So, when Exodus 35 mentioned brooches, earrings, signant rings and armlets of gold, you just know this got my attention!
Moses was setting out to start the building of the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle and he needed supplies. Because the Lord required only the best materials, Moses needed gold, silver and bronze. Upon asking for donations, the Isrealites came in droves to provide the materials. That’s right, they actually took off their jewelry and gave it up for the Lord. Oh my…
Exodus 35:21-22
21And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments. 22So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the LORD.
Their hearts stirred and their spirits were moved to bring this offering to the LORD.
This passaged challenged me to think about if I would be willing to give an offering of this magnitude. Now, your vice might not be jewelry like mine is, but you might have somthing else that you cherish. Would you be willing to give it up for the LORD?
Please hear me when I say that these items in and of themselves are not bad at all. In fact, God often blesses us with things we enjoy. It is when we are not willing to give them up for the LORD that creates the problem. This means that we are putting some earthly object that won’t accompany us to heaven before our God.
Let us all be like the Israelites and let our hearts be stirred and spirits moved to offer up daily what we cherish to the LORD. Most importantly, let us offer up our lives to be used by Him and glorify Him.
