Exodus 35
Today's Passage: Exodus 35
Exodus 35 is a beautiful picture of giving and service for the kingdom of God. Moses has spent several chapters giving instructions to the people of Israel. How to live, how to worship the Lord, and how to build the temple. More recently, he has just come down from Mt. Sinai with the ten commandments and a face that shone with the glory of God. Moses addresses the people with God’s instruction and the people respond by giving and service.
“Response” is an important word in this context. Israel just heard from God and received his instruction - the result is a nationwide response. That “response” is worship. Their heart is moved into action because of a revelation from God. Worship is so much more than just singing on Sunday mornings. Worship is a heart that is being moved into action by the person, work, and Word of God.
Moses didn’t demand that people give the supplies, but said, “Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the LORD’s contribution.” It wasn’t forced service, but service/gifts given out of a worshipful heart.
What does your heart posture look like? When you sing on Sunday mornings are you coldly mouthing the words or is your heart engaged in active praise? When you serve in Kids Connect, are you doing so because you were forced to by your Connect Group leader or because you are excited to teach them about Gospel?
I ask these questions not to shame or guilt anyone, but to remind you what worship is/isn’t. When we worship God (in any of its forms: singing, giving, service, obedience, etc.) we should all check to see that our hearts are moved by the right thing - God.
“All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the LORD had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the LORD.” Exodus 35:29
Family Discussion:
What are ways that particularly enjoy worshiping the Lord?
Why is having the right heart so important?
How does God “move our hearts” to worship him?
Written By: Joe Weaver
Exodus 35 is a beautiful picture of giving and service for the kingdom of God. Moses has spent several chapters giving instructions to the people of Israel. How to live, how to worship the Lord, and how to build the temple. More recently, he has just come down from Mt. Sinai with the ten commandments and a face that shone with the glory of God. Moses addresses the people with God’s instruction and the people respond by giving and service.
“Response” is an important word in this context. Israel just heard from God and received his instruction - the result is a nationwide response. That “response” is worship. Their heart is moved into action because of a revelation from God. Worship is so much more than just singing on Sunday mornings. Worship is a heart that is being moved into action by the person, work, and Word of God.
Moses didn’t demand that people give the supplies, but said, “Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the LORD’s contribution.” It wasn’t forced service, but service/gifts given out of a worshipful heart.
What does your heart posture look like? When you sing on Sunday mornings are you coldly mouthing the words or is your heart engaged in active praise? When you serve in Kids Connect, are you doing so because you were forced to by your Connect Group leader or because you are excited to teach them about Gospel?
I ask these questions not to shame or guilt anyone, but to remind you what worship is/isn’t. When we worship God (in any of its forms: singing, giving, service, obedience, etc.) we should all check to see that our hearts are moved by the right thing - God.
“All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the LORD had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the LORD.” Exodus 35:29
Family Discussion:
What are ways that particularly enjoy worshiping the Lord?
Why is having the right heart so important?
How does God “move our hearts” to worship him?
Written By: Joe Weaver
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