February 1 - Exodus 35:4-39:1

Ok, so what is a sea cow really?  And, no, the footnote telling me it's a dugong still doesn't tell me anything.

"Everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the Tent of Meeting for all its service...." (Exodus 35:21)

"And all the women who were willing and had the skill spun the goat hair...." (Exodus 35:26)

So even then, at a time when god made his presence so powerfully known, only some were willing to pitch in and help.  I wonder if it was any different then when God was leading them to freedom than it is now?  Did the 80/20 rule apply?  did twenty percent of the people join in while the others watched?

Well, we at least know they were generous.  "And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning."  (Exodus 36:3)

"Then Moses gave an order and they went this word throughout the camp:  'No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.'  And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work." (Exodus 36:6-7)

Would we ever give enough that we'd be asked to stop?  Do we have leaders who would ask us to stop?  Let's find out.