Last few weeks of school = teachers procrastinating and heaping tons of work, yes?

God bless!

Pray that He’ll give you the strength you need until the end ^^

-Love, GinniePark

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Memory Verse of the Week:

“They will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God.” – Exodus 29:46

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Art in Worship – Exodus 31:1-11

God-Given Talent

1: “Then the LORD said to Moses,”

2: “’See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,”

3: “and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge, and with all kinds of skills – “

4: “to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver, and bronze,”

5: “to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.”

6a: “Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him.”

God-Given Direction

6b: “Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you:”

7: “the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent – “

8: “the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense,”

9: “the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand – “

10: “and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests,”

11: “and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you.’”

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Reflection

God-Given Talent (31:1-6a)

God is the Creator; therefore, it stands to reason that He is also creative. In fact, it is through the Genesis story that we see God’s creative force in full power and beauty. In today’s passage, God reveals that the same creativity is also imparted unto man for the purposes of worship and the enjoyment of life. God has gifted Bezalel and Oholiab with the talent to create beautiful works of art in all areas of craftsmanship so that that might incorporate it into the worship of the living God. Art has always been a big part of human culture and is an expression of the creativity that comes from God. As beings created in the image of the Creator God, mankind has also been imparted with creativity; there are so many gifted artists in the world. What a sight it would be if all artists around the world gathered together to unite in worship of our Creator God!

God-Given Direction (31:6b-11)

In a relativistic world, it is hard to determine what is truly “art.” Several cultural icons have claimed that it depends on the person, time, and taste. However, what is clear in worship is that not everything goes. God has given us talents and gifts to enjoy life and to worship Him. He has also given us guidelines on what is appropriate and what is not. We must be wise, however, in discerning what is appropriate biblically as opposed to what is appropriate culturally. The former is God’s direction that we must obey; the latter is preference that we can negotiate. In a modern world where cultures are coming together, we must be wise. What is different from our culture is not necessarily wrong, but blind acceptance for fear of offending others is also unwise. Let us worship God in all the ways that He has made His people to worship.

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Application

-How does your church appreciate the gifts and talents of the artists of your congregation? Are there opportunities in your church for arts to enhance the worship service?

-How can we appreciate the art of other cultures as worship becomes more multi-cultural? What are the biblical guidelines and principles for worship?

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“Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better.”

-André Gide

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God Enables Us

Mankind has created many amazing structures. The pyramids of Egypt and Mexico, castles throughout Europe, the Great Wall of China, the Machu Picchu, the Moai heads on Easter Island, and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil are just some examples of human ingenuity. Those who designed and crafted these fantastic structures were indeed clever, but who enabled them to build them?

The simple truth of the matter is that we have not all been created the same. Some are more gifted in certain areas than others. Some become dominating athletes in their sport, while others are gifted in awe-inspiring artistic skills or outstanding intelligence. God has a different plan for each of us. Just as the body is made up of many different parts with different functions, we too have differing functions and roles as the body of Christ. And God wonderfully equips us and enables us to fulfill our callings, whatever they may be.

Ruth Bryan writes of Exodus 31:3-6; 35:25, 26; and 36:2, “How encouraging to read of the Lord putting wisdom into the hearts of men and women to guide their hands, though their work was for the Tabernacle, and ours for the circumstances in which He has placed us, saying, ‘Occupy until I come.’ He will as really instruct us as He did them.” This is our comfort in reading Exodus 31: just as the Lord equipped people for His purpose then, He continues to equip us now.

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A Letter to God

Dear God, thank You for giving me the ability to express myself through art, for all beautiful things, and for inspiration.

I pray that whatever I create with my hands would be a pleasing offering to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.