FEBRUARY 23, 2026 – FREEWILL OFFERING

READ: Ex. 35:1–35: … Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the LORD’s offering … brooches and earrings and rings and necklaces, all jewelry of gold … blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen … silver or bronze … acacia wood … spun the goats’ hair … precious stones … spices and oil … The children of Israel brought a freewill offering to the LORD … And He has filled him with skill to do all manner of work …

Moses finally has the commandments of the LORD carried out. In doing so, he again emphasizes the Sabbath commandment, as a command given to humanity already at creation.

Gen. 2:3 states: “Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.” This took place before the fall into sin.

After the fall, Ex. 16:25ff refers to the Sabbath—before the covenant was established with the Ten Words of God—as a well-known institution during the gathering of the manna:

“Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath to the LORD… Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none… See! For the LORD has given you the Sabbath… So the people rested on the seventh day.”

After the giving of the Ten Commandments in chapter 20, the LORD explicitly mentions the Sabbath rest again in Ex. 31:12–17, with extensive explanation and a warning against violation. This occurs shortly before Moses descends from the mountain for the first time.

Now the Sabbath commandment again receives attention as the only one of the Ten Commandments, once more accompanied by the threat of the death penalty (cf. Ex. 31:14). This underscores that the LORD attaches particular importance to Israel honoring and serving Him in a manner pleasing to Him (cf. Heb. 13).

While we observe the Christian Sabbath on the day of the resurrection of our Savior, let us also observe the rest that the LORD requires with it. In this way, as God’s people in our time, we can direct all our attention to the glorification of our God, who has not only created us, but has also recreated us in His Son through His Word and Spirit.

Is Sunday a joyful day for you? Why?
Sing: Ps. 66:6