Verse 2
Exodus 35:2. Six days shall work
be done — Work for the
tabernacle, but on the seventh
day they must not strike a
stroke, no, not at the
tabernacle work; the honour of
the sabbath was above that of
the sanctuary.
Verse 3
Exodus 35:3. Ye shall kindle no
fire — For any servile work;
throughout your habitations —
No, not for the service of the
tabernacle, as for the heating
of tools, or the melting of
metals, or other things
belonging to it; which being
made for God’s service, and
deserving and requiring all
expedition, they might probably
conceive that such work might be
done upon that day. And here
also, as often elsewhere, under
one kind of work, lighting a
fire, every other kind is
comprehended and forbidden. It
is justly observed by Mr. Scott
here, “If the kindling of fires
in general on the sabbath days
be here understood to be
prohibited, it must either be
viewed as a mere temporary
institution, to continue only
during the time when the people
were miraculously provided for
in the wilderness; or that some
exceptions were allowed in
favour of the sick, infirm, and
children, who must suffer
extremely, at some seasons, even
in warm climates, for want of
fire; or that a fire which was
burning might be kept up, though
a fresh one might not be
kindled.” It is remarkable that
“the subsequent parts of
Scripture give no light on this
subject,” further than that,
“among the various instances
recorded of the Israelites being
reproved, and individuals
punished, for neglecting to
sanctify the sabbath, this is
not once mentioned. The modern
Jews understand the prohibition
literally, yet they use fires in
various ways on the sabbath, but
employ other persons to kindle
them, or to keep them up.”
Verse 21-22
Exodus 35:21-22. Every one whom
his spirit made willing — What
they did they did cheerfully.
They were willing; and it was
not any external inducement that
made them so, but their spirits.
It was from a principle of love
to God and his service; a desire
of his presence with them by his
ordinances, gratitude for the
great things he had done for
them, and faith in his promises
of what he would do further.
Verse 30
Exodus 35:30. The Lord hath
called Bezaleel — And those whom
God called by name to this
service, he filled with the
Spirit of God, to qualify them
for it. The work was
extraordinary which Bezaleel was
designed for, and therefore he
was qualified in an
extraordinary manner for it.
Thus when the apostles were
appointed to be master-builders
in setting up the gospel
tabernacle, they were filled
with the Spirit of God in wisdom
and understanding. |