Exodus 35:1-4 And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said to them… Moses' second absence, though, like the first, it lasted-forty days and forty nights (Exodus 34:28), was not followed by the same disastrous effects as the former one. The people had meantime had enough of "gods of gold." They were too frightened at what had happened to think of seeking out any more" inventions" (Ecclesiastes 7:29). They were penitent and well disposed. When at length the news came that God had forgiven them, no bounds could be set to their zeal for service. Learn - 1. How God brings good out of evil. The Divine physician so treated the distemper of the people that it ended, not simply in restored health, but in increased vitality and energy. The lapse into sin was made the means of imparting to the people the stimulus necessary for the erection of the tabernacle. 2. That revival of religion evinces its reality by the effects which it produces. (1) Willingness to hear. "I will hear what God the Lord will speak" (Psalm 85:8). Happy would it have been for Israel had it not "turned again to folly." (2) Willingness to give. Liberality in the Lord's service. (3) Willingness to work. The joy of salvation cannot better spend itself than in the doing of the work of the Lord's kingdom, Willing hearts, ready hands. On the injunction to keep the sabbath, see Homily on Exodus 31:12-18. - J.O. Parallel Verses KJV: And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said unto them, These are the words which the LORD hath commanded, that ye should do them. |
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