Exodus 36:2-7

Exodus 36:1-7 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  Brief interlude from John's gospel for this passage.  I just love it -- how many times in the history of the church has the leader had to step forward and ask the people to stop giving because their gifts are overwhelming the church?  It's crazy to think about, but in Exodus 35, Moses issues the call for people to bring in their gifts to build the tabernacle, and the people are so overwhelmed by what God is doing that they give so generously in the beginning of Exodus 36 that the craftsmen go to Moses and ask him to have the people stop giving -- they're overwhelmed by the gifts.
  This leaves me with a sense of wonder and a lot of questions.  What kind of glimpse did these people get of God that they were so motivated by God's grace and glory that they couldn't stop giving?  What kind of community did they have that encouraged one another, pushing each other to give and to give and to give?  How did they view their own gifts with such freedom that they could give so generously?  What passion did they have for God's greater mission that they could pour themselves out?
  It's a fascinating chapter in the history of God's people.  It's hard to imagine a modern day pastor asking the people to stop giving because they're being too generous.  But here it is, in the book of Exodus, and the question that rests on my heart is simply this -- how do I catch a glimpse of the Holy One so compelling that I want to give this freely?