Exodus 35

Read Exodus 35. Exodus 35 opens with Moses gathering the whole congregation of Israel together and reminding them of the Sabbath command, declaring that no work was to be done on the seventh day, not even the kindling of a fire, on penalty of death for anyone who broke it. Moses then relayed the LORD's instructions for a freewill offering to furnish materials for the tabernacle. He asked that anyone whose heart was willing bring gold, silver, and brass; blue, purple, and scarlet thread with fine linen and goats' hair; rams' skins dyed red and badgers' skins; shittim wood; oil for the light; spices for anointing oil and sweet incense; and onyx stones with other gems for the ephod and breastplate. The people responded generously. Everyone whose spirit was willing came forward, and both men and women brought bracelets, earrings, rings, and jewels of gold, along with dedicated offerings of the materials Moses had listed. Those who had blue, purple, and scarlet material, fine linen, goats' hair, skins, and wood brought them, and the women who were skilled spun yarn from the blue, purple, and scarlet thread and fine linen, and from goats' hair. The rulers of the people brought onyx stones, gems for the ephod and breastplate, spices, and oil for the light, anointing oil, and incense. Every man and woman whose heart moved them brought a willing offering to the LORD for the work of the tabernacle. Next, Moses told the people that the LORD had specifically called Bezaleel (of the tribe of Judah) and filled him with the spirit of God, giving him wisdom, understanding, and skill in every kind of craftsmanship — working in gold, silver, and brass, cutting stones, carving wood, and every artistic craft. God had also appointed Aholiab (of the tribe of Dan) to work with him, and had given both men (along with all who were naturally wise-hearted) the ability to do all the work required for building the sanctuary, exactly as the LORD had commanded. Exodus 35 closes by describing how these skilled workers and craftsmen came forward to begin the work.