But Do I Have To?

Exodus 35: 4-29

And once again we're in reruns...at least mostly. Moses tells the Israelites to take up a collection for the temple. They are looking for gold, silver, bronze, blue, purple and scarlet yarn, fine linen, goat hair, ram skins dyed red, hides of sea cows (and who doesn't have those laying around?), acacia wood, olive oil, onyx stones, and other gems. Moses specifies that these items should come from anyone who is willing.

But he doesn't stop with just getting material things from the Israelites. Next we need skilled laborers to donate some labor. Come make...oh just a few things... the tabernacle, the tent..."covering, clasps, frames, crossbars, posts and bases; 12 the ark with its poles and the atonement cover and the curtain that shields it; 13 the table with its poles and all its articles and the bread of the Presence; 14 the lampstand that is for light with its accessories, lamps and oil for the light; 15 the altar of incense with its poles, the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; the curtain for the doorway at the entrance to the tabernacle; 16 the altar of burnt offering with its bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils; the bronze basin with its stand; 17 the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard; 18 the tent pegs for the tabernacle and for the courtyard, and their ropes; 19 the woven garments worn for ministering in the sanctuary—both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests."

I mean really... how long could that take?

So the Israelites withdrew and thought about it. This seems like a pretty amazing undertaking. I would guess that once you committed, your life would virtually be on hold. This would become the bulk of your day, the way you filled your time. Congregated with other devoted laborers or by yourself creating for God. Some of the work could be done individually, but it would seem the larger tasks would require collective effort. Did this time together bring them closer together? Did it make them appreciate each other more? Did they feel closer to God as a result?

Whatever the result, they did it. All who were willing came and brought materials and the skilled who were willing made it all happen...spinning, mounting, building, creating. Many created and brought their creations as offerings. None of this was coerced- Moses describes it as freewill offerings.

But how do you say no to Moses? Yeah- we appreciate the whole deliverance from slavery thing...but there's this book I've really been wanting to read... and the Oscars are next week- I've got some movies to watch.

Easily. The same way you say no to Jesus today. You keep your checkbook to yourself and your time in isolation- except for Sunday when you wave to people from your car pulling out of the church parking lot.

And nothing is created. Not even relationships.