A Heart that is Willing
-- T O R A H P O R T I O N --
Introduction:
What does God truly seek from His people: perfection, performance, or a willing obedient heart?
If God had already shown His power, His faithfulness, and His holiness, why did the people still stumble? What was missing? Was it knowledge? Was it discipline? Was it fear? Or was it something deeper within the human heart?
As we journey through this parasha, let us allow the Ruach to search us. May we not only understand what kind of heart God desires but may we allow Him to examine our own.
Last Shabbat, Moshe came down from Mount Sinai holding the two tablets of the Testimony written by the finger of God. But the moment he went down, his anger blazed because of what he saw. The children of Israel were singing and worshiping the molded calf, so he broke the two tablets. He challenged the children of Israel to come with him, whoever was on the LORD's side. But only the Levites responded.
In spite of his anger, Moshe returned to God for the atonement of the people. He offered himself and told God to blot out his name in the Book of Life in case He would not forgive the people for their sin. But Moshe interceded, and God said His Presence would go before them to the Promised Land, so He renewed His covenant with them.
This Shabbat, Moshe stayed forty days and forty nights on Mount Sinai without eating or drinking. He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Words, or Ha-Devarim. Coming down from Sinai, he was not aware that his face was shining. The Hebrew word for shone is qaran, which means “to send out rays” or, in other words, to shine brightly. Why was his face shining, and why did he put a veil on his face after speaking with the people?
Perhaps his face shone because he was holding the freshly made two tablets on which he wrote the instructions of God. In Psalm 119:105 it says that the Torah is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. So the message is clear. The Torah will serve as light for the children of Israel so they could be a light as the people of God. But sadly, they failed because of their wickedness, and that is probably the reason Moshe wore a veil on his face as a message that, in spite of witnessing the wonders of God and the giving of the Torah, they were still blinded.
In 2 Corinthians 3:12–16, Paul explains that a veil remains when the Old Covenant is read, and it is only removed in Messiah. Whenever someone turns to Adonai, the veil is taken away.
Then the offerings for the mishkan and its furniture were repeated. This time Moshe spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel. He commanded them to take an offering to the LORD—whoever is of a willing heart. The Hebrew word for willing is nadib, which means “inclined, noble, generous,” and the Hebrew word for heart is leb, which means “mind, understanding, will.” So the heart that is willing will do its part by:
Giving the Best Offering to God (vv. 4–29)
What Moshe commanded the people to bring was not ordinary but valuable, gold, silver, and bronze. The materials were the finest: acacia wood, oil for the menorah, spices for the anointing oil and incense, and precious stones for the garments of the priests.
God deserves our best offering because it is a sign of appreciation for what He has provided for us. Let us also avoid giving Him our leftovers. Malachi 1:8–9 rebukes those who offer blind, lame, and sick sacrifices. God hates leftovers because the offerings He was asking from the Israelites were for the making of the mishkan and its furniture—the dwelling place of God here on earth.
God is not honored by what costs us nothing.
Are you giving God your best or only what remains after you have satisfied yourself?
Using Their Talents for God’s Ministry (vv. 30–35)
Going back to Exodus 31:1–6, God called Bezalel (which means “in the shadow of God”) of the tribe of Judah, and Aholiab (which means “Father’s tent”) of the tribe of Dan, to lead the making of the mishkan and its furniture. God filled Bezalel with His Spirit, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship. In 35:34–35, God put in the heart of Bezalel the ability to teach, together with Aholiab, and both of them were filled with skill to do all that God commanded.
We all have talents too. It is not wrong to use them in our daily activities like work, school, or career. But our main reason must be to honor God. Within our community, the best thing to see is the combination of all our talents to glorify the Head, Messiah Yeshua.
In the parable of the talents, the servant who multiplied what was entrusted to him heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” 1 Peter 4:10 says that each of us should use whatever gift we have received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
Are your talents building your own name or building the dwelling place of God?
Giving More than Enough (36:2–7)
Verse 5 says that the people brought much more than enough for the construction work which God commanded. This shows that they were excited and glad after knowing that God would once again go with them to the Promised Land.
If they were able to contribute to the golden calf, how much more to the One True God who brought them out of the land of Egypt? This reminds us that when it comes to our contribution to God’s ministry, we should always be excited and wholehearted in giving.
1 Chronicles 29:16 says that all the abundance provided to build a house for God’s holy Name is from His hand, and all is His.
When grace is remembered, generosity overflows.
The children of Israel contributed, the gifted artisans committed to use their talents, and Moshe listened to the command of His Architect, Adonai YHVH, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Now everything was ready, and it was time to make the mishkan and its furniture.
How about you? Are you giving your best to God, your talents, your time, and most of all your heart?
Perhaps the only way to do it is to prioritize Him from the moment we wake up until we lay down our heads. We are not leftovers in the eyes of God, so we should not treat Him that way.
-- H A F T A R A H P O R T I O N --
The Torah portion showed us a covenant broken at Sinai. The Haftarah now shows us something remarkable: though Israel broke covenant, Adonai did not abandon covenant.
Our Haftarah deals with two things. First, it is about the New Covenant. In Jeremiah 3:6–7 the LORD said that backsliding Israel went after idols and did not return to Him. From worshiping the molded calf, the sin of idolatry happened again during the time of Jeremiah, when the children of Israel were under Babylonian captivity.
Since the time of Abraham, God made a covenant with him, extended to Isaac and Jacob. From Jacob came the twelve tribes of Israel. In Exodus 20:1–3, God introduced Himself as the LORD who brought them out of Egypt. He wanted Israel to recognize Him as their God but they broke the covenant.
But God is faithful. In Jeremiah 24:7, He promised to give them a heart to know Him. He would put His Torah in their minds and write it on their hearts. The Hebrew word for heart is leb: mind, understanding, will. God promised forgiveness and restoration.
The second theme is assurance. As long as the sun shines by day and the moon and stars by night, Israel will remain God’s chosen people.
A willing heart means being ready to follow God’s instructions. It is not just about saying yes, as Israel did in Exodus 24:7, but failing to obey.
Before we end, take a look at how God’s promise unfolds in each verse of Jeremiah 31:31–40. Each passage reveals a facet of a willing heart: His faithfulness, the work of His Torah within us, His forgiveness, His covenant security, and His power to restore what was broken.
Jeremiah 31:31–32
“Behold, the days are coming… when I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah… not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers… My covenant which they broke…”
God does not cancel His covenant because of human failure. Even when Israel broke the covenant, Adonai did not break His promise. A willing heart begins with understanding that God’s faithfulness is greater than our unfaithfulness.
If He remains faithful when we fail, will we remain faithful when obedience costs us something?
Jeremiah 31:33
“I will put My Torah in their minds, and write it on their hearts…”
The problem was never the Torah; the problem was the heart. A willing heart is not forced from the outside but is transformed from the inside. When Torah moves from stone tablets to the human heart, obedience becomes desire, not duty.
When Torah is written on the heart, obedience stops being pressure and becomes passion.
Jeremiah 31:34
“For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
Forgiveness is the foundation of a willing heart. Guilt hardens the heart, but forgiveness softens it. When Adonai removes sin, He removes the barrier that keeps us from wholehearted obedience.
A forgiven heart should become a devoted heart.
If God no longer remembers your sin, why do you still hesitate to fully follow Him?
Jeremiah 31:35–36
“Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for a light by day… If those ordinances depart… then the seed of Israel shall also cease…”
God ties His covenant to the order of creation. As long as the sun rises and the stars shine, His covenant with Israel stands. A willing heart trusts in the unshakable faithfulness of God.
The same God who sustains the universe sustains His promises.
Jeremiah 31:37
“If heaven above can be measured… I will also cast off all the seed of Israel…”
God declares the impossibility of abandoning His people. Discipline may come, but rejection will not. A willing heart rests in covenant security but does not use it as an excuse for complacency.
Security in covenant should produce deeper obedience, not spiritual laziness.
Does God’s faithfulness make you more committed or more comfortable?
Jeremiah 31:38–40
“The city shall be built to the LORD… it shall not be plucked up or thrown down anymore forever.”
God restores what was broken. Jerusalem will be rebuilt. What was once defiled will become holy again. A willing heart believes in restoration and participates in rebuilding what sin once destroyed.
The Haftarah teaches us that a willing heart is produced by:
- Experiencing God’s faithfulness
- Receiving His forgiveness
- Allowing His Torah to be written within
- Trusting His covenant promises
- Participating in His restoration
Obedience is the visible evidence of a willing heart.
Would you be willing and fully committed to follow whatever the Ruach Hakodesh leads you to?
Adonai remains the faithful Husband.
Adonai remains the covenant-keeper.
Adonai remains the One who writes, forgives, restores, and rebuilds.
What does God truly seek from His people: perfection, performance, or something deeper within the heart?
Let that question continue to rest on us as we move forward.
-- APOSTOLIC P O R T I O N --
In Apostolic, Paul urged the believers in Corinth that in spite of their diversity in gifts, there must be unity among them since they are granted by the Spirit. Perhaps the issue was envy for some who didn't have the gifts that others have. David Stern explains that Sha’ul reminded the Corinthian believers that all gifts come from the same Spirit, the same Lord, and the same God (1 Cor. 12:4–7). No gift is more valuable than another; all are given to serve the Body of Messiah and bring glory to God, not to oneself. Pride in gifts or feelings of inferiority are both misuses of what the Ruach gives.
Let’s look at the gifts individually and what the Scriptures teach about each:
Word of Wisdom (James 1:5; Ps. 111:10; Prov. 9:10)
Wisdom is the practical application of God’s knowledge to solve spiritual or everyday problems. True wisdom begins with the fear of Adonai and often comes in situations where we need insight beyond human understanding.
Word of Knowledge
This is divine revelation of facts or understanding that can guide decisions, expose hidden sin, or reveal the needs of others. It is useful in prayer ministry, counseling, and witnessing, allowing the Ruach to direct our actions in alignment with God’s purposes.
Faith (Faithfulness) (Matt. 17:20; Heb. 11:35)
This faith is not just trust in salvation or general reliance on God—it is the extraordinary, persistent faith that moves mountains, sustains through trials, and empowers miracles, often in life-threatening or spiritually challenging situations.
Gifts of Healing (James 5:14–16)
God enables some believers to heal illnesses supernaturally, though Scripture does not promise that all sickness will be healed. The gift often involves prayer, anointing, and intercession, showing God’s mercy and power.
Working of Miracles (Jn. 14:12; Matt. 24:24; Acts 16:16–19)
This includes signs, wonders, and extraordinary acts that confirm God’s presence and message. It demonstrates the Kingdom of God breaking into the natural world, often accompanied by discernment to differentiate genuine miracles from counterfeits.
Prophecy (Acts 11:27; Deut. 18:20–22)
Prophecy is not merely predicting the future but speaking God’s truth for correction, encouragement, and guidance. It aligns the congregation with Scripture and God’s will, calling people to repentance and action.
Discernment of Spirits (1 Thess. 5:20–21; 1 Tim. 4:1; 1 Jn. 4:1)
This gift allows believers to recognize the source of spiritual activity—whether from God, human imagination, or demonic influence. It safeguards the community and empowers effective ministry, including deliverance.
Speaking in Tongues (Acts 2:4–11; 10:44–46; 19:6)
There are multiple expressions: speaking unlearned human languages, angelic languages, or miraculous languages. It is a prayer or praise gift that requires interpretation to benefit the congregation.
Interpretation of Tongues (1 Cor. 14)
This gift provides understanding for the congregation, translating the message of tongues into words that edify the Body. When combined with tongues, it functions similarly to prophecy, bringing clarity and instruction.
Even during Moshe's time he needed Aaron's help as his spokesperson. Bezalel needed Aholiab and gifted artisans’ help for the making of the mishkan and its furniture. Similarly, in building a community, we need each other. Not everyone sings, not everyone teaches, not everyone plays musical instruments because we have different gifts and talents. Paul emphasizes that while some may speak in tongues, prophesy, heal, or exercise wisdom, each gift is meant to edify the congregation (1 Peter 4:10–11). When we combine all gifts for the glory of God and the benefit of one another, we build a strong and unified community.
1 Corinthians 12:25
"So that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another."
How is your spiritual gift? Does it benefit the community you belong to?
Let us pray and ask the Lord how He wants us to use our gifts not only to serve Him, but also to serve our brethren. Remember, whether it’s the gift of wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, or interpretation, each gift is given as the Ruach wills and is meant to strengthen the Body of Messiah.
So, going back to my question at the beginning, what does it mean to have a willing heart?
A willing heart is one that not only agrees with God’s Word but actively aligns itself with it. It contributes, obeys, serves, and participates fully in what God is doing.
The connection of Parasha 71 is about a heart that is willing to do its part. In the Torah, the people with a willing heart contributed precious materials for the making of the mishkan and its furniture. In Haftarah, a Torah written on the heart means a heart that is willing to obey the instructions of God. In Apostolic, a willing heart will use his/her gift for God's purpose.
A willing heart does not just speak “yes”, it acts. True obedience is the visible evidence of a heart surrendered to God’s will, eager to contribute, serve, and glorify Him with every gift and talent.
Everyday God is willing to love us, protect us, bless us, and change us, especially our hearts. He wants our hearts to be willing to give everything for Him. And as an expression of gratitude, let us offer our lives to Him and serve Him with willingness and talents beyond what we can give, to glorify Him, for He is our Master, our Creator, and the King of the universe.
As we close this Shabbat study, consider the journey we’ve taken together—from the shining face of Moshe on Sinai to the willing hands of the artisans, and to the promise of a Torah written on our hearts. What ties all these together is one simple but important truth: God desires a heart that is willing.
Not perfection. Not just performance. But a heart that surrenders, obeys, and participates.
- Am I using my gifts to build others up, to serve the community, and to honor Adonai?
- Am I willing to let Him transform the stony places of my heart into a heart of flesh that obeys, loves, and perseveres, no matter the cost?
Ezekiel 36:26 CJB
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit inside you; I will take the stony heart out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit inside you and cause you to live by My laws, respect My rulings and obey them."
The challenge is clear: let your heart be fully willing. Not because God needs it, but because He calls us into covenant love, into active obedience, and into the joy of serving Him with every gift and talent He has entrusted to us.
May Adonai ignite a willing heart in each of us, ready to give, ready to serve, and ready to shine His light in the world.
Shabbat Shalom,
Topher
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Sources:
blueletterbible.org
hallel.info
thebiblesays.com
aish.com
workingpreacher.org
kifakz.github.io
scenichillsblvd.wordpress.com
The MacArthur Study Bible
The Guideposts Parallel Bible
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