Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-07-19


nacle of the congregation, and for all his
service, and for the holy garments. %. And
they came, both men aud women, as many
as were willing hearted, and brought brace
let's, and earrings, and rings, and tablets,
all jewels OF gold: and every man that
offered offered an offering OF gold unto the
Lord. %. And every man with whom was
found blue, and purple, and scarlet and hne
linen, and goats hair. and red skins of
rams, and badgers skins brought them,
"a Every one that did offer an Offering OF
silver and brass brought the Lords o1er-
ing: and every man with whom was found
shittim wood for any work of the service,
brought il. %. And all the women that
were wise hearted did spin with their hands,
and brought that which they had spun,
both of blue, and OF purple, and OF scarlet,
and of fine linen % And all the women
whose heart stirred them up in wisdom
spun goats hair. 81 And the rulers brought
ONYX stones, and stones to be set, for the
ephod, and for the breastplate; 2S. And
spice and oil for the light and for the an
Mounting oil, and for sweetincense. -. The
children of Israel brought willing Offering
unto the Lord, every man and woman,
whose heart made them willing TO bring for
all manner of work, which the Lord had
commanded TO be made by the hand OF
Moses.
GOLDEN TExT.-God loveth a cheerful
giver.
The time of the lesson is in the autumn
following Israeps departure from Egypt.
The law was promulgated from Sinai 80
days after the first passover; Moses was
in tho mount 40 days and returning found
the people in idolatry. Again he assembled
Sinai and was gone another forty days and
when he returned his face shone with the
glory in which he had participated. With
his heart on fire with zeal and his lips in
11als Ia
together and impressed upon them observ-
ance of Sabbath Of rest and worship and
the Importance of a sanctuary; the service
which he demanded being voluntary.
LESSON NOTES.
V. 20. And the children Of Israel depart
ed from Moses at the close of the great
mass meeting, to consider his words and
mediate upon their obligations, in view of
what they had heard A small tax had
been levied upon each man, according TO
the divine direction for the general support
of worship lex 80: 1910; an equal tax,
the rich not to give more or the poor less,
to emphasize the idea OF equal obligation or
all to God.-Todd The present appeal,
however, was for voluntary offerlng.
"And they came, every one whose heart
was stirred and every one whose spirit was
made willing and they brought the Lords
Offering TO the work of the tabernacle"
The very fact that the distinction is made,
OF the Wiling uearIeu, luulCdlCS ludl tleH
as now, there were those who loved their
possessions better than n sanctuary; those
whose hearts were not stirred by past
blessings or inspired with hope for new.
These apathetic ones have many descend
ants, conservative people, opposed TO en-
thusiasm and aggressive measures which
cost something. A consecrated heart Is
the source of liberality.
A few gifts inspired by love weigh more
on the divine platform than many forced
from unwilling hearts upon the assessment
plan.
women (as many as were willing hearted).
Says Bush, the peculiar phraseology OF the
Hebrew indicates thSt the women brought
their gifts first, and were followed by the
men; however, that may be as respects
readiness and zeal, the work OF God needs
the service and gifts of both.
TAT meeting of the Presbyterian assem-
bly,, when the report on missions gave
large sum as derived from legacies and the
woman's board, some one Is said TO
have moved o vote of thanks to the dead
men and the live women OF our churches
PeIoubet.
Each brought what he had, gold, silver,
gems. spun goods, and those who had not
these brought their talent of skilled labor,
and so the tabernacle was more than pro-
vided for, and Moses found it necessary to
issue a proclamation restraining the people.
markable generosity were, 1st, the people
realized that they had broken their covenant
obligations and had been restored to favor,
and in generous offerings they would prove
their thankfulness that opportunity had
been given TO renew their allegiance; I'd,
they realized the importance of a sanctuary
as an aid TO correct living. The observance
of the Sabbath which Moses had empha-
sized would be promoted by regular con-
vocation and forms of service. All Of this
L
carry out Gods plans. God did not need
these gifts for the riches of the world were
his, but the people needed the blessings
which would return as reflex influence
The magnitude Of these gifts following
the offerings made for the golden calf, in
dictates the vast wealth of Israel in gems
and ornaments. 1t is not very remarkable
when we remember that rings, necklaces
and Jewels were the special delight of the
people. IF destitute of wearing apparel
to-day, the Egyptian will be extravagantly
decked with valuables of this sort. 1t is
remembered that Israel was burdened with
gifts by the Egyptians, following the
calamities which befell them in the death
of their first born.
Men and women both wore golden orna-
ments. There was no money in the fo1m
of coin or bullion in that early age. Per-
sonal decorations, such as rings, etc. were
weighed and passed current with mer
chants Costly and elegant ornaments
abounded in proportion as clothing was
simple and scarce.-Henstenburg. "Blue,
purple and scarlet were the valuable
colors in linen and wool. Egyptian goods
of this description are found so wonderfully
fine and delicate as to be far more valuable
than their weight in gold, hence were
sometimes spoken of as oblations of pure
gold Goats hair'' was heavy material
used in the construction of tents. "Red
skins of rams" were doubtless those tanned
and colored similar to what is now known
as morocco. This industry was common in
Cibya from remotest antiquity. Badger
pnins," (seal), material manufactured from
the skins of marine animals, which was
better adapted to exposure Pliny speaks
of tents made of sealskins as proof against
lightning. Augustus is said TO have used
such tent ''Silver and brass" "copper" !;
mines of gold, silver and copper were
worked in Egypt and Arabia at this time.
isShittim wood, the acacia thorny tree,
close grained and very hard, most suitable
for cabinet work No other wood was
used in the Tabernacle or its furniture
Rawlinson and Cook.
V. % All the women that were wise
hearted (skillful, expert) were as active
with their hands as they were benevolent
with their gifts, spinning and weaving
- Il