John Calvin Commentary Exodus 36:3

"and they received of Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, wherewith to make it. And they brought yet unto him freewill-offerings every morning." — Exodus 36:3 (ASV)

And they received of Moses all the offering. Here is presented, first of all, the diligence and prudence of both Moses and the craftsmen, and secondly, their integrity.

Their prudence is shown in the distribution of the materials among them; their diligence, in the quickness with which they begin the work, without waiting until they have enough for its completion; while they testify to their extraordinary integrity when they voluntarily declare that enough has been given and put a stop to the offerings, lest these should be more than they required.

We know how few restrain themselves²⁹⁷ when an opportunity is given for thieving without detection; and, even if there is no disposition to deceive, yet most people are tempted by ambition, greedily longing for more to pass through their hands than they need. We see, then, how God directed them all to undertake the work of the sanctuary and impelled them to persevere in it by His Spirit.

This grace, however, manifests itself most fully in the marvelous ardor of the people. They were not very rich, for they had no treasures stored up for a long period, and the wealthiest among them had no more than what they had secretly carried away out of Egypt. While the building was sumptuous, they still did not stop contributing more than was necessary, until an edict forbade them.

Such promptness and liberality deserved uncommon praise; therefore, it is more wonderful that they should soon afterwards neglect the true God, in whose service they were so zealous, and fall into foul idolatry. Let us learn from this that the pious zeal, which existed in them for a short time, emanated from the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; and further, that all our best feelings vanish unless the gift of steadfastness is also added.

What follows represents, as by a lively image, as we have said, how faithfully they executed whatever God had prescribed, so as not to vary from it, even in the smallest thread.

²⁹⁷ “Qui gardent leurs mains pures et nettes;” who keep their hands pure and clean — Fr..