Creativity is Valuable to God
Did you know that God commissioned creatives in the Bible? Here are three examples:
1. Ezekiel
God commissioned Ezekiel to create a miniature 3D model of Jerusalem and the surrounding areas.
‘Now, son of man, take a block of clay, put it in front of you and draw the city of Jerusalem on it. Then lay siege to it: Erect siege works against it, build a ramp up to it, set up camps against it and put battering rams around it. Then take an iron pan, place it as an iron wall between you and the city and turn your face toward it.’ (Ezekiel 4:1-3)
From this description, it must have taken quite a bit of work and construction to get everything set up and visible for people to see! But this was how God wanted to present His Word – through a visual and creative representation.
2. Zechariah
Zechariah crafted an elaborate crown out of gold and silver and went to put it on the high priest Joshua’s head. It’s just a sentence in his prophetic book, but I wonder how long it took him to craft!
‘Take the silver and gold and make a crown, and set it on the head of the high priest, Joshua son of Jozadak. Tell him this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord. It is he who will build the temple of the Lord, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.’’ (Zechariah 6:11-13)
This piece of craftsmanship was then left as a memorial and a reminder in the temple of the Lord. This sign ultimately pointed towards Jesus who would rule and reign as both a priest and a king.
3. Bezalel
Bezalel was the first person who was filled with the Spirit of God, and it was to enable him to carry out his creative work in the tabernacle!
“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 31:2-5)
Bezalel’s work in crafting the tabernacle and all its components was one of the most significant things that pointed towards the redeeming Christ in the New Testament.
God commissioned these three people to use their creative gifts as signs that would point towards Him.
Your creativity is valuable to God. Creative prophets, rise up!