Gold, Silver, and Goat Hair

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Are you reading the Bible through with me? Grab your pen and journal, and get ready to write your thoughts as you journey through the Bible.
Read Exodus 34-36. In Exodus 35, El Shaddai (God) tells Moses to ask the people for an offering from those with willing hearts. He then lists many of the precious and valuable things that could be given to build and furnish the Tabernacle, their new place of worship.
Smack in the middle of that list is one item that is neither precious nor valuable, but it was useful. It was goat hair.
Goat hair was common. If a goat brushed up against a shrub, it’s likely he’d leave behind some hair. Why is this important? Why in the world would God want something made from goat hair?
God wants us to know that when it comes to giving, the amount or value of the gift is not as important to Him as the motive of the heart. Some people in Israel were able to give gold, silver, purple yarn, and acacia wood. But some were not as well off. They wanted to share something of value with God, but they didn’t have anything like gold or gems. But they COULD gather goat hair. While it wasn’t valuable, to collect enough goat hair to supply weavers who were making important cloth for the tabernacle was very time consuming. People who didn’t have a lot of resources, could give their time.
Luke 21:1-4 mentions people giving what little they have to God. “As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 ‘Truly I tell you,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’”
When we consider all that God has done for us, we should be willing to give back to Him as an act of worship and love. He never expects us to give what we don’t have, but He certainly expects us to give willingly, lovingly, and to the best of our abilities and resources. It’s the ultimate demonstration of our faith in His provision, protection, and love.
Pray: Jehovah-Jireh (Lord our Provider), strengthen my faith as I entrust every part of my life to you. Remind me often that the simple act of giving is an act of worship. Whether I have great wealth or very little, I want to be generous in giving back to You. I know that when I trust and obey You, You will be my Provider and Protector. Where there is need, may my heart be a willing heart.