Esodo 36:3 Commento

In this chapter, I. The work of the tabernacle is begun (Exo 36:1-4). II. A stop is put to the people's contributions (Exo 36:5-7). III. A particular account is given of the making of the tabernacle itself; the fine curtains of it (Exo 36:8-13). The coarse ones (Exo 36:14-19). The boards (Exo 36:20-30). The bars (Exo 36:31-34). The partition veil (Exo 36:35, Exo 36:36). And the hanging for the door (Exo 36:37, etc.).

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 36 Bezaleel and Aholiab, with the artificers under them, having a call as well as qualifications for the service of the sanctuary, and having received from Moses the materials for it, set about it, Exo 36:1 but the people bringing more than was necessary, they acquaint Moses with it, who by a proclamation restrained from it, Exo 36:4 and next an account is given of the several things that were wrought by them, as first the curtains for the tabernacle, both of linen and goats' hair, and the coverings of them, Exo 36:8 next the boards for the tabernacle, and the sockets they were set in, and the bars for the boards, Exo 36:20 and then the vail which parted the most holy place from the holy place, and the hanging which divided between the holy place and the court, Exo 36:35.

And they received of Moses all the offering,.... That is, Bezaleel and Aholiab received it of him, who delivered it to the several workmen, as the nature of their work required, some one thing, and some another: to some gold, to others silver, to others brass, and to some they delivered out fine linen, and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and to others shittim wood; Moses gave all out faithfully that he received, and kept back nothing for his own use or private advantage, even all the above things of which the offering consisted: which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal; and which perhaps they went and fetched the same day they were called together, and acquainted with the mind of God concerning it; or at least they brought it in a very short space of time, and as soon as it possibly could be; it was delivered to the workmen, that the work might be begun, and carried on with the utmost expedition: and they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning; they continued for a course of time afterwards to bring their freewill offerings of one thing or another to Moses, every morning, which perhaps was the most suitable time for him to receive them; and best expresses their readiness and diligence in bringing them, and which, as they brought, he sent to the workmen, as appears by what follows.

Moses appoints Bezaleel, Aholiab, and their associates, to the work, and delivers to them the free-will offerings of the people, Exo 36:1-3. The people bring offerings more than are needed for the work, and are only restrained by the proclamation of Moses, Exo 36:4-7. The curtains, their loops, taches, etc., for the tabernacle, Exo 36:8-18. The covering for the tent, Exo 36:19. The boards, Exo 36:20-30. The bars, Exo 36:31-34. The veil and its pillars, Exo 36:35, Exo 36:36. The hangings and their pillars, Exo 36:37, Exo 36:38.

OFFERINGS DELIVERED TO THE WORKMEN. (Exo. 36:1-38) Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise-hearted man, &c.--Here is an illustrious example of zeal and activity in the work of the Lord. No unnecessary delay was allowed to take place; and from the moment the first pole was stuck in the ground till the final completion of the sacred edifice, he and his associates labored with all the energies both of mind and body engaged in the work. And what was the mainspring of their arduous and untiring diligence? They could be actuated by none of the ordinary motives that give impulse to human industry, by no desire for the acquisition of gain; no ambition for honor; no view of gratifying a mere love of power in directing the labors of a large body of men. They felt the stimulus--the strong irresistible impulse of higher and holier motives--obedience to the authority, zeal for the glory, and love to the service of God.

they (the workmen) received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought, &c.--It appears that the building was begun after the first few contributions were made; it was progressively carried on, and no necessity occurred to suspend operations even for the shortest interval, from want of the requisite materials. they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning, &c.--Moses, in common with other Oriental magistrates, had his morning levees for receiving the people (see on Exo 18:13); and it was while he was performing his magisterial duties that the people brought unto him freewill offerings every morning. Some who had nothing but their manual labor to give would spend a great part of the night in hastening to complete their self-imposed task before the early dawn; others might find their hearts constrained by silent meditations on their beds to open their coffers and give a part of their hoarded treasure to the pious object. All whose hearts were touched by piety, penitence, or gratitude, repaired with eager haste into the presence of Moses, not as heretofore, to have their controversies settled, but to lay on his tribunal their contributions to the sanctuary of God (Co2 9:7).

Moses then summoned the master-builders named, and all who were skilled in art, "every one whom his heart lifted up to come near to the work to do it" (i.e., who felt himself stirred up in heart to take part in the work), and handed over to them the heaven-offering presented by the people for that purpose, whilst the children of Israel still continued bringing freewill-offerings every morning.