Creating to Give Thanks

“And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass, And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair, And rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins, and [acacia] wood, Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense, Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the [high priest’s] ephod, and in the breastplate. And let them make me a sanctuary [tabernacle]; that I may dwell among them.”

Exodus 25:1-8

The Great Jehovah, under the direction of His Father, created all things – the heavens above, the earth, and all things in and on the earth.

In order for Him to dwell with Israel here on Earth, He asked the Israelites to create something back. A gift to the Lord. An habitation for His presence. Creation to express gratitude for THE Creation. And He asked it to be done with a willing heart. There wasn’t a tax or a levy. Individuals and families were asked to give a freewill offering in order to create the Tabernacle.

Perhaps our mortal attempts to create and be creative have a place in our personal worship.

A life-size replica of Israel’s tabernacle (with less gold) toured the country a few years ago.
Samuel Paladin Written by: