John Calvin Commentary Exodus 35:20

"And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses." — Exodus 35:20 (ASV)

And all the congregation of the children of Israel. There is no reason why anyone should be surprised that the order of the narrative is changed, since it plainly appears from many passages that the order of time is not always observed by Moses. Thus he appears here to connect the fall of the people with the preceding injunctions, both with respect to the building of the tabernacle and the rest of the religious service of God. But I have shown²⁹² on good grounds that the tabernacle was built before the people fell into idolatry. Therefore, Moses now supplies what had been previously omitted, though I have followed the thread of the narrative to make it less difficult.

The sum of this account is that whatever was necessary for the building of the tabernacle was liberally contributed. It must be observed that they had departed from the presence of Moses: for we gather from this circumstance that, having individually retired to their tents, they had considered by themselves what they should give. Hence their liberality is deserving of greater praise because it was premeditated; for it often happens that when a person has been bountiful from sudden impulse, he afterwards repents of it.

When it is added that they came, every one, it is a question whether he means that the minds of the whole people were prompt and cheerful in giving, or whether he indirectly rebukes the stinginess and sordidness of those who contemptibly neglected their duty. However we interpret it, Moses repeats what we have seen previously, that the offerings were not extorted by force or necessity, but that they proceeded from voluntary and cordial feelings.

I thus interpret the words, They came, every one, as his heart stirred each of them up, as if he were saying that they were not compelled by any law imposed upon them, but that each one was his own lawgiver, from his own goodwill.

This passage is absurdly twisted by the Papists as proof of free will; as if people were incited by themselves to act rightly and well. For Moses, even while praising their spontaneous feelings, does not mean to exclude the grace of the Spirit, by which alone our hearts are inclined to holy inclinations; but this stirring up is contrasted with the unwillingness by which ungodly people are withheld and restrained.

Therefore, those whom the Spirit rules, He does not drag unwillingly by a violent and external impulse, as it is called, but He so works within them on their will that believers stir themselves up, and they voluntarily follow His guidance.

So, when it is added, whose spirit was liberal in himself,²⁹³ the beginning of good works is not ascribed to people, nor is even their cooperation praised as if they cooperated independently of God, but only the internal impulse of their minds and the sincerity of their desires.

²⁹² See See vol. 2, p. 143, and , and note..

²⁹³ “Every one, whom his spirit made willing.” — A..V..