The Israelites obtained the tabernacle materials from the wealth the Egyptians gave them when Israel left Egypt.
At the exodus, Israel asked the Egyptians for gold, silver, and clothing, and the LORD gave them favor so the Egyptians provided what they required — Israel 'spoiled' Egypt (Exodus 12:35-36). At Sinai, God commanded those with willing hearts to bring an offering of that same material for the sanctuary (Exodus 25:1-8). Les Feldick emphasizes that God planned this wealth for the tabernacle, not for Israel's personal enrichment.
Exodus 12:35-36 — Records Israel leaving Egypt with jewels of silver, jewels of gold, and raiment — the same categories later listed as tabernacle offerings.
Exodus 25:1-8 — God instructs Moses to take a willing-hearted offering of gold, silver, brass, fabrics, skins, oil, spices, and stones for the sanctuary.
Exodus 35:4-5, 22 — Shows Moses repeating the command and the people bringing their wealth as freewill offerings for the tabernacle.
At the exodus, the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses and borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, jewels of gold, and raiment. The LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent them such things as they required, and Israel spoiled the Egyptians (Exodus 12:35-36). Later, at Mount Sinai, the LORD told Moses to speak to Israel and take an offering from every man who gave willingly with his heart: gold, silver, brass, blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats' hair, rams' skins, badgers' skins, shittim wood, oil, spices, onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and breastplate (Exodus 25:1-8). God told Moses to make a sanctuary according to the pattern shown to him, so that He might dwell among them (Exodus 25:8-9). The people then brought these materials as freewill offerings, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and every man that offered brought an offering of gold unto the LORD (Exodus 35:22).
Les Feldick teaches that the gold, silver, precious stones, and fine linen used for the tabernacle were part of the wealth Israel received from Egypt. He stresses that God was instrumental in this: the LORD gave Israel favor in the Egyptians' sight so that the Egyptians gave them what they required, and thus Israel spoiled Egypt (Clip 1, Clip 2). Les says the word 'borrow' in translations is unfortunate because the Egyptians gave it to them gladly (Clip 2). He also connects this directly to Exodus 25, explaining that as soon as Israel reached Sinai, God gave instructions to build the tabernacle, which was literally filled with silver, gold, precious stones, fine linen — all the wealth of Egypt (Clip 2). The materials were brought in by the Israelites, who had received them when they spoiled Egypt, and craftsmen then assembled the tabernacle (Clip 3). Les also highlights that the offering was to come from those with a willing heart, as Moses repeated in Exodus 35 (Clip 6).
When Israel left Egypt, they asked the Egyptians for jewels of silver, jewels of gold, and raiment. The LORD gave Israel favor, and the Egyptians gave them what they required, so that Israel spoiled Egypt (Exodus 12:35-36). That wealth traveled with them to Mount Sinai, where God would call for it to be used in the tabernacle.
Les Feldick says the Egyptians gave it to them gladly. He calls the English translation's word 'borrow' unfortunate, because the people asked and the Egyptians gave out of favor from the LORD. This was part of God's sovereign plan, not a deception by Israel.
Moses told the congregation, 'Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it' (Exodus 35:4-5). The list of materials matches what Egypt had supplied. Les notes this was a repetition of the earlier command, and the people came with willing hearts and brought their gold, silver, and other valuables.
According to Les, God was not simply making the Israelites rich. As soon as they reached Sinai, God gave instructions to build the tabernacle, which was filled with silver, gold, precious stones, and fine linen — all the wealth of Egypt. The spoiling of Egypt was part of God's sovereign plan to supply materials for His sanctuary.
Why Israel Failed to Enter the Promised Land (Exodus 23 & Deut 1)
And oh, listen, that is so appropriate for us today. What's the matter with Christianity tonight? Unbelief, see, unbelief. People just cannot break down and say, yeah, I believe what God says. But they got the intellectual world, with all of their intelligence and with all of their education, poo-pooing the Scripture, and so what does man say? Well, now really, how can I believe this? That's unbel…
Israel Spoiled Egypt for the Tabernacle
Les connects the gold, silver, and precious stones the Egyptians gave to Israel directly to the construction of the tabernacle at Sinai. God wasn't padding Israel's pockets; He was supplying the tabernacle materials.
The Egyptians Gave Gladly, Not Just Lent
Les clarifies that the Israelites asked and the Egyptians gladly gave their wealth; the word 'borrow' is an unfortunate translation. God sovereignly provided these riches so Israel could build the tabernacle.
Materials Brought by the Israelites Built the Tabernacle
Les reviews that all the gold, silver, linen, and beautiful clothing were brought in by the people who had received them when they spoiled Egypt, and the craftsmen then erected the tabernacle.
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And every step of the way God moves in again miraculously, brings them down to Mount Sinai, the fire and the thunder on the mountain. In fact they�ve discovered that some of the rocks up there on Mount Sinai over in Jordan indeed was burned with a fire unlike any other rock formation on earth. So this isn�t just a legend from Scripture, this is pretty well scientifically proven.
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And they no more than get started seven weeks or whatever many days it is from the first of April to the 20th day of May. They pick it up and they move. Now, of course, where are they headed? Well, they're headed for the promised land. And so Sinai, they're going to be heading due north in order to be ready to go in and occupy the land of milk and honey, the promised land.
Willing-Heart Offerings for the Tabernacle
Les reads Exodus 35 and emphasizes that the tabernacle materials were brought as a freewill offering from those with willing hearts — so the source was Egypt, but the giving was voluntary worship.
The Tabernacle Pattern and Purpose
Les introduces Exodus 25:8-9, where God tells Moses to make a sanctuary according to the pattern shown him, setting the context for why the materials were needed.
Exodus 12:35-36: And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.
This is the historical moment when Israel obtained the gold, silver, and clothing from Egypt, making them available for the later tabernacle construction.
Exodus 25:2-8: Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass, And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair, And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood, Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense, Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate. And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
God commands Moses to collect from willing-hearted Israelites the exact kinds of materials they had received from Egypt.
Exodus 35:4-5: And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying, Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass,
Moses repeats the command to Israel at Sinai, confirming the materials were to be freewill offerings.
Exodus 35:22: And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the LORD.
The people responded with willing hearts, bringing the jewelry and gold they had received from Egypt as an offering for the tabernacle.
The materials came from the wealth Israel received from the Egyptians at the exodus. Israel asked for jewels of silver, jewels of gold, and raiment, and the LORD gave them favor so the Egyptians provided what they required (Exodus 12:35-36).
No. Les Feldick teaches that the Egyptians gave the materials gladly, and the word 'borrow' in translations is unfortunate. God sovereignly moved the Egyptians to give of what they possessed.
God planned it for the tabernacle. When Israel reached Sinai, God gave instructions to build the tabernacle, which was filled with silver, gold, precious stones, and fine linen — all the wealth of Egypt.
Watch the Teaching: Why Israel Failed to Enter the Promised Land (Exodus 23 & Deut 1)