The Lord has chosen Bezalel . . . and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills. Exodus 35:30–31
“I’m always in pursuit of something I can’t achieve, which is sad really.” A British actor was discussing how his perfectionism drives him to be involved in every detail of his films. This internal pressure to always do better leaves him feeling “creatively completely dead” by the end of his projects.
The Israelites were faced with a huge and demanding creative project too. God had instructed them in great detail about how to make the tabernacle, which would become His dwelling place with them. Yet Moses told the people, “The Lord has chosen Bezalel . . . and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze” (Exodus 35:30–32).
Moses acknowledged that Bezalel, and many others, had been given their creative talents by God (v. 34). I can’t help wondering if that was a key factor in this enormous, intricate project ending in blessing rather than in exhaustion (39:43). It meant that the people used the gifts, time and resources they’d been given from the Lord, for the Lord (36:2–5).
What creative talents and passions has God given to you? Singing, drawing, painting, dancing, crafting, acting or something else? All bring refreshment and blessing when they become expressions of our love for God. That’s what makes every creative work perfect.
By Chris Wale
REFLECT & PRAY
How does using your creativity for God elevate your talents and experience? What creative act can you accomplish today to bring refreshment and joy to yourself and others?
Dear God, thank You for gifting me with my talents and creative interests. Help me to see the quality of everything I do when I seek to bring You glory.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
God is interested in the details, as evidenced in His instructions for the tabernacle: Sabbath regulations (35:1-3), materials (vv.4-29), gifted craftsmen (35:30–36:7), structural dimensions and construction (36:8-38), the ark of the covenant (37:1-9), the table of showbread ( vv.10-16), the lampstand (vv.17-24), the altar of incense (vv.25-29), the altar for burnt offering (38:1-8), the courtyard (vv.9-20), and its cost (vv. 21-31).
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