HOMILETICS. On the symbolism of the Ta.bemacle and its parts, see the Homiletics on eh. :uv. 10-39; eh. :uvi.; eh. xxvii. 1~; and eh. xxx. 1-10. On the symbolism of th11 anointing oil e.nd the holy incense, see the Homiletics on eh. xxx. 23-28. Vera. 5-19.-The duty and privilege of making offerings to God. That God allow:1 us to offer to him of his own, and accepts such offerings as free gifts, is one of his many gracious condescensions. It is the part of all ministers to give opportunity for such offerings-to encourage them, suggest them, elicit them. Moses now summoned " all the congregation of the children of Israel," that he might give to all, without partiality or favouritism, the opportunity for a good action, which would obtain its due reward. Doubtless he pointed out the.t the object was one for the glory of God and the edification of his people-no less an object than the substitution for that poor" tent of meeting," which he he.d extemporised on the morrow of his first descent from Sinai (eh. xxxiii. 7), of a. glorious structure, of the richest materials, designed by God himself, worthy of him, and suited to intensify and spiritualise the devotions of all worshippers. It was fit that the structure should, if possible, be raised by means of the free gifts of the faithful. F01 this Moses now, like a faithful minister of Christ, made appeal to all. In doing so, hto pointed out the two modes in which such offerings may be made. f. OFFERINGS MAY BE MADE BY THE ASSIGNMl<:NT TCI A SACRED U~); 01' \ PORTT0:-1 CIP' OUR BUBSTANCJ,;, All who had gold, silver, bra:,:,, hlue, purple, ,rnrlt,, 1inll linen, go .. t·, THE BOOK OF EXODUS. [cR, llX:tV. 4-20.
hair. elc., were invited t.o contribute out of their abundance to the erection of the new eanetu11.~·- It w11.11 especially urged that, if they did eo, it Ahould be with "a willing heart " ~ver. 1)-" not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God lovet,h a cheerful giver" (~ Cor. ix. 7). Such a mode of offering is open to those only who have property of eome kmd or <'ther, and is especially suited to the rich and well-to-do classes; and it w11.11 no doub1 the wealthy who at this time chiefly contributed in thiR w11.y. But, M Goo. iij " no respecter of pel'!IOns," e.nd regards the poor and needy fully B.S much as those who are ol high este.te. ~ome further mode of me.king him an offering is necessary. Note, in this connection, the.t- Il. OFFERING6 MAY BE MADE BY THE DEVOTION TO A SACRED "(TSE OF SOME PORTION OF OUR TIME AND LABOUR. "Every wise-hearted among you shall come, e.nd me.ke all that !he Lord hath commanded" (ver. 10). All who bad sufficient skill were invited to join ID the actual work of prepar:ng e.nd ma.king the various fabrics. Carpenters, weavers, dyen;, smiths, embroideren;, metallurgists, might contribute their time and work, &nd so make an offering to God B.S acceptable Ill! that of the gold or jewels of the wealthy-. Even poor women, v.·hose only skill was to spin thread with their hands (ver. 25), might "bring that which they had spun," and were accepted as offering worthily. In this we.y there were few families that might not he.ve their part in the work, for spinning was a v.·ide-sprea.d accomplishment. And so, in our own day, whenever any good work is taken in hand, it will always be found that every one who v.,ills can have some part in it--<'.an help, by hee.dwork or by handiwork, to effect the end desired. And the value of Ruch participation is quite equal to the.t rendered by rich contributors, at any rate, in the sight of God. For observe, the women who spun gORt's he.ir are placed side by side with the" rulen;" who "brought onyx stones," and costly spices, and jewels to he set in the high-priest's breastplate (vers. 26-28).
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. ~h. x:nvi. 8.-Gifts and workers. Learn from this section that the Lord's work requirel!- 1. LIBERAL GIVEBS. Almost everything needed for the sanctuary was provided by the free gifts of the people. What was required was readily forthcoming. The only exception to the voluntariness of the giving& WIii! the half-shekel of atonement money (chs. :ux. 11-17; mviii. 25, 26). 'l'hese givings, which may well be made the model of our own, were: 1. Willing-" Every one whose he.art stirred him up, and whom his spirit made willing" (ver. 21). The Lord "loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. ix. 7). 2. Ac- cording to ability. Each gave as he was able (vers. 23-29). The princes gave costly gifts. Others brought silver and brass. Others ge.ve wood. Those who could not give anything else gave work (vers. 25, 26). 3. UniverSB.L All classes ge.ve. The princes, the people, young and old, men and women. 4. Overflowing. So zealous was the spirit of the people, and so abundant were their gifts, that they had in the end to he restrained ( eh. :nxvi. r--7). When will a like liberality he manifested in the cause of Christ? Liberal givings are needed. There is still much land to be possessed. at home. Rea.then lands are opening to the Gospel. 6. It sufficed for the work (eh. :uxvi. 7). Thus would God teach us that it is his will that his work should be supported by the voluntary contributions of his people. 6. The giving was made a.n act of worship- " Every man that offered, offered an offering (lit. a wave-offering) of gold unto the Lord" (ver. 22). "Every one that did offer an offering of silver a.nd brass brought the Lord's offering" (ver. 24). This is the true spirit of religious giving. The humblest offering, thllf presented, will not fail of acceptance. Cf. the widow with her two mites (Mark xii. 41-44). II. WILLING woRKEBS (eh. :uxvi. 1, 2). The work, like the giving, was hearty. Those only were BBked to engage in this work whose hearts stirred them up to do it. God desires no other kind of workers. III. DIVERSE GIFTS. These were needed for the different parts of the work. The man wLo ma.de the "pin" (ver. 18) was as truly a worker in God's service, as Bezaleol, who ore\<" tl,e plaus. He had his own gift and use. IY. 'J'HE w1suo11 oF THE SPIRIT. "He Lath filled him with the spirit of God" (ver. ::ll ). •· 'J'Lcw LaLL Le filled with wibdow uf hell.ft," etc. (ver. 35).--J. 0. C'II UXV. 21-29.) THE BOOK OF EXODuS. 3H