Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 5. The people bring much more than enough] With what a liberal spirit do these people bring their free-will offerings unto the Lords! Moses is obliged to make a proclamation to prevent them from bringing any more, as there was at present more than enough! Had Moses been intent upon gain, and had he not been perfectly disinterested, he would have encouraged them to continue their contributions, as thereby he might have multiplied to himself gold, silver, and precious stones. But he was doing the Lord's work, under the inspiration of the Divine Spirit, and therefore he sought no secular gain. Indeed, this one circumstance is an ample proof of it. Every thing necessary for the worship of God will be cheerfully provided by a people whose hearts are in that worship. In a state where all forms of religion and modes of worship are tolerated by the laws, it would be well to find out some less exceptionable way of providing for the national clergy than by tithes. Let them by all means have the provision allowed them by the law; but let them not be needlessly exposed to the resentment of the people by the mode in which this provision is made, as this often alienates the affections of their flocks from them, and exceedingly injures their usefulness. See the note on "Gen. xxviii. 22", in fine, where the subject is viewed on all sides.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- The making of the tabernacle, The liberality of the people restrained.
--The readiness and zeal with which these builders set about their work, the exactness with which they performed it, and the faithfulnes with which they objected to receive more contributions, are worthy of our imitation. Thus should we serve God, and our superiors also, in all things lawful. Thus should all who are in public trusts abhor filth lucre, and avoid all occasions and temptations to covetousness. Wher have we the representation of God's love towards us, that we by love dwell in him and he in us, save in Emmanuel? Mt 1:23. This is the su of the ministry of reconciliation, 2Co 5:18, 19. This was the design of the "tabernacle of witness," a visible testimony of the love of God to the race of men, however they were fallen from their first state. An this love was shown by Christ's taking up his abode on earth; by the Word being made flesh, Joh 1:14, wherein, as the original expresses it he did tabernacle among us _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew ויאמרו559 אל413 משׁה4872 לאמר559 מרבים7235 העם5971 להביא935 מדי1767 העבדה5656 למלאכה4399 אשׁר834 צוה6680 יהוה3068 לעשׂת6213 אתה׃853
