#parashathashavua

Parashat Naso

        As we approach the end of the book of Exodus, we read of the Tabernacle being constructed.  In this week’s parashah in particular, we see the human side of this endeavor.  Betzalel and Oholiab, artificers in charge of this multifaceted project are mentioned by name, and the efforts of others involved in the project are referred to as well.  

        The Tabernacle was being built according to the will of God by those He had appointed to the task.  Also, the work was being done with what He had provided.  In Exodus 12:35 and 36, we read, “The people of Israel had also done as Moses told them, for they had asked the Egyptians for silver and gold jewelry and for clothing.  And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked.”  Then, in this week’s parashah, in Exodus 35:4-9, we read, “Moses said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “This is the thing that the LORD has commanded.  Take from among you a contribution to the LORD.  Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the LORD’s contribution, gold, silver, and bronze; blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen; goats’ hair, tanned rams’ skins, and goatskins; acacia wood, oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, and onyx stones and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece.”  God was asking His people to contribute what He had given them to His glory.

        We all have talents, gifts, skills, and achievements we can contribute to our Lord’s glory.  More importantly, we are told in I Peter 4:10 that each of us has received a gift – in context, a spiritual gift – and we are to use our gift to serve one another.  Earlier in I Peter, in 2:5, we are told that we are “like living stones, being built up as a spiritual house.”

        Many of us have heard “sideline believers” who say they do not attend worship regularly because they do not “get anything out of it.” However, these people frequently never ask themselves what they are “putting into it.”  We assemble not simply to be served, but much more importantly, to serve the Lord and others.

        Bud Wilkinson once quipped that “Football is 22 people on the field who need rest and 22,000 people in the stands who need exercise.” To some degree, the Lord’s work is this way, too.  As Yeshua said in Matthew 9:37, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Whoever you are, you can contribute in some way to what the Lord is building up.  

        In conclusion, we read in Exodus 36:5 that Moses was told, “The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the LORD has commanded us to do.”  While our work is ultimately too great to exhaust our efforts, our attitude in offering to God all that we have – resources, skills, talents, spiritual gifts, and even our time – should be such that, when we stand before Him, He will say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servants.”