Upon reading this pasuk, one is confronted with an apparent contradiction. Initially we are told that the bringing of the materials was “enough,” implying that the people brought whatever was necessary to build the Mishkan, but not more than that. Then, immediately the pasuk concluded with “and more than enough.” To paraphrase the words of the Or Hachayim – If it was enough it was not extra; if it was extra, it was it was not enough! He offers the following resolution. The Torah is informing us of the unbounded love that Hashem has for Bnei Yisrael. Due to the fact that they brought even more than was necessary, Hashem concerned himself with the honor due each individual Jew who extended himself and contributed towards the Mishkan. Hashem saw to it that miraculously every contribution was included in the Mishkan’s construction. Consequently, the meaning of the pasuk is, that despite the surplus, Hashem insured that the Mishkan encompassed all that the people had contributed. Miraculously, the receptacle was able to receive more than it could actually contain.
There are two factors which contributed to the people’s meriting such a miracle. First, their contribution was purely for the sake of Heaven, free of any personal motives and interests. Second, they performed this mitzvah with an amazing eagerness. As the Ohr Hachayim comments, they all took leave of Moshe with alacrity to bring the material as one. This included every Jew, each one careful not to selfishly deter another fellow so that he could bring a given item in his place. One must always be aware that every act which is performed purely for the sake of Hashem is never forgotten Above. It is recognized and recorded in Heaven, and its rewards are forthcoming and everlasting.
