Commentary on Genesis and Exodus, Theological treatise · Chapter 25 · Moral observations
6. Morall Observations.
1 Observ. God must be honoured with our riches.
Vers. 2. REceive an offering for me of every man, &c. Whereas God requireth an offering of the people out of their substance; it sheweth that our goods are not ours, to waste at our willes, but God looketh to be honoured with them, and to have them employed unto his glorie, B. Babingt. As the Wise-man saith, Prov. 6.8. Honour the Lord with thy riches, and with the first fruits of thine increase.
2. Observ. We must give unto God with a willing heart.
WHose heart giveth it freely. So also chap. 35.5. Whosoever is of a willing heart, let him b…ing this offering unto the Lord; which sheweth, that what is bestowed upon Gods service, should be given willingly and cheerefully: as it is said in that great offering of David and the people toward the building of the Temple which Salomon made, The people offered willingly unto the Lord, with a perfit heart, 1 Chron. 29.9. and David thus professeth, vers. 17. I have offered willingly in the uprightnesse of mine heart all these things. So the Apostle saith, The Lord loveth a cheerefull giver, 2 Cor. 9.7. B. Babing.
3. Observ. Of the diversitie of gifts, which every man must employ accordingly, as he hath received.
Vers. 3. TAke of them gold, silver, brasse, &c. This sheweth that in the Church there are diversities of gifts: God hath endued some with gold and silver, some with brasse: all have not the like gifts, as the Apostle saith, There are diversities of gifts, but the same spirit, 1 Cor. 12.5. No man therefore can excuse himselfe, that he hath nothing to offer: if he have neither gold, silver, nor brasse, yet he… may bring goats haire, B. Babing. He that hath neither gold, silver, nor brasse, Osserat vel pilas capraru…, & munere suo defunctus est; Let him but offer goats haire, and he hath done his dutie, Ferus.
4. Observ. What desire we should have to the Lords house.
Vers. 8. THat I may dwell among them. Seeing the house of God is the place of Gods habitation, and there is his presence, it sheweth with what delight and desire wee should come unto Gods house, and with what reverence wee should behave our selves there, as Iacob said, How reverend i… this place! …mil. 36. in 1. … Corinth.this is no other but the house of God, and the gate of heaven, Gen. 28.17. So Chrysostome excellently saith, Non est ecclesia tonstrina, aut unguentaria tab…rna, &c. sed locus Angelorum, regia coeli, coelum ipsum, &c. The Church is no Barbers shop, or Apothecaries house, but a place of Angels, the palace of heaven, yea heaven it selfe.
5. Observ. Gods law must be laid up in the heart.
Vers. 16. THou shalt put in the Arke the Testimonie. As the tables of the Law were laid up in the Arke▪ so the Law and Word of God must be kept in a faithfull heart: as the Prophet David saith, I desired to doe thy good will O my God, yea thy law is within my heart, Psal. 40.8. Piscator.
6. Observ. We must readily obey Gods will, as the Angels.
Vers. 20. THe Cherubims shall stretch their wings on high. The Angels have their wings readie spread, to shew how serviceable they are at all appointments, alwayes in a readinesse to do the will of God; to teach us that we also should imitate this cheerfull and readie service of the Angels, in our willing and prompt obedience in the earth: as we are taught to pray in the Lords prayer, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven, B Babing.
7. Observ. To use the creatures of God sobe…y.
Vers. 30. THou shalt set upon the table shew-bread. Seeing the daily bread which they did eat, was made of the same come, whereof the shew-bread was, which was alwayes in the presence of God; it teacheth that we should soberly use the creatures of God, as alwayes being in his sight: as the Apostle saith, Whether yee eat or drinks, &c. doe all to the glorie of God, B. Babing.
8. Observ. That nothing can escape Gods sight, in whose house there is alwayes light.
Vers. 37. THou shalt make seven lamps, &c. to give light. There is light in Gods house: whatsoever is there done, is soone espied: nothing can escape Gods sight: Ne putes te in domo Dei malè posse conversari & occultari, &c. Thinke not that thou canst live wickedly in Gods house and bee hid, Oleaster. Therefore Christs eyes are said to be as a flame of fire, which pearceth and searcheth all things, Revel. 1.14.