This word concerning the keeping of the Sabbath, coming before the commandments concerning the making of the tabernacle with its furniture and the garments for the priests, indicates that before God’s people work for Him, they must rest with Him. The way of first working for God and then enjoying grace and rest is according to the law. According to grace, we first enjoy grace and rest with the Lord; then we work for Him (cf. 1 Cor. 15:10). See note Exo. 31:131.
For vv. 5-9, see notes in Exo. 25:2-7.
Although they were gained by the children of Israel while they were in Egypt (Exo. 12:35-36), the materials offered to God for the building of the tabernacle were called heave offerings, wave offerings, and freewill offerings (vv. 5, 21-22, 24, 29; 36:3). All these offerings are types of Christ in different aspects experienced, enjoyed, and gained by God’s people in their practical daily lives, and then offered by them to God. See note Exo. 25:21, par. 1.
cf. Exo. 25:2
The preparing of the gifted workers for the building of God’s dwelling place is mentioned in vv. 10, 30-35; 36:1-2; 38:22-23. See notes in Exo. 31:1-11.
For the building of God’s dwelling place, we need an uplifted and uplifting heart and a willing spirit (Ezra 1:5-6; 1 Cor. 15:58).
Whether or not we experience Christ and offer Him to God is a matter of our free will.
Both Bezalel and Oholiab did the work of teaching. This indicates that in the building up of the church as God’s dwelling place there is the need of adequate teaching (Acts 2:42; 1 Tim. 3:2; 5:17).
Or, craftsman.
