Exodus 36:2-7 The People Give More than Enough
2 Then Moses called Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whose heart the Lord had put wisdom, everyone whose heart was stirred, to come and do the work. 3 And they received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of making the sanctuary. So they continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning. 4 Then all the craftsmen who were doing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work he was doing, 5 and they spoke to Moses, saying, “The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which the Lord commanded us to do.”
6 So Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, “Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary.” And the people were restrained from bringing, 7 for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done—indeed too much.
If you have ever been involved in fund-raising for any cause, you know the problems. You present the needs, and everybody applauds. People respond enthusiastically and make extravagant promises…until it’s time to fulfill the promises. Suddenly, people develop very bad memories. Experienced fund raisers know that they must have several budgets, including a budget allowing for all donations as well as a budget that allows for varying degrees of revenue. Such planning is not a matter of faithlessness but of realistic thinking.
When Jesus was teaching his disciples, he warned them to count the cost of discipleship. Luke 14:25-33 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
If we fail to count costs, we are setting ourselves up for disaster as well as profound embarrassment. Missionaries presenting needs to congregations find themselves struggling to ensure that they have represented needs responsibly so projects will be completed successfully, even when promised funding fails to materialize. Such disappointing experiences make the account recorded in Exodus 36:2-7 even more remarkable. The same Israelites who have previously proved faithless and unreliable are so stirred that they persist in bringing daily free will offerings. Nobody is sitting back in their tents, clutching that gorgeous Egyptian material and jewelry and resenting Moses for his requests. Nobody is competing so that others will applaud and praise them. Each morning, as Moses and the artisans report to the donation site, a long line stretches out through the camp comprised of people bearing the most precious things they have in their tents. Those who have already donated see what others are giving and return to bring even more. The Spirit of the Lord is moving, the same Spirit that sends rain on the just and the unjust, the same Spirit who has provided food and water for two million people in the wilderness. And under the influence of the Holy Spirit, the Israelites truly believe that no sacrifice is too much.
I like to think that later, when Moses is reflecting on everything that has happened during the journey through the wilderness, the days of these collections will remain as glorious memories. What happens to the Israelites that they become so generous? God, the God of abundance, is moving in the hearts of the people. But there’s also another principle at work.
God has ordered His people to give their first fruits as an act of obedience and faith. Now God is asking these same people to freely offer the treasures they have received from the Egyptians, trusting that God can give even more. Jesus tells us in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
This teaching is one of the foundational teachings about the Kingdom of God, and yet, there’s more to learn. For when we give what we can, God gives us more than we have given in the first place. Exodus 39 tells us what happened once the Israelites had completed creating everything for the Tabernacle and the priestly garments. Exodus 39:42 According to all that the Lord had commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work. 43 Then Moses looked over all the work, and indeed they had done it; as the Lord had commanded, just so they had done it. And Moses blessed them.
What happens when we enjoy the blessing of the Lord? An AI search reveals the following:
The blessing of the Lord signifies divine favor and well-being. It represents a central theme in the Bible, often associated with prosperity, protection, and spiritual enrichment bestowed upon individuals, families, and nations. This blessing is typically linked to obedience to God’s commandments and living a righteous life, reflecting a relationship of faithfulness with God.
Key Aspects
- Divine Favor: The blessing indicates God’s goodwill and support in various aspects of life.
- Prosperity and Well-Being: It encompasses not just material wealth but also spiritual and emotional health.
- Obedience and Faithfulness: Receiving God’s blessings often requires adherence to His teachings and commandments.
Biblical Context
- The Hebrew word for “bless” implies kneeling in worship, emphasizing reverence and acknowledgment of God’s greatness.
- Blessings are seen as declarations of God’s inherent goodness and a wish for His favor.
By their generosity, the Israelites unlocked God’s favor and abundance. And no matter how much we give, God can give far more than we ever can. Truly, God is the God of “Too much.”
Are you struggling financially or in other areas today? Ask God what He wants you to give Him and then obey. You will find that God can do “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” as it says in Ephesians 3:20. May God help you to rest in His Love and trust that the God of Too Much will supply your needs as you give to Him and obey.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to give when You ask, trusting that You will provide exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.” In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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