Question 1

What is the main message of this passage about the tabernacle and giving?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows how God’s people respond when He gives clear commands. First, God reminds them that His rest comes before their work, even holy work. Then Moses invites everyone with a willing heart to bring gifts and skills to build the tabernacle, the place where God will live among them. Men and women, leaders and ordinary people, all join in. Some bring gold and fine cloth, others bring wood or spin yarn, and skilled workers use their hands. The main message is that God wants obedient rest, willing hearts, and every gift used for His worship.

Question 2

Why does Moses talk about the Sabbath before the work on the tabernacle?

Accepted Answer

Moses starts with the Sabbath to show that God’s command to rest is not set aside, even for very important work like building the tabernacle. The people are told they may work six days, but the seventh day is holy to the Lord. No fire is to be kindled and anyone who works is under a death sentence. This makes clear that worship begins with trusting God enough to stop and rest as He says. Their service and giving for the tabernacle must flow out of a life that first honors God’s rhythm of work and rest.

Question 3

What does it mean that the offering had to come from a willing heart?

Accepted Answer

When Moses says, “whoever is of a willing heart,” he shows that God is not asking for forced gifts. The people are free to stay in their tents or to come and give. Those whose hearts are stirred and whose spirits are made willing bring gold, silver, cloth, wood, oil, and stones. Others offer their skills, spinning and crafting. The value is not just in the size of the gift but in the readiness to give it. This teaches that God delights in gifts that come from love and gratitude, not fear or pressure.

Question 4

Who are Bezaleel and Aholiab, and what did God do in them?

Accepted Answer

Bezaleel and Aholiab are two men God chose by name to lead the work on the tabernacle. Bezaleel is from the tribe of Judah, and Aholiab is from the tribe of Dan. God filled them with the Spirit of God, giving them wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and skill in many kinds of craft. They can work with gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, and also teach others. Their example shows that skill for God’s work is not just natural talent. God Himself gives the ability so that His house is built as He wants.

Question 5

How did women take part in the work for the tabernacle in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Women are clearly involved and honored in this passage. It says that all the wise-hearted women spun with their hands and brought what they had spun in blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen. Other women whose hearts stirred them up in wisdom spun goat’s hair, which was used for the tent coverings. Some women also brought their ornaments, like bracelets and earrings, as offerings. This shows that women were not on the sidelines. Their gifts, skills, and sacrifices were welcomed and needed in the worship life of God’s people.

Question 6

What kinds of things did the Israelites bring for the tabernacle?

Accepted Answer

The people brought a wide range of things. Some brought precious metals like gold, silver, and brass. Others brought blue, purple, and scarlet cloth, fine linen, goat’s hair, rams’ skins dyed red, and other skins. There was shittim wood for furniture, oil for the lamps, spices for anointing oil and incense, and onyx stones and other jewels for the priest’s garments. Leaders brought special stones and spices, women spun yarn, and craftsmen offered their skill. Every type of gift, from costly jewelry to hard work, was useful in God’s plan.

Question 7

What does this passage show about God’s character and how He works with His people?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that God is orderly, holy, and near. He cares about how His people work and rest, so He starts with the Sabbath command. He wants a dwelling place among them, so He gives detailed plans for the tabernacle. Yet He does not build it alone or by angels. He stirs hearts, provides wealth, and fills people with wisdom and skill so they can serve. God values both the willing giver and the wise worker, and He weaves the whole community together in shared worship and obedience.

Question 8

What was happening in Israel’s story when Moses gave these commands?

Accepted Answer

These commands come after a dark time, when the people had made a golden calf and turned away from God. After judgment and mercy, God renews His covenant with them. Now Moses gathers everyone to restart the work God first described on the mountain. Instead of using their gold for an idol, they now use it for God’s house. This shift from rebellion to obedience, from misused ornaments to willing offerings, marks a fresh beginning where the whole camp turns its energy toward true worship.

Question 9

How can this passage about offerings and skills apply to my life today?

Accepted Answer

This passage invites you to see your time, money, and abilities as coming from God and meant for Him. It reminds you that God cares about your rhythm of work and rest, so honoring Him includes keeping space for worship and stopping when He says. It also shows that no gift is too small: some brought jewels, others spun yarn, others carved wood or taught. You can ask, “What has God put in my hand and in my heart?” Then, like Israel, you can offer it back freely for His service.

Exodus 35:1

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.

The Sabbath

Offerings for the Tabernacle

The Skilled Craftsmen

The People Offer Gifts

Bezalel and Oholiab

The Sabbath

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Exodus 35:1

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.

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The Sabbath

Offerings for the Tabernacle

The Skilled Craftsmen

The People Offer Gifts

Bezalel and Oholiab

The Sabbath

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