22 February 2014
Exodus 35
Psalms 92; 93
1 Corinthians 4; 5
"WHO WERE OF A WILLING HEART"
The way the valuable things and material needed in the construction of the tabernacle in the wilderness were obtained is very instructive: much gold and silver and precious stones were required.
The Israelites had been told by the LORD through Moses before they left Egypt to “ask every man of his neighbour and every woman of her neighbour, for silver and gold jewellery. And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians.” [Exodus 11:2,3]
The reason for this now becomes clear; we read how all the gold, jewellery, precious stones, &c needed in the tabernacle - following the divine directions - were to be obtained. It was not by a levy or tax on those who possessed them! We read today [Exodus 35] that Moses said, “Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the LORD’s contribution: gold, silver and bronze; blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen …” [Exodus 35:4-6]
“Then all the congregation … departed from the presence of Moses. And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, everyone whose spirit moved him (or her), and brought …” [Exodus 35:20,21] The result was quite dramatic, “so they came, both men and women, all who were of a willing heart …” [Exodus 35:22]
This was no tithe, not in any sense, tithing came later: the practise of tithing established under the law is often misunderstood by some ‘christian’ leaders. The tithe God instituted under Moses was really a tax on the nation for the running of the nation by the Levites. Their role was extensive; instituting and operating health laws and supervising them, being, in a sense, policemen, doctors, nurses and so on.
The lesson for us is that in all avenues of life God is looking for “everyone whose heart stirs them” to give from their possessions (and time) in serving Him and his Son. The New Testament makes this principle plain. What is your heart stirring you to do?
-------
- DC
Thought for the Day
22 February 2014
"We may project our vision forward, and see the Son of Man as he "comes with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also who pierced him: and all tribes of the earth shall wail because of him." (Revelation 1:7) As we do, we may well consider that those whose citizenship is in heaven will not then wail; they will rejoice in the salvation then revealed. We may take our vision forward again, and once more stand beside John as he watches "the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven"; (Revelation 21:2) and hear the declaration, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God". (Revelation 21:3)"
- C.E. Hinde
Blessed Are Your Eyes (1984)
Exodus 35
Psalms 92; 93
1 Corinthians 4; 5
"WHO WERE OF A WILLING HEART"
The way the valuable things and material needed in the construction of the tabernacle in the wilderness were obtained is very instructive: much gold and silver and precious stones were required.
The Israelites had been told by the LORD through Moses before they left Egypt to “ask every man of his neighbour and every woman of her neighbour, for silver and gold jewellery. And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians.” [Exodus 11:2,3]
The reason for this now becomes clear; we read how all the gold, jewellery, precious stones, &c needed in the tabernacle - following the divine directions - were to be obtained. It was not by a levy or tax on those who possessed them! We read today [Exodus 35] that Moses said, “Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the LORD’s contribution: gold, silver and bronze; blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen …” [Exodus 35:4-6]
“Then all the congregation … departed from the presence of Moses. And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, everyone whose spirit moved him (or her), and brought …” [Exodus 35:20,21] The result was quite dramatic, “so they came, both men and women, all who were of a willing heart …” [Exodus 35:22]
This was no tithe, not in any sense, tithing came later: the practise of tithing established under the law is often misunderstood by some ‘christian’ leaders. The tithe God instituted under Moses was really a tax on the nation for the running of the nation by the Levites. Their role was extensive; instituting and operating health laws and supervising them, being, in a sense, policemen, doctors, nurses and so on.
The lesson for us is that in all avenues of life God is looking for “everyone whose heart stirs them” to give from their possessions (and time) in serving Him and his Son. The New Testament makes this principle plain. What is your heart stirring you to do?
-------
- DC
Thought for the Day
22 February 2014
"We may project our vision forward, and see the Son of Man as he "comes with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also who pierced him: and all tribes of the earth shall wail because of him." (Revelation 1:7) As we do, we may well consider that those whose citizenship is in heaven will not then wail; they will rejoice in the salvation then revealed. We may take our vision forward again, and once more stand beside John as he watches "the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven"; (Revelation 21:2) and hear the declaration, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God". (Revelation 21:3)"
- C.E. Hinde
Blessed Are Your Eyes (1984)
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