Exodus 35:4
Moses also told the whole congregation of Israel, "This is what the LORD has commanded:
Moses also told the whole congregation of Israel,

Moses addressed the entire assembled nation because the work of building the tabernacle belonged to all Israel. After the sin of the golden calf and the renewal of the covenant, the gathering marked a renewed opportunity for the people to respond to God in faithful obedience. The tabernacle would stand at the center of Israel’s camp as the appointed place where the holy God dwelt among His redeemed people. Every family and tribe shared responsibility for supporting the worship of the Lord.

Deu 31:30 Then Moses recited aloud to the whole assembly of Israel…
Deu 31:1 When Moses had finished speaking these words to all Israel,
Deu 5:1 Then Moses summoned all Israel and said to them:…

“This is what the LORD has commanded:

Moses delivered God’s own command, not a human plan for religious activity. The LORD, who had redeemed Israel from Egypt and covenanted with them at Sinai, alone determined how He would be approached and worshiped. The instructions that follow would govern the offerings, labor, and materials for the tabernacle, ensuring that its construction reflected God’s holiness and His gracious desire to dwell with His people. Israel’s obedience would demonstrate that covenant faith involved both hearing God’s word and carrying it out.

Exo 16:16 This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Each one is to gather……
Lev 9:6 And Moses said, “This is what the LORD has commanded you…
Lev 8:5 And Moses said to them, “This is what the LORD has commanded…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egyptian bondage and to guide them through the wilderness. In this passage, Moses acts as the mediator between God and the Israelites, conveying God's commands.

2. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They are gathered as a congregation to receive instructions from God through Moses.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal existence and faithfulness. He is the one giving the command through Moses.

4. The Command
This refers to the instructions given by God to the Israelites, which in the context of Exodus 35, involves the collection of materials for the construction of the Tabernacle.

5. The Tabernacle
The portable sanctuary that the Israelites were to construct as a place of worship and the dwelling place of God's presence among His people.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God's Commands
Moses exemplifies obedience by faithfully communicating God's instructions to the Israelites. As believers, we are called to listen and respond to God's Word with obedience.

Community and Worship
The gathering of the whole congregation emphasizes the communal aspect of worship. Our faith is not just individual but is lived out in community with others.

Generosity in Giving
The command involves the collection of offerings for the Tabernacle. This teaches us the importance of giving generously and willingly to support the work of God.

Leadership and Responsibility
Moses' role as a leader highlights the responsibility of those in leadership to guide others according to God's will. Leaders in the church today are called to shepherd their congregations with integrity and faithfulness.

God's Presence Among His People
The construction of the Tabernacle signifies God's desire to dwell among His people. This foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of God's presence with us through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Moses' role as a mediator between God and the Israelites in Exodus 35:4 reflect the role of Jesus as our mediator today?

2. In what ways can we, as a church community, ensure that our worship is both communal and centered on God's commands?

3. Reflect on a time when you felt called to give generously. How does the example of the Israelites' offerings for the Tabernacle inspire you to give?

4. What qualities of leadership can we learn from Moses in this passage, and how can they be applied in our own roles within the church or community?

5. How does the concept of God dwelling among His people in the Tabernacle relate to the New Testament understanding of God's presence with us through the Holy Spirit?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 25-31
These chapters provide the detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle, which Moses is now relaying to the people in Exodus 35.

2 Corinthians 9:7
This New Testament verse speaks about giving willingly and cheerfully, which connects to the spirit in which the Israelites were to bring their offerings for the Tabernacle.

Hebrews 3:1-6
This passage compares Moses to Jesus, highlighting Moses' faithfulness in God's house, which is relevant as Moses faithfully conveys God's commands for the Tabernacle.
The New StartJ. Orr Exodus 35:1-4
Gifts and WorkersJ. Orr Exodus 35:4-36:8
People
Aaron, Ahisamach, Aholiab, Bezaleel, Dan, Hur, Israelites, Moses, Shoham, Uri
Places
Sinai
Topics
Assembly, Commanded, Community, Company, Congregation, Meeting, Order, Saying, Sons, Spake, Speaketh, Spoke
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 35:4

     7206   community

Exodus 35:4-7

     4552   wood

Exodus 35:4-9

     4312   bronze
     4342   jewels
     4492   olive

Library
An Old Subscription List
'And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord's offering to the work....' --EXODUS xxxv. 21. This is the beginning of the catalogue of contributions towards the erection of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. It emphasises the purely spontaneous and voluntary character of the gifts. There was plenty of compulsory work, of statutory contribution, in the Old Testament system of worship. Sacrifices and tithes and other things
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Appendix xvii. The Ordinances and Law of the Sabbath as Laid Down in the Mishnah and the Jerusalem Talmud.
The terribly exaggerated views of the Rabbis, and their endless, burdensome rules about the Sabbath may best be learned from a brief analysis of the Mishnah, as further explained and enlarged in the Jerusalem Talmud. [6476] For this purpose a brief analysis of what is, confessedly, one of the most difficult tractates may here be given. The Mishnic tractate Sabbath stands at the head of twelve tractates which together from the second of the six sections into which the Mishnah is divided, and which
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Gifts and Talents.
"And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him."--Judges iii. 10. We now consider the Holy Spirit's work in bestowing gifts, talents, and abilities upon artisans and professional men. Scripture declares that the special animation and qualification of persons for work assigned to them by God proceed from the Holy Spirit. The construction of the tabernacle required capable workmen, skilful carpenters, goldsmiths, and silversmiths, and masters in the arts of weaving and embroidering. Who will furnish Moses
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Early Battles
Six months of joyous service amongst the Welsh miners was cut short by a telegram announcing to the sisters the serious illness of Mrs. Lee. Taking the news to their Divisional Commander, they were instructed to Headquarters. It was found that the illness was due to shock. The income from investments of the little estate left by Mr. Lee had dwindled; it now had disappeared altogether. Captain Lucy faced the matter with her usual practical decision. 'Mother, darling, there are two ways out. Either
Minnie L. Carpenter—The Angel Adjutant of "Twice Born Men"

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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