The Heart: Generous, stirred, willing

It is very interesting that in the context of law there is so much said about the heart. Moreover, there is a repeated theme in 35:4-36:7 of the people's free will offerings. The stipulation for these offerings is simple, "Whoever is of a generous heart..." (35:5). 

Then 35:21, "And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him..."

And v. 22, "All who were of a willing heart..."

Then v. 29, "All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything..."

Then 36:2, "every craftsman in whose mind the LORD had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work."

God is not after His people's rigid conformity to laws devoid of affectionate devotion to Him. Wooden obedience is not worship. Going-through-the-motions-obedience is not worship. How big a problem did the prophets have with that! (cf. Micah 6:1-8). He has given laws concerning idolatry and Sabbath in order to guide the people to worship that is proper and true. In that same wind there is a constant repeat of this willing heart. The will is being stirred up and the LORD delights in their worship (and by His gracious initiative, 36:1-2). It strikes me that in the context of law this theme of heart emerges again and again.

And I cannot end the post but by praising Jesus Christ for being our reference of true worship. Because of Him we are given a new heart and a new spirit within us (Ezek. 38:25-28)... and it is more than willing, it is resolute and jealous for the glory of God. May His Spirit fill us anew today, so that we have all joy and peace in believing and power to abound in hope.