Exodus 35:1
And Moses gathered all the congregation... Moses gathered men, women, and children together to hear the Torah. We all suffer as a result of each other's wickedness, but every individual is responsible for his own obedience to God. A man cannot be held responsible for his wife's sins, nor can a woman be held responsible for her husband's. He is responsible for how he loves and leads his wife, and she is responsible for how she respects and obeys her husband.
Exodus 35:5
...whosoever is of a willing heart... God invited every individual man, woman, and child to donate the materials of the Tabernacle: the metals, fabrics, oil, spices, and gems, all of the things that, together, symbolize a complete and balanced child of God. They also symbolize the roles of husband, wife, and children in a family. God wanted free-will offerings, because he does not force us to become the people he wants us to be.
A man cannot be forced to love his wife; he must choose to love her. She can manipulate him and cajole him, but the result is not real love. It is form without substance. Likewise, a woman cannot be forced to submit to her husband's rule. A man can certainly try to force his wife to submit, but he will fail. He can beat her, threaten her, or manipulate her, but he will never have true submission from the heart. Either she will resist to the point at which he is no longer willing to keep her as his wife or else she will become someone else, someone much less than the woman he married.
The Price of Patriotism and Leadership
Exodus 30:12
…every man a ransom for his soul… Although the King James translators chose to put “children” here instead of “sons,” the remainder of the text is clear that males are intended. This tax was only levied against men who were able to fight. No women or children were included. The resulting count of half-shekels was no doubt used to assign the leaders of tens, hundreds, and so forth, as well as to estimate the nation’s fighting strength. Women and children were not counted, because they did not participate in combat except in the most extreme circumstances. The half-shekel was silver, representing the blood of the donor. It was a statement of patriotism, of willingness to defend Israel to the death if required.
Exodus 30:20
When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation... Bronze represents judgment, and the priests were to wash in the bronze basin before ministering before God on behalf of the people. This is the same principle in effect when Peter wrote that "judgment must begin at the house of God." The more authority one has, the more responsibility and accountability. A husband and father must undergo judgment and purification before he is fully competent to judge and purify his family. A leader must be judged and found competent before he is placed in charge of a congregation.
…every man a ransom for his soul… Although the King James translators chose to put “children” here instead of “sons,” the remainder of the text is clear that males are intended. This tax was only levied against men who were able to fight. No women or children were included. The resulting count of half-shekels was no doubt used to assign the leaders of tens, hundreds, and so forth, as well as to estimate the nation’s fighting strength. Women and children were not counted, because they did not participate in combat except in the most extreme circumstances. The half-shekel was silver, representing the blood of the donor. It was a statement of patriotism, of willingness to defend Israel to the death if required.
Exodus 30:20
When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation... Bronze represents judgment, and the priests were to wash in the bronze basin before ministering before God on behalf of the people. This is the same principle in effect when Peter wrote that "judgment must begin at the house of God." The more authority one has, the more responsibility and accountability. A husband and father must undergo judgment and purification before he is fully competent to judge and purify his family. A leader must be judged and found competent before he is placed in charge of a congregation.
Defending the Patriarchy
Exodus 27:21
Aaron and his sons shall order it... Not Aaron and his daughters, but Aaron and his sons. There are certainly times when righteous women can and should be in positions of authority, but the example repeatedly given by God is that, under all normal circumstances, men are to order the government, the congregation, and their families.
Aaron and his sons shall order it... Not Aaron and his daughters, but Aaron and his sons. There are certainly times when righteous women can and should be in positions of authority, but the example repeatedly given by God is that, under all normal circumstances, men are to order the government, the congregation, and their families.
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