Bible records first mention of artist used by God
Many are surprised to learn that The very first person the Bible says was “filled with the Spirit of God” was not Adam or Eve. It wasn’t Abraham. And it wasn’t Moses. It was a creative named Bezalel, an artisan whom God anointed to carry out His designs and ornamentation on the Tabernacle in the Wilderness.
Ex. 31:1-5: Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, 5 in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.
On the surface, this seems startling. But I would argue that in singling out Bezalel in this remarkable way, God is simply reminding us of something He’s been saying all throughout time: creativity is central to who He is and who we are as His image-bearers. After all, the very first thing God reveals about Himself in Genesis is His creative Spirit. Before He showed us that He was loving, holy, or just, God showed us that He is a God who works. A God who is productive. A God who creates.
And then, He reveals that He created Man in His Own Image, both male and female. He commanded them to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. Man in the image of God is by nature creative and is called to be productive. Bezalel was not only talented, which means gifted by birth, (natural gifting), but he was filled with the Spirit in order to produce with the supernatural aid of the Spirit of God.
While some (like Bezalel) may be “filled”, or anointed, for some far higher purpose, all of us are creative because we are all made in the image of God. As Jen Wilkin says, “Even those of us who would not call ourselves [creative] recognize our ability to combine several average things into something above average. We take piles of data and turn them into pie charts. We take eggs, butter, cheese, and onion and turn them into an omelet. We are not creation-optional beings.”
You and I won’t build a literal Tabernacle today. But as we go to work, let us remember that as we create, we are revealing the character of our great God. Let us allow that truth to motivate us to create with excellence as a means of most accurately reflecting our Creator.
The work that Bezalel accomplished brought great glory to God. It also helped people turn their eyes heavenward, seeking the Presence of the Lord.
I believe that the greatest thing that can be said about our art as Christians, is that it glorifies God. Seeing such artwork inspires us. It causes our heart to be reminded of His presence in all of creation. It brings forth beauty that causes people to stop and think of His power, His handiwork, His plan, or some aspect of His character.
This does not mean that the Christian must produce “religious art”. All art that reflects a Christian worldview may glorify God even though it has no religious theme or elements. A simple still life can be mechanical, cold and sterile. Or it can be radiant with light and luminous shadows, colors that sing, and rich color that elevates the soul and reminds one of something produced by the gifting of God.
Too many Christians think that they must produce tacky religious pictures that are on the same level as Sunday School lesson material or bumper sticker art. If we are going to produce art with an actual religious theme, then we must really strive for greatness. If we are going to depict Biblical stories, let them be majestic and great.
Have you ever considered praying before you paint? Have you asked the Lord to anoint you as He did Bezalel? Have you painted a portrait and asked the Lord to help you show forth the beauty of mankind, made in the image of God?
I would challenge you to see your art as something more than a depiction of things. You may prefer realism, but great realism is still an interpretation…not a photographic rendering.
If you wanted photographic art, you could become a photographer. But you are a painter! You are interpreting and creating something that you want others to see.
And don’t make the mistake of thinking that you must paint only literally. That you cannot alter what you see. Bezalel created BLUE POMEGRANATES, among others, when He designed the hem of the High Priest’s garment! Blue Pomegranates do not exist. But God was directing and they were purely for decorative purposes. So feel free to be imaginative and expressive.
What a privilege we have been given, to be able to see and discern and translate what we observe in the material world into something that others can view and be delighted, inspired or even awed.
May you create something beautiful this week!
Blessings,
Mark
P.S. Leave a comment. And check out the website (in progress) for Canvas and Crown Coaching, a faith-based, painting instruction site, which will offer instructional content, a community forum, and superb coaching. And all of that seasoned with a touch of wisdom from above.
https://www.canvasandcrowncoaching.com