STIRRED HEARTS

“The the whole community of the people of Isra’el withdrew from Moshe’s presence; and they came, everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit made him willing, and brought Adonai’s offering for the work on the tent of meeting, for the service in it and for the holy garments.”
Exodus 35:20-21

With Moshe down from the mountain, and with all the instructions of Adonai recorded, the people were now being told of their next steps. Moshe assembled the whole community and shared with them the commands concerning Shabbat, including that the penalty for breaking the law and working on this day would result in death. Following this, Moshe passed on Adonai’s words that a collection was to be taken of gold, silver, and bronze metals, as well as blue, purple, and scarlet yarns. In addition to these items, the offering was to include fine linen, goat’s hair, tanned ram skins, fine leather, and acacia wood. These items, along with spices and fragrant incenses, would be used in the temple and in the priestly robes.
Craftsmen from throughout the camp were called upon to begin construction on the tent and the pieces that would be placed in and around the tent. This construction and craftsmanship included the menorah, the incense altar, and the basin to name but a few. Yet other skilled craftsman worked to follow Adonai’s design for Aharon’s garments, placing the twelve stones of the twelve tribes in place. The whole community left Moshe’s presence to create the items, and they did it for one common reason. The hearts of the people were stirred.
It is Exodus 35:20-21 that grabs my attention today. The fact that the hearts of the people were in sync to obey Adonai’s command challenges me. To each one, his heart was stirred and his spirit willing to both give in the offering and join in the services needed. They obeyed Adonai. I am challenged because these days it seems that both offering and service are no longer something quickly obeyed. We desire the end result, but we resist the obedience to obtain the end result. We believe that someone else will give, or someone else will serve, but all along Adonai has told us from the beginning to obey Him.
I want to be one who is quick to have a stirred heart and a willing spirit like the people of Isra’el. I want to be who doesn’t expect others to do what Adonai is commanding me to do. I want to be who will always obey the first time. Oh Father, change my heart so that it follows fully after you alone.

Exodus 35:1-29