Willing Hearts, Overflowing Hands

 

 “Willing Hearts, Overflowing Hands”

In Exodus 35:4–36:7, Moses relays God’s command to gather materials for building the tabernacle. The people respond with remarkable generosity—bringing gold, silver, fabrics, and other resources. Skilled artisans, filled with God’s Spirit, are appointed to oversee the work. The people give so abundantly that eventually Moses must restrain them, for more than enough had already been provided.

One of the most beautiful scenes in Israel’s story unfolds here. When Moses calls for offerings to build the tabernacle, the people do not hesitate. Scripture emphasizes that everyone who had a willing heart came forward. Men and women alike gave what they had, from fine materials to personal treasures. Even the artisans offered their skills, recognizing that their talents were gifts entrusted to them by God.

What stands out most is that the giving was voluntary, joyful, and abundant. No one forced them; it was the Spirit of God stirring their hearts. Their generosity overflowed to the point where Moses had to say, “Stop bringing more—we already have enough!” (Exod. 36:6–7). What a picture of a community whose hearts are aligned with God’s mission.

The lesson for us today is clear: when God calls, He also provides. His work is not sustained by pressure or guilt but by the Spirit moving willing hearts. Our money, time, and talents are not truly ours—they are entrusted to us for His purposes. When we give back freely, whether through service, resources, or abilities, we reflect the character of our generous God.

This passage also reminds us that God doesn’t just need our resources—He desires our hearts. The tabernacle was more than a building; it was the place of His presence among His people. In the same way, when we give willingly and joyfully, we invite His presence to dwell in our lives and communities.

May we live with open hands and willing spirits, ready to contribute to God’s work. When we give with joy, we discover the greater blessing: that God Himself is more than enough.

Prayer:
Lord, give me a willing heart. Teach me to see my time, talents, and treasures as gifts from You. Help me to give joyfully, trusting that You will provide more than enough for every good work. May my life overflow with generosity that reflects Your abundant love. Amen.

The Priority of Rest in God’s Presence

 

“The Priority of Rest in God’s Presence”

Exodus 35:1–3

Before Moses gave the instructions for the building of the sanctuary, he began with a reminder that may seem surprising: “Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh day shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord.” (Exod. 35:2, NKJV). One might expect that building God’s dwelling place would override everything else. After all, what could be more important than preparing a holy space for the Lord? Yet God made it clear that even the sacred work of constructing His sanctuary could not replace the sacred time He set apart for fellowship with His people.

The truth reiterated here is that the Sabbath is not just about stopping work—it is about remembering who is in control. Israel might have felt an urgency to finish the tabernacle quickly, but God reminded them that their relationship with Him could not be built on endless labor, even labor done in His name. The Sabbath was a gift, a weekly rhythm of trust, teaching them to rest in His presence and depend on His provision.

This principle still speaks to us today. In our busy lives, even when we are engaged in ministry or service for God, there is the temptation to think that productivity defines our faithfulness. But God calls us to pause, to step away from the work—even His work—and rest in Him. It is in that rest that our souls are refreshed, our hearts are refocused, and our relationship with Him deepens.

The building of the sanctuary teaches us that God’s presence is not achieved by human hands but received by surrendered hearts. When we honor His command to rest, we declare that He is Lord not only of our work but also of our time. True worship begins not with what we do for God, but with trusting who God is.

God is the Creator, and the Sabbath is His memorial (Gen. 1:1; 2:2–3; Exod. 20:8–11).

The Messiah, the promised Seed, brings victory over Satan and evil.

God’s kingdom will be established, with the Sabbath as a foretaste.

Salvation is by God’s grace alone; He is Savior and Redeemer.

God is the Judge, granting eternal life to His followers and no future to those who reject Him.

Prayer:
Lord, help me to remember that my worth is not measured by my work, even in service to You. Teach me to rest in Your presence, to honor the time You have set apart, and to let my life be shaped by trust in Your timing and provision. Amen.

Sabbath School Lesson 13: The Tabernacle

  EXODUS 

Sabbath School Lesson 13

The Tabernacle 

You may use this for presenting and studying the current Sabbath School Lesson.

> Download the notes for Lesson 13 video here.

(Video is Below)

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Sabbath School Daily Reflections:

Sunday: The Sabbath of the LORD

Monday: Offerings and the Spirit

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Next Quarter: Lessons of Faith from Joshua

Who Is My God? The Self-Revelation of God in Exodus 34

 

When people ask who my God is, I turn to His own words in Exodus 34:6–7, where He reveals Himself to Moses. God describes Himself as “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin, but by no means clearing the guilty.”

The beauty of God’s character is seen in the perfect balance of love and justice. He is not a cold and distant ruler, nor is He a permissive being who overlooks evil. Instead, He is deeply compassionate, eager to forgive, patient with our weaknesses, and faithful to His promises. At the same time, He is righteous and holy, meaning that sin and injustice will not last forever.

What makes my God beautiful is that His justice never overshadows His mercy, and His mercy never cancels out His truth. Both meet in harmony within Him. We see the fullness of this revealed in Jesus Christ, who embodied this passage perfectly—offering forgiveness to the repentant while upholding the holiness of God.

So, when I say who my God is, I say: He is the God who loves beyond measure, forgives abundantly, remains faithful when I fail, and yet is just enough to bring an end to evil. That is the beauty of His character, and that is why I worship Him.

John 1:14 (NKJV):

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

This verse shows how Jesus Christ embodied the same self-revelation of God from Exodus 34:6–7—overflowing with both grace and truth, mercy and justice.

The Shining Face of Moses

 

The Shining Face of Moses

Exodus 34:29–35

There are moments in Scripture where the glory of God breaks through human weakness and becomes visible. One of the most striking examples is in Exodus 34, when Moses descends from Mount Sinai with the new tablets of the covenant. His face is shining—radiant with the glory of God. The people of Israel could not even look at him directly because of this light.

This story is not just about Moses; it is about what happens when human beings come into the presence of God and allow Him to work in their lives.

The Cause of Moses’ Radiant Face
Exodus 34:29 tells us plainly: “Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him.” The radiance came directly from being in the presence of God. Moses had just spoken with the Lord face to face, receiving not only the tablets of stone but also God’s promises and commandments. The glory that filled Moses’ face was a reflection, not his own light, but God’s light shining through him.

This shows us that true transformation does not come from human effort but from being with God. Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, Moses reflected the light of God’s glory.

Why Moses Might Not Have Known His Face Was Radiant
It is striking that Moses himself was unaware of his shining face. Why? Because genuine encounters with God humble us rather than puff us up. When we truly surrender to God, we are not focused on our own image but on His majesty. The radiance was not for Moses to boast in but as evidence to the people that he had been in God’s presence.

In the same way, when we spend time with God—whether in prayer, in Scripture, or in worship—others may notice the change in us before we do. The peace, joy, and love of Christ become visible even if we ourselves are unaware.

Proof of God’s Presence
The Israelites feared Moses’ shining face because it was proof he had been with the Lord. This radiance was not something Moses could create or imitate; it was supernatural evidence of divine presence.

For us, God’s presence may not make our physical face glow, but it certainly transforms our hearts and minds. People will see patience where there was once anger, hope where there was once despair, forgiveness where there was once bitterness. That change itself is evidence that God is real and active in our lives.

Our Transformation Through Surrender
Just as Moses’ face shone because of God’s glory, our inner lives can shine when we surrender fully to the Lord. When we allow God to be the King of our hearts, He changes the way we think, feel, and live.

Romans 6:4 tells us: “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Newness of life is the evidence that Christ lives in us.

When we surrender pride, fear, and selfishness, God fills us with His Spirit. And just as He wrote His covenant on stone tablets for Israel, He now writes His law of love on our hearts.

Transformed Into His Image
The apostle Paul makes the connection between Moses and believers today in 2 Corinthians 3:18: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Transformation into the image of Christ is a gradual, Spirit-led process. Just as Moses’ face shone after being with God, we begin to shine spiritually as we behold Christ daily. Our thoughts are renewed, our desires purified, and our actions aligned with His will. Over time, we begin to reflect His character more and more.

Surrender and Shine
The shining face of Moses was a visible testimony of what happens when a man spends time in God’s presence. He did not know it, but the people could see it clearly. In the same way, when we walk with Jesus, He transforms us—often in ways we cannot even perceive.

When you surrender your life to Christ, you walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). When you continue to behold Him, He transforms you day by day into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Let us, then, seek His presence earnestly, so that our lives shine—not with our own light, but with the glory of the One who lives within us.