It was a setup! I was ‘ripe for the pickin’ when I answered that call from an unknown number. Are you thinking that I became the victim of a scam? Nope. Actually, it was the daughter-in-law of a dear friend with a request. But her ask was no small do-me-a-favor tomorrow. She asked dear Husband and me to each teach a class in her homeschool co-op. Oh, yes, it’s just one elective class for each of us one day a week for six weeks. But I know the amount of work my class will require of me. I’ve been here before. So why was I set up for her call? Because I’d been studying to teach the older kids’ Bible class on building the Tabernacle. I’ve always loved that story. It thrills me every time I read it. The people had willing hearts that motivated them to donate some of their possessions-valuable gold jewelry. Their willing hearts motivated some of them to volunteer to make useful things at home- spinning thread. Their willing hearts motivated others to volunteer on site using their God-given abilities to build the Tabernacle- the framework, weaving cloth for curtains and garments, working the gold, making incense and anointing oil, and casting silver and bronze. Two men were especially appointed and equipped by God to do the most skilled work. And they were enabled to teach others their skills. I had already decided that the application to the Bible lesson would be contributing our skills for the good of our faith community. So how could I say, ’No,’ when asked to contribute my small part?!

Moses made sure that no one was pressured. No one was required to work. Each person who contributed to building the Tabernacle was doing it from a willing heart. I love that! Isn’t that the way God’s work is always done? He doesn’t force us. He loves a cheerful giver. It’s our choice to join in the most important and satisfying work.

 ^“and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting..”  Exodus 35:21

“. . . every man and woman who was eager to help in the work the Lord had given them through Moses—brought their gifts and gave them freely to the Lord.” Exodus 35:29

God gave each person an ability (or abilities) that was needed to complete the work. They chose to use that ability to work for God. Along with abilities, God gave wisdom so their abilities would be directed in accordance with the plan God gave Moses.  There was transparency and accountability all along the way. The donations were recorded. When there was enough, the people were restrained from giving more. No one pocketed anything. All the workers knew what God’s plan was for the Tabernacle. All the work was inspected by Moses to make sure it met the standard that God had given to Moses.  When completed,  all were blessed for working in obedience to God’s plan.  God approved it and put his glory on it.

Like God’s people of old, we can contribute, we can work physically, and most importantly, spiritually to build God’s house- the people of faith. We can willingly use our skills and abilities for the good of others in our community of faith. Leaders of the church must be willing and able to teach so the leaders aren’t the only ones doing spiritual work in the church. They are equipping/training others to join in the work.

“And the Lord has given both him and Oholiab . . . the ability to teach their skills to others.” Exodus 35:34

God equips people to do all the tasks necessary to build the Church and build up the Church.
“The Lord has gifted Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other skilled craftsmen with wisdom and ability to perform any task involved in building the sanctuary.” Exodus 36:1

God loves beauty. The directions were to make beautiful things. The fine gold items inside the tent were seen by only a few, the priests. And the most beautiful thing- the ark of the covenant- was seen by only one person, the high priest, once a year. But Moses described them in detail so all the people could envision their beauty. Everyone could enjoy the finely woven curtains which designated the courtyard in front of the tent where sacrifices were offered. The entrance into this courtyard was a special curtain decorated with beautiful embroidery in blue, purple, and scarlet.  There were specially decorated curtains that separated the Holy Place in the tent from the courtyard.

The Tabernacle was superseded by the Temple, which has been superseded by Jesus. Since Jesus’ sacrificial death, there is no longer a curtain of separation between people and God. Those who believe are considered priests and can see the beautiful things. Even the second curtain separating all but the high priest from God has been removed. We have free access through faith in Christ to approach God.

“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God . . let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:14,16

So what does the Tabernacle have to do with us and our churches? Most can’t attain a ton of gold (literally) to adorn our sanctuaries like the Tabernacle. We don’t have a priesthood with especially beautiful clothing. There isn’t just one central place to worship God.  Here are some takeaways: We should make our meeting place as lovely as our circumstances allow. Maybe it’s just a vase of flowers brought from someone’s garden to adorn a mud brick meeting room. Maybe it’s keeping an aging building clean, neat, and maintained. It’s doing the best we can with what we have. If the people hadn’t had the gold jewelry to donate, God wouldn’t have made the plan for beautiful gold items. We can only give what we have.

We always remember that the physical is only an outward expression. But our willing hearts, and obedient behavior are the true beauty. We adorn the place of worship with our heartfelt praise to God. We raise prayers of faith like sweet incense. We bring our sacrificial gifts to honor the Giver. We beautify the meeting place with unity like the Tabernacle curtains woven and joined together. We weave togetherness by mutual care for each other, by hospitality, by serving together, by meeting each other’s needs, by encouragement and appreciation, and by praying for each other. We make it a beautiful place by humbly receiving teaching from the Scriptures by those gifted to teach. Adding new people who come to faith and become part of the church is the spiritual equivalent to building a physical addition to the building. All of these are done with a willing heart. Duty or pressure can’t beautify God’s house.

“And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.” 1 Peter 2:5

PS  My mother’s middle name was Willing.  I thought it was a strange name as a kid.  But the older I get, the more lovely that name becomes.