On the Sixth Day God Created Artists

Because God is creator, we are given the ability to create as well. We are all artists. Our creativity and artistry can be expressed in many ways, from painting to sculpting to master carpentry to music to storytelling to acting to sewing to designing clothes…and the list goes on. Of course the artistic ability we are given varies widely as well. And I believe Exodus 31 gives us great help in developing a biblical view of art and artists.

First, you see there that God called two men by name, Bezalel and Oholiab.  Just as Moses and Aaron were called by God to lead the people, these two craftsmen were called by God to lead in building the tabernacle and everything in it. Bezalel means “in the shadow of God,” and that is where he would stand as he did everything God told Moses to do in preparing this earthly home for God’s presence. Moses did not do it because it wasn’t his job and it wasn’t his gift. The tabernacle needed an artist to build it, not a prophet. Bezalel’s associate in this work, Oholiab, was called to the same task as an artist, and his name means “My Father’s Tent.”  That seems appropriate: in the shadow of the Almighty, Bezalel and Oholiab built their Father’s tent.

Second, notice that these artists were gifted and their gifts came from God. Look at this. God said of Bezalel, “I have filled him with the Spirit of God.” This is only the third time in Scripture that the Spirit of God, “Ruach Elohim,” is mentioned. The first mention is in Genesis 1, when the Spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters. The second time was in Genesis 41, when the Pharaoh said Joseph must be the second in command because where else would we find man in whom is the “Ruach Elohim?” And Exodus 31 is the third time someone is said to be filled with the Spirit of God. But notice, this man filled with the Spirit was not a prophet. Or a priest. Or a king. He was a builder. A construction foreman. And an artist. And under his leadership, men and women would construct the tabernacle and all that was in it.

Don’t think these were men and women who had no ability and God instantly turned them into artists and craftsmen. That would be like me waking up tomorrow and knowing how to build a beautiful China cabinet out of cherry wood. You don’t want me anywhere near that project. No, they were already skilled in these things and God worked with them as he does with us and with our gifts. He refines our gifts and takes us deeper with them and repurposes them for his own glory. He sometimes takes people who have developed good leadership in the world and gives them a heart for leading God’s people with humility. He often takes people who like to serve and shows them how to do that in the church. For his greater purposes. God gives us ability and teaches us wisdom as we use the gifts he has given. The Spirit of God came upon David to play the lyre before King Saul. He didn’t suddenly learn to play the lyre; he had practiced for many years. And at the right time, God used that gift. I know the Bible has a few lists of spiritual gifts, but I think those are descriptive rather than exhaustive. And if the ability to make music or the ability to build something beautiful can be used by God for his glory, and we certainly see that in Scripture, then they are spiritual gifts as well. And if you are an artist, God will show you how to use that gift for his glory. 

All of God’s people have abilities that God has developed for the purpose of building up his body and declaring his glory. We must not undervalue or squander those gifts.