We are in chapter twenty-five of Exodus with our word for today used for the first time in the Bible. נָדַב impel, incite, stir, make a voluntary decision. It is used 17 times in the Old Testament. We find our word used in the sense to offer willingly or freely to give something or do something. We find it in the context of Nehemiah rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem and Ezra reestablishing the city. Nehemiah 11:1-2 Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem the holy city, while nine out of ten remained in the other towns. And the people blessed all the men who הַמִּֽתְנַדְּבִ֔ים willingly offered to live in Jerusalem. We also see it in the context of the people’s willingness to follow their leaders who were victorious in battle. Judges 5:2, 9 When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people בְּהִתְנַדֵּ֖ב willingly offer themselves— praise the Lord! … My heart is with Israel’s princes, with הַמִּֽתְנַדְּבִ֖ים the willing volunteers among the people. Praise the Lord!
Our word is also used in the sense to prompt or incite from the heart to give. This is how our word is used in our chapter today which is also the first time it is used in the Bible. Exodus 25:1-2 The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose יִדְּבֶ֣נּוּ לִבּ֔וֹheart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me. After this instruction from God we find the people carrying this out by freely giving to support the sacrificial system. Exodus 35:21, 29 Everyone who was willing and whose נָדְבָ֨ה רוּח֜וֹ [literally spirit stirred] heart stirred them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments … All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose נָדַ֣ב לִבָּם֮ heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the Lord had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the Lord. We talked yesterday about the word contribution and how the sacrificial system that God instructed to be set up was supported by people’s gifts. Today our word emphasizes the heart or spirit that moves one to give. I’ll close with God’s heart for givers that he uses to support the church in sharing the good news of salvation through Christ saving work on the cross. 2 Corinthians 9:7-8, 10-12 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work … Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.
