Exodus 35:20-29 (ESV)

Then all the congregation of the people of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD's contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments. So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the LORD. And every one who possessed blue or purple or scarlet yarns or fine linen or goats' hair or tanned rams' skins or goatskins brought them. Everyone who could make a contribution of silver or bronze brought it as the LORD's contribution. And every one who possessed acacia wood of any use in the work brought it. And every skillful woman spun with her hands, and they all brought what they had spun in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. All the women whose hearts stirred them to use their skill spun the goats' hair. And the leaders brought onyx stones and stones to be set, for the ephod and for the breastpiece, and spices and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense. 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.

Wow – most successful fundraiser ever. The people bring in much more gold than they did for the golden calf. Then they only gave up their earrings; this time they haul in the good stuff. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the LORD.

For most things, there’s 100 percent participation too. And every one who possessed blue or purple or scarlet yarns or fine linen or goats' hair or tanned rams' skins or goatskins brought them. Everyone who could make a contribution of silver or bronze brought it as the LORD's contribution. And every one who possessed acacia wood of any use in the work brought it. And every skillful woman spun with her hands, and they all brought what they had spun in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen.

Not bad for a bunch of stiff-necked people, eh? Is this a change in heart?

Well, yes and no. Obviously, they’re doing the right thing. They’re embarrassed about the golden calf and repentant about it, but as we will see, the change isn’t permanent. That’s spiritual immaturity.

They’re just living in the moment. They’ll shift to grumbling as soon as conditions warrant.

This is why it’s so important for the church to teach sound Christian theology, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. – Ephesians 4:14 (ESV)

Pray for teaching ministries: Sunday School, sermons, Bible studies, even these devotionals. Ask God to keep us from error. Ask Him to bless our preparation and give us clear thinking and clear communication.

May we all learn and grow in maturity and stability of faith.

The weekly study guides, which include all six devotionals plus related questions for discussion or meditation, are available for download here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies