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Exodus 35 — The golden calf crew gets a redemption arc
7 min read
nocap.bible editorialAfter the disaster and the renewal, calls an all-hands meeting with the entire nation of . No one's sitting this out. God has forgiven them, the relationship is restored, and now it's time to build something together — a place where God will actually dwell among His people.
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What follows is basically a massive community fundraiser and volunteer sign-up, and the response is honestly one of the most wholesome moments in the whole Old Testament. Everybody shows up. Everybody gives. No one has to be guilted into it.
Before gets into the building project, he starts with the most important rule — the . This wasn't an afterthought. Even when there's a massive construction project ahead, comes first.
"Moses gathered everyone and said: 'Look, here's what God commanded. You get six days to work. But the seventh day? That's a Sabbath of complete rest, set apart for the Lord. Anyone who works on it will be put to death. You can't even light a fire in your house on that day.'"
That "no " rule might sound extreme, but this is God saying: I'm serious about rest. Even when you're building something FOR God, you don't skip the rhythms God designed for you. The project can wait. Your soul can't. 🛑
Now gets to the ask. But notice — this isn't a tax. It's not mandatory. God specifically says it's for whoever has a generous heart.
"Moses told the people: 'Here's what God is asking. Take from what you have and bring a contribution to the Lord — but only if your heart is in it. Gold, silver, bronze. Blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. Fine linen. Goats' hair. Tanned ram skins and goatskins. Acacia wood. Oil for the lamps. Spices for the anointing oil and incense. Onyx stones and gemstones for the ephod and breastpiece.'"
This is a long list, but the point is clear: God wants variety, not just cash. Whatever you have — raw materials, precious stones, fabric, wood — it all has a place in what God is building. No contribution is too basic. 🙌
lays out the full project scope. This isn't vague — it's a detailed construction plan, and he's looking for skilled workers to make it happen.
"'Every skilled craftsman among you — step up and build what the Lord has commanded: the Tabernacle itself with its tent covering, hooks, frames, bars, pillars, and bases. The Ark of the Covenant with its poles and the mercy seat. The curtain screen. The table with its utensils and the bread of the Presence. The lampstand with its lamps and oil. The altar of incense with its poles, the anointing oil, and the fragrant incense. The entrance screen for the Tabernacle door. The altar of burnt offering with its bronze grating, poles, and utensils. The basin and its stand. The courtyard hangings, pillars, bases, and gate screen. All the pegs and cords. And the priestly garments — the holy robes for Aaron and his sons to serve in.'"
That's a of components. But every single piece has a purpose. The wasn't just a tent — it was a carefully designed space where and earth overlapped. Every hook, every curtain, every peg pointed to God's and His desire to be close to His people.
Here's where it gets beautiful. finishes the ask, and the people just... show up. No guilt trips. No fundraiser thermometer. Just hearts that were genuinely moved.
Everyone whose heart stirred them and whose spirit moved them brought their contributions for the . Men and women came together — people pulled up with brooches, earrings, , armlets, every kind of gold object. They were literally taking off their jewelry and handing it over. Everyone who had yarn, linen, goats' hair, animal skins — they brought it. Everyone with silver, , or acacia wood brought that too.
(Quick context: Remember, these are the same people who just gave up their gold earrings for a in chapter 32. Now they're giving their gold for something that actually honors God. That's a fr fr.) ✨
This next part is lowkey an exceptionally empowering moment in the Old Testament. The women don't just donate materials — they bring their craftsmanship.
Every skilled woman spun yarn with her own hands — blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen. And the women whose hearts stirred them to use their abilities? They spun the goats' hair too. Meanwhile, the leaders brought the premium stuff: onyx stones, gemstones for the priestly garments, spices, and oil for the lamps and anointing oil and incense.
The summary verse hits different: all the men and women of whose hearts moved them to bring anything for the work God commanded — they brought it as a freewill to the Lord. Nobody was forced. Nobody was shamed. This was a community operating at its absolute best — everyone contributing what they had, with willing hearts. That's elite generosity. 💯
Now drops one more announcement, and it's a big one. God didn't just ask for materials and someone figured out how to use them. He had already chosen His architects.
"Moses told the people: 'Look — the Lord has called Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, from the tribe of Judah, by name. God filled him with the Spirit of God — with skill, intelligence, knowledge, and every kind of craftsmanship. He can design artistic works, work with gold, silver, and bronze, cut stones for settings, carve wood — basically any skilled craft you can think of. And God gave him the ability to teach. Him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach from the tribe of Dan. God filled them both with skill to do every kind of work — engraving, designing, embroidering in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen, weaving — every type of craftsmanship and design.'"
Here's the thing that should stop you in your tracks: the didn't just show up for preaching and . God filled with the Spirit for art. For design. For craftsmanship. Your creative gifts aren't separate from your spiritual life — they're part of it. God is the original creative, and when He fills someone with His Spirit, that includes the ability to make beautiful things. No cap. 🔥