Purpose Study Bible 92: Not a Hobby

As we learned in the last study, the ability to visualize and carry out artistic designs and ideas is God-given. Once God had described what He wanted in the tabernacle, we read,

Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have 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, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts" (Exodus 31:1-5).

God is a superb organizer, so He not only made provision for the design of the furnishings but also empowered and equipped certain people to make them. Notice that He filled the artisans with His Spirit, not to preach, teach, or prophecy, but to engage in creating arts and crafts using precious metals and stones, wood, and textiles.

The creativity for these artists was not a hobby but their life's purpose. What's more, their skill was learned and perfected in Egypt, perhaps under the tutelage of Egyptian mentors. In other words, they learned from "worldly" masters who added their wisdom to God's anointing for the work that was eventually to be done in the Wilderness—another example of God's ability to provide and organize for His own purposes.

What has the Spirit of God filled you to do where art and crafts are concerned? Are you working to make it all it can be, even if that means seeking training from secular sources? Do you treat your creativity as a hobby or as an important impartation from the Lord, to be used for His glory and under His direction? What more can you do with it and who can you teach what you know to do?