251 And the Lord said to Moses, 2 Say to the children of Israel that they are to make me an offering; from every man who has the impulse in his heart take an offering for me. 3 And this is the offering you are to take from them: gold and silver and brass; 4 And blue and purple and red, and the best linen, and goats' hair; 5 And sheepskins coloured red, and leather, and hard wood; 6 Oil for the light, spices for the sweet-smelling oil, sweet perfumes for burning; 7 Beryls and stones of value to be put on the ephod and on the priest's bag. 8 And let them make me a holy place, so that I may be ever present among them. 9 Make the House and everything in it from the designs which I will give you.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 25:1-9
Commentary on Exodus 25:1-9
(Read Exodus 25:1-9)
God chose the people of Israel to be a peculiar people to himself, above all people, and he himself would be their King. He ordered a royal palace to be set up among them for himself, called a sanctuary, or holy place, or habitation. There he showed his presence among them. And because in the wilderness they dwelt in tents, this royal palace was ordered to be a tabernacle, that it might move with them. The people were to furnish Moses with the materials, by their own free will. The best use we can make of our worldly wealth, is to honour God with it in works of piety and charity. We should ask, not only, What must we do? but, What may we do for God? Whatever they gave, they must give it cheerfully, not grudgingly, for God loves a cheerful giver, 2 Corinthians 9:7. What is laid out in the service of God, we must reckon well bestowed; and whatsoever is done in God's service, must be done by his direction.