What is the meaning of Exodus 35:28? Spices • “Spices” refers to the fragrant resins and botanicals God specified earlier (Exodus 30:34–35). • The people’s willingness to give them shows a heart stirred by the LORD (Exodus 35:21). • Fragrance symbolized pleasing devotion; David prayed, “May my prayer be set before You like incense” (Psalm 141:2). • Paul later drew on this idea: “We are to God the sweet aroma of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:15). • The verse reminds believers that worship involves offering what delights God, not merely what is convenient. Olive oil for the light • Pure olive oil kept the golden lampstand burning continually (Exodus 27:20; Leviticus 24:2). • The ever-present flame pointed to the LORD as “their light and their salvation” (Psalm 27:1) and foreshadowed Christ, who declared, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). • Jesus also told His followers, “You are the light of the world… let your light shine” (Matthew 5:14-16). • The people’s donation of oil teaches that God supplies light through the obedience and generosity of His people. For the anointing oil • The sacred anointing oil, formulated in Exodus 30:22-33, consecrated priests, furnishings, and later kings like David (1 Samuel 16:13). • Anointing set objects and people apart exclusively for God’s service. • In the new covenant, “He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). • “You have an anointing from the Holy One” (1 John 2:20), showing that the tabernacle ritual anticipated the Holy Spirit’s work in believers today. And for the fragrant incense • Incense blended from the donated spices burned on the golden altar (Exodus 30:34-38). • Its rising smoke pictured prayers ascending before God; Revelation 5:8 links the saints’ prayers with heavenly incense. • Revelation 8:3-4 depicts an angel adding incense to the prayers of God’s people, confirming the image begun in Exodus. • The pleasing aroma also cautioned Israel to worship as God prescribed, not by personal preference (Leviticus 10:1-2). summary Exodus 35:28 records Israel’s freewill gifts of spices and oil so the tabernacle could shine with perpetual light, operate with consecrated priests, and fill with fragrant worship. Each item points forward: the light to Christ and His people, the anointing oil to the Holy Spirit’s consecration, and the incense to Christ-mediated prayer. The verse therefore celebrates wholehearted participation in God’s plan and invites believers today to offer their best so that His presence, holiness, and praise remain central among His people. |
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