Exodus 36:6

After Moses had given an order, they sent a proclamation throughout the camp: "No man or woman should make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary." So the people were restrained from bringing more,

Study Bible

After Moses had given an order
Moses, as the leader of the Israelites and God's chosen prophet, often communicated God's commands to the people. This order reflects his authoritative role in guiding the construction of the Tabernacle, a central place of worship. The context here is the building of the Tabernacle, which required specific materials and craftsmanship as detailed in earlier chapters of Exodus. Moses' leadership is a type of Christ, who also gives commands to His followers.

they sent a proclamation throughout the camp
The camp refers to the encampment of the Israelites in the wilderness. This proclamation was a public announcement, indicating the organized structure and communication methods among the Israelites. The camp was a temporary dwelling place, reflecting the transient nature of their journey to the Promised Land. This mirrors the Christian journey towards eternal life, emphasizing the importance of community and obedience.

“No man or woman should make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.”
This directive highlights the overwhelming generosity of the Israelites, as they had already provided more than enough materials for the construction of the Tabernacle. It underscores the principle of giving willingly and abundantly, as seen in 2 Corinthians 9:7, where Paul encourages cheerful giving. The sanctuary, or Tabernacle, was a precursor to the Temple and ultimately points to Jesus Christ, who is the true dwelling place of God among men (John 1:14).

So the people were restrained from bringing more,
The restraint indicates that the people's hearts were stirred to give beyond what was necessary, demonstrating their devotion and commitment to God's work. This act of restraint is unique in Scripture, showing a rare instance where the people's generosity exceeded the need. It serves as a reminder of God's provision and the sufficiency of His blessings, paralleling the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice for humanity's sins.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. In this context, Moses is overseeing the construction of the Tabernacle.

2. The Israelites
The people of God who were freed from slavery in Egypt. They are now in the wilderness, contributing to the construction of the Tabernacle.

3. The Tabernacle
The portable sanctuary that the Israelites built according to God's instructions. It served as a place of worship and a symbol of God's presence among His people.

4. The Camp
Refers to the encampment of the Israelites in the wilderness. It is the community setting where the proclamation was made.

5. The Offering
The contributions made by the Israelites for the construction of the Tabernacle. These offerings were so abundant that Moses had to command the people to stop giving.

Teaching Points

Generosity in Giving
The Israelites' willingness to give until they were asked to stop is a powerful example of generosity. We are encouraged to give freely and abundantly to God's work.

Obedience to Leadership
Moses' command to stop giving was respected by the people, showing their trust and obedience to God-appointed leadership.

God's Provision
The abundance of offerings demonstrates God's provision through His people. When God calls us to a task, He provides the necessary resources.

Contentment and Restraint
The Israelites' ability to stop giving when asked reflects a spirit of contentment and restraint, recognizing when enough is enough.

Community Participation
The building of the Tabernacle was a community effort, emphasizing the importance of collective involvement in God's work.

Bible Study Questions

1. What does the Israelites' response to Moses' command teach us about the nature of generosity and giving in our own lives?

2. How can we apply the principle of cheerful and willing giving, as seen in Exodus 36:6, to our financial contributions to the church and other ministries?

3. In what ways can we demonstrate obedience to God-appointed leadership in our church or community, similar to the Israelites' response to Moses?

4. How does the concept of God's provision, as seen in the abundance of offerings for the Tabernacle, encourage us in our personal and communal endeavors?

5. Reflect on a time when you had to exercise restraint or contentment in your giving or service. How did that experience align with the principles found in Exodus 36:6?

Connections to Other Scriptures

2 Corinthians 9:7
This verse speaks about giving willingly and cheerfully, which connects to the Israelites' generous contributions for the Tabernacle.

Exodus 25:1-9
This passage details God's instructions to Moses about collecting offerings for the Tabernacle, highlighting the importance of willing contributions.

Mark 12:41-44
The account of the widow's offering illustrates the principle of giving out of love and devotion, similar to the Israelites' generous spirit.