I want to tell you about someone you have never even thought about. Someone we actually know very little about. But someone who has inspired me this week.
Bezaleel was a skilled craftsman, or artisan, introduced to Moses by the Lord in Exodus 31.
The Lord said to Moses, “See, I have called by name Bezaleel…and I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to devise cunning works (or artistic designs), to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship…and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee.” (Exodus 31:2-6)
I read this last week and was in awe. Let me explain a little more and then share my wonderment with you.
Moses was commanded to build the tabernacle – which was basically a portable temple. It was a sanctuary with holy spaces which allowed God to dwell among the Israelites as they journeyed in the wilderness.
It was a tent! It had curtains and veils and an altar and the ark of the covenant and a mercy seat and incense and candlesticks, and more…
And all of these physical things in the temple were adorned with the finest cloths and stones and spices and oil and metalwork and woodwork.
And all of these fine cloths and stones and metalwork and woodwork and spices and oil were made by artists!
Not just any artists, but artists whom God had inspired to do this particular work. “Every wise hearted man, in whose heart the Lord had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it.” (36:2)
These capable men and women had skills and talents, and their abilities were coupled with the heart-stirring-desire to come to the work and do it. I think it could have even been two groups of people – those with skills in whom the Lord had put wisdom, and those whose hearts were just stirred up to come to the work to help with it. Maybe the second group had people who said, “I’m not really artistic, or creative. I don’t know how to do a lot of things. But my heart is in this work, and I am here to help.”
I have read about prophets being inspired to preach sermons, about the whisperings of the Spirit leading people across deserts and oceans, about good people crying out to God as they were moved to repentance. But I had never read in the scriptures about God placing wisdom in skilled artisans so they could share in the joy of building, beautifying, and adorning the temple.
Over a year ago, I felt my heart stirred up to create patterns symbolizing faith and the power of God. Last year I worked on those patterns, studying drawing, painting, printing, designing…and I can honestly say I felt God gave me wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.
It is an awesome thing to create. And I believe it is the truest and holiest expression of creativity to make something which you feel inspired by God to make.
I pray that I can be as Bezaleel was. I’ll work on developing my skills and abilities, and I pray that then God will put wisdom in me and inspire me to work for Him in building up His community of the faithful.
I’ll pray to be wise hearted.
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