Exodus 38:17-20. Part of the description of the work of Bezalel who was overseeing the construction of the sanctuary at Moses' command. Here we learn that the bases of the pillars were bronze, with capitals overlaid in silver; that the hooks of the pillars were made of silver; the 20 cubit by 5 cubit screen for the gate was embroidered with blue and purple and scarlet thread and fine twined linen; and that all the pegs for the tabernacle and the court were made of bronze.

This is part of a very lengthy and loving description of the construction of the sanctuary. It is clearly meant to show us a few things. First, Bezalel, who Moses called out specifically as being filled with "the Spirit of God, with ability, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship" (Exodus 35:30-31) was the right man for the job. God gives all of us gifts and calls us when it is time for us to use them in service to him. Bezalel's work is so beautiful because he was inspired by the Spirit and gifted by God to do precisely this work.

Second, the materials for the sanctuary are so lavish and costly because the people gave so generously towards its construction. When Moses told the people that God wanted a sanctuary built, he asked the people to give free will offerings towards the construction. The people responded so enthusiastically and generously that Moses had to tell them to stop - they had given what was needed and much more. (Exodus 36:3-6). The people are obviously also inspired by the Spirit in giving so generously. They were thrilled to have this project and to contribute to it in order to honor God - so much so that they had to be told to stop giving! The people's generosity made it possible for every peg in the construction to be made of bronze!

Finally, the loving detail with which the sanctuary is crafted and with which it is described shows the importance of the task and of the sanctuary to God and to the people. This was obviously important to God, which is why he told Moses to tell the people to do it; to ask them for contributions; and to choose Bezalel to oversee its construction. Because it was important to God, his people responded in a loving and diligent way.

The result is a perfect convergence of God's will and man's - a beautiful, lovingly crafted space to honor and worship God. What a great reading for a Sunday morning!