"Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD" (Exodus 35:5).

Upon gaining their freedom from the land of Egypt, the children of Israel were led by God to Mount Sinai where He not only instructed them concerning the law, but also gave them extremely detailed plans on how to build the tabernacle, a place where God would dwell in the midst of His people. The method used by God to accomplish this great task was through His command to take an offering from among the people. This offering consisted of the following elements.

1. The offering was to be given willingly. "Whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD" (v. 5). "And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing" (v. 21). "The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD" (v. 29).

2. The offering was given out of their own possessions. "Let him bring it. . . . gold, and silver, and brass, And blue and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen . . . oil . . . onyx stones" (vv. 5, 6-9).

3. Wise hearted men and women gave of their time and talents. "And every wise hearted man, . . . even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it" (36:2). "And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands" (35:25). They not only gave of their possessions, they gave themselves as instruments of usefulness to God.

4. God raised up capable and wise leadership to superintend the work. "See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel . . . And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship" (35:30-31).

The work was completed (40:33) and God was pleased. "And the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle" (40:34). NPS