Cooperation

Then Moses said to the whole community of Israel, “This is what the LORD has commanded: Take a sacred offering for the LORD. Let those with generous hearts present the following gifts to the LORD: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet thread; fine linen and goat hair for cloth; tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather; acacia wood; olive oil for the lamps; spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; onyx stones, and other gemstones to be set in the ephod and the priest’s chestpiece. [Exodus 35.4-9]

I like to consider what the exodus of Israel from Egypt looked like. Their departure must have been a spectacular sight. To have left on such short notice and still have had enough materials to give generously toward the construction of the tabernacle is worthy to be pondered.

Tell all the Israelite men and women to ask their Egyptian neighbors for articles of silver and gold.” (Now the LORD had caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the people of Israel. And Moses was considered a very great man in the land of Egypt, respected by Pharaoh’s officials and the Egyptian people alike.) [Exodus 11.2-3]

And the people of Israel did as Moses had instructed; they asked the Egyptians for clothing and articles of silver and gold. The LORD caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the Israelites, and they gave the Israelites whatever they asked for. So they stripped the Egyptians of their wealth! [Exodus 12.35-36]

What particularly piqued my interest today was the fact that the Israelites also had acacia wood to contribute. What did that look like? Did they carry boards of raw acacia away from Egypt? Did they carry logs? Or did they harvest acacia wood sometime after the Red Sea crossing?

Of course the sheer volume of people (600,000 men plus women and children) made it possible to carry an enormous amount of goods - even if there were not many wagons. But, how many of the Israelites would have actually had wagons (could the wagons have been constructed from acacia wood that would have been used on the Tabernacle?)?

No doubt, there was enough bounty from Egypt that construction of the Tabernacle was no big deal - in fact, the people had to be told to stop giving materials because the leaders had acquired more than enough. Wow.

If I were to make a point today, it would be that there is power in numbers. Obviously, the Israelites had some forewarning they would be leaving permanently, but, all things considered, it still happened fast. The fact of Israel's cooperation to contribute enough materials to build the Tabernacle speaks clearly of the power of cooperation. Hmm.

Father, help Your people today to understand the principle of cooperation. More than at any time in history, it is necessary that Your people cooperate with each other for the purpose of Your Kingdom!