that were skilful, must serve the
Tabernacle with their skill: as they needed one another,
So the
Tabernacle needed them both, 1Co 12:7-21.
20-29 Without a willing mind, costly offerings would be
abhorred; with it, the smallest will be accepted. Our hearts are
willing, when we cheerfully assist in promoting the cause of
God. Those who are diligent and contented in employments
considered mean, are as much accepted of
God as those engaged in
splendid services. The women who spun the goats'
Hair were
Wise-hearted, because they did it heartily to the
Lord. Thus the
labourer, mechanic, or servant who attends to his work in the
Faith and fear of
God, may be as
Wise, for his place, as the
most useful
Minister, and be equally accepted of the
Lord. Our
Wisdom and duty consist in giving
God the
Glory and use of our
talents, be they many or few.
30-35 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 them. Those whom
God called
By name to his service,
he filled with the
Spirit of
God. Skill, even in worldly
employments, is
God's
Gift, and comes from above. But many are
ready enough in
Cutting out work for other people, and can tell
what this
Man or that
Man should do; but the burdens they bind
On others, they themselves will not touch with one of their
fingers. Such will fall under the character of slothful
servants. These men were not only to devise and to work
themselves, but they were to teach others. Those that rule
should teach; and those to whom
God has given knowledge, should
be willing to make it known for the benefit of others.