What Does the Bible Say About Creativity? The Story of Bezalel

A Shout Out To Creatives

Shout out to all my creatives out there. You painters, designers, builders, people who sew, knit, crochet, make jewelry, decorate, work with wood, design clothes, take photographs, or just have a gift for making things beautiful. I have something in the Bible for you today. And it might surprise you. Who is the first person the Bible specifically says God filled with his spirit? Maybe a prophet? A priest? Moses? No. It was a craftsman named Bezalel.

The Surprise First Spirit-Filled Person

Well, welcome everyone. I'm your host, Jacqui Adewole, and this is the Bible Basics Podcast, where every two weeks we break down the basics of the Bible into understandable bite-sized chunks. And occasionally we add bonus episodes like today's is.

Why The Tabernacle Needed Artisans

Today we're going to spend a few minutes in a passage you may have read right past, Exodus chapter 31. Let me just give you a little context. God had brought the Israelites out of Egypt and they were at Mount Sinai. God gave Moses instructions for building the tabernacle, which is the sacred tent where he would dwell with his people and meet with them. And those instructions included some very specific things that needed to be made, like furniture, clothing for the priests, items made from gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood. And this work required people who knew how to make things. And that brings us to Bezalel. Listen to Exodus chapter thirty one, verses one through six.

Exodus 31 And Bezalel’s Skills

Then the Lord said to Moses, See, I have chosen Bezalel, son of Uri, the son of Ur, of the tribe of Judah, and have filled him with the Spirit of God with wisdom and 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. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also, I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you. Did you catch that? God says, I have chosen Bezalel. And then he says, I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge, and with all kinds of skills. Skills for what you ask? To design, to build, to work with his hands. Bezalel was given the leading role. But he wasn't working alone. God also appointed Oholiab and gave ability to other skilled workers. This was a creative work carried out by a community with different people contributing what God had equipped them to do. I love this because we can develop a kind of a narrow idea of what a God given ability looks like. We think about preaching, teaching, singing, leading worship, and those are gifts. But look at Bezalel. He could design, he could work with metals, he could cut stones and carve wood. God equipped him to make things. And Bezalel wasn't simply creating whatever he wanted. God had already given Moses instructions for the tabernacle. Bezalel's creativity was guided by obedience. He used his skill to carry out the work God had given him.

Creativity With Wisdom And Boundaries

Now we should be careful about how we apply this. This passage isn't telling us that every creative idea comes directly from the Holy Spirit. It isn't saying that every creative project is automatically God's work. It tells us that God chose Bezalel for a particular assignment and equipped him with what he needed wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and skill. And I think there's something else here we should notice. Creativity doesn't have to sit in a separate category from your life with God. Maybe you paint, sew, build furniture, design clothes, take photographs, decorate rooms, cook, or even garden. Whatever form it takes, the Bible gives us a picture of God caring about craftsmanship, your skill, design, and work done well. And notice Bezalel's creativity wasn't just about Bezalel. His skill served a larger purpose. What he made became part of the tabernacle, the place where the community would worship and meet God. That's something to think about. Maybe the question isn't simply what am I good at? Maybe another question is, how can I use what God has given me in a way that honors Him and serves other people? Your creativity may never look like Bezalel's. You probably aren't going to be asked to build a tabernacle. But Exodus 31 gives us a beautiful reminder. Making, designing, and working with your hands can all have a place in serving God. What you create can have a purpose beyond the finished object. It can serve people, support worship, meet a need, or contribute to the work God is already doing through a community.

Using Your Gifts To Serve Others

So shout out to the creatives. The next time you're making something, don't automatically dismiss it as a hobby or just something you're good at. Ask God, what have you given me the ability to do? And then how can I use it well? Because sometimes serving God looks like standing in front of people, and sometimes it looks like sitting at a workbench, a sewing machine, a drafting table, or a kitchen table and making something. And if you want more context for Bezalel's story and where it fits into the Bible, check out our episode on the first five books of the Bible. I'll link it in the description. If you're watching on YouTube, you can click on your screen now. Until next time, keep reading, keep seeking, and keep growing in your faith.