were to receive instruction: and all desired, in whatever way they could, to advance the work.
Now it is in this way that genuine religion always operates. The converts in every age are represented as coming unto God, " their silver and their gold with them3:" and it is charac- teristic of them all, that they are " a peculiar people, zealous
of good works" ]
III. The effect—
[Such was the conduct of all who were " wise-hearted," and " whose spirits made them willing" to glorify their Godb: and the effect was, that, in a very few days, the ahundance of the gifts exceeded the occasion for them ; and it became neces- sary to issue through the camp a prohibition agamst addmg any thing further to the store.
O what might not be clone for the honour of God and the benefit of mankind, if all exerted themselves according to then- ability! How easy would it be to erect places for the worship of God ; to provide accommodations for the poor ; to administer instruction to the ignorant, consolation to the troubled, relief to the distressed ! Such an union of zealous exertions as we see exhibited on this occasion, would in a great measure drive affliction from the world, and turn into a paradise this vale of tears ]
Improvement —
1. Let the cause of God be dear unto our souls —
[We have not, it is true, any such edifice to raise, and therefore may be supposed to have no such call for zeal and diligence. But is there not a spiritual temple which God desires to have erected for him, and wherein he maybe glorified? Yea, is not that temple infinitely more dear to him than any which can be formed by human hands ? The material tabernacle was only a shadow of that better habitation wherein God delights to dwell. Should not that then be an object of our concern? Should not the manifestations of his presence, and the establish- ment of his kingdom in the world, call forth our zeal, as much as the erection of that fabric in the wilderness did the zeal of Israel ? Well may it shame the world at large, that every trifle occupies their minds, more than this: and even the people of God themselves have reason to blush, that their feelings are so acute in reference to their own interests and honour, and so dull in what regards the honour and interests of their God.]
2. Let us cordially and universally co-operate for the advancement of it —
a Compare Isai. lx. 17. Acts ii. 44, 45. 2 Cor. viii. 1 — 4. b Mark how often these expressions occur in this and the preceding- chapter.