We have finally come to the last chapter of Exodus.  It has been a long, good journey through this action packed book.  Now as we look at the final chapter, there are a couple important things to highlight.  

​Have you ever wondered what your God-given gift is?  Have you taken spiritual gifts test to try and get an idea of what your special talent is?  I have, and while they are helpful, they don’t always accurately assess who you and what your strengths and weakness are.  Also, sometimes our God-give gifts are not as obvious as the ones listed on the tests, but rather subtle and seemingly mundane.  

​After Moses returned from Mount Sinai and the people of Israel recovered from his radiant appearance, Moses assembled the people and re-gave them God’s Ten Commandments and then shared with them God’s instructions for building the Tabernacle. Remember, these were instructions God gave Moses back in Exodus 29-31.  However, the Israelites never got to hear these instructions because of their idol worship and rebellion.
 
Now, after a couple months and the death of thousands of their number, the Israelites finally get to hear the message God gave Moses for them.  A message of hope and comfort, since God renewed His covenant with the people and promised to be with them through their journey.  But God did ask one thing of the Israelites.  He asked them to build Him a dwelling place and to contribute to it as their heart led them. Moses was not going to take a mandatory collection, but the people were to give freely and as they felt led. The result was an amazing outpouring of generosity from a previously rebellious people.

​Today we’re jumping back to Moses and his second 40 days on Mount Sinai with God.  If you remember back to chapter 32 and the golden calf situation, Moses had received two stone tablets which contained the Law of God, written by God himself.  However, in a fit of anger over the people’s sin, Moses broke the tablets.  Remember, even though Moses was a great leader and an example for us today, he wasn’t perfect.  Therefore, God commanded Moses to re-climb the mountain and rewrite the two tablets for the Israelites.