The Holy Spirit in Creativity

Scripture Reading: Exodus 31:1-11 , 36:1-7

 31 The Lord spoke to Moses:² Look, I have chosen Bezalel, Uri’s son and Hur’s grandson from the tribe of Judah. ³ I have filled him with the divine spirit, with skill, ability, and knowledge for every kind of work. ⁴ He will be able to create designs; do metalwork in gold, silver, and copper; ⁵ cut stones for setting; carve wood; and do every kind of work. ⁶ I have also appointed with him Oholiab, Ahisamach’s son from the tribe of Dan. To all who are skillful, I have given the skill to make everything that I have commanded you: ⁷ the meeting tent, the chest containing the covenant, the cover that is on top of it, all the tent’s furnishings, ⁸ the table and its equipment, the pure lampstand with all its equipment, the incense altar, ⁹ the altar for entirely burned offerings with all its equipment, the washbasin with its stand, ¹⁰ the woven clothing, the holy clothes for Aaron the priest and for his sons for their service as priests, ¹¹ the anointing oil, and the sweet-smelling incense for the sanctuary. They will do just as I have commanded you.

Part B)

36 “Let Bezalel, Oholiab, and every other skilled worker whom the Lord has given skill, ability, and knowledge for the work of building the sanctuary do all that the Lord has commanded.” ² Moses then called together Bezalel, Oholiab, and^* every skilled person whom the Lord had given skill and who was eager to come and do the work. ³ Moses gave them all the gift offerings that the Israelites had contributed to the work on the sanctuary. They kept bringing him spontaneous gifts, morning after morning.⁴ Finally, all the skilled workers building the sanctuary left their work that they were doing one by one to come ⁵ and say to Moses,** “The people are contributing way too much material for doing the work that the Lord has commanded us to do.” ⁶ So Moses issued a command that was proclaimed throughout the camp: “Every man and woman should stop making gift offerings for the sanctuary project.” So the people stopped bringing anything more ⁷ because what they had already brought was more than enough to do all the work.

 

Key Verse: And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts (Exodus 3 1:3).

Mediation: In the Old Testament a number of instances are recorded where the Holy Spirit bestows a supernatural enabling which enhances natural giftedness. Several of those persons are mentioned in Exodus 31. The  tabernacle must be built as suitable for the awesome dwelling of God on earth. No simple makeshift design conceived by man, this dwelling designed by God was given to Moses on Mt. Sinai by divine revelation. The reproduction of the divine design could only be accomplished by the creative supernatural assistance of the Holy Spirit.

It may be inferred from the text that even before God called Bezalel and Ohinliab to this task they had a natural propensity for the work. For the making of the tabernacle furniture and the intricate weaving for Arron’s garments, the Holy Spirit filled them and lifted them to a new

creative level that glorified God.

I believe that this chapter can be applied to our lives today. Whenever Glod has an important work to do in his larger kingdom, He will both call and equip people to accomplish the task. Usually He will call one who has been faithful in training and the use of his natural gifts. Bezalel and Oholiab’s training in Egypt was God’s preparation for their work to facilitate worship of all the Israelite nation in a suitable place for God in their midst.

Thought for the Day: If we dedicate our natural giftedness to God, then in His own timing, He will elevate those gifts to a higher level and be glorified in them.

* I would certainly fall into this area.- the helper for the master craftsman.  Every artisan needs a support team. These helpers make the work of the master so much easier and quicker. Willing helpers- wives and husbands are also very encouraging.

** Too much giving for the House of God? Wouldn't that be nice today. Daily contributions towards the work of the Lord and his servents.

This was from the wealth of the Egyptians they had received as back pay for about 300 years of slave labour.