WHO ARE CALLED CRAFTSMEN AND WHAT ARE WE HERE TO DO?
“and every craftsman in whom the LORD has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded.”
Craftsman: a worker skilled in a particular craft. a person who is skilled, especially someone who makes things by hand: master/skilled.
Artists often times do not know (or is not often talked about) that artists/craftsmen served a very important role in the Bible in one of the most important moments in the Bible: the building of the tabernacle; the covenant. The vision was given to Moses but he did not have what was required to actually bring the vision into fruition. Craftsmen did. Which ones? The ones who were CALLED BY THE LORD and given wisdom of all types of craftsmanship (ex. 35, he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs).
Exodus 35: 30- 35
Exodus 36: 1
Art is a powerful tool and God wants to talk to the world through it but how many people know this and are aligned with His will and ready to ‘build the tabernacle’ ? The tabernacle being a metaphor for what He has called us to do with specific instructions so that He can ‘dwell in it’ (use for His perfect will). What intelligence and knowledge of craftsmanship has He given you and how are you using it? The building of the tabernacle shows the important and precious role that we as artists have. Art is not about making pretty things for people’s enjoyment and mass consumption. Art should not be confined by what society says it is nor by this rat race to 'be the best' or well known by society. Art is a carrier, what is your art carrying?
There are many aspects to art and what it can do. We all know and have seen how INFLUENTIAL art is. Every social movement has had art in them mix, like propaganda during Hitler’s reign. Art is used to help heal. Art is used to communicate, influence and carry.
THIS IS A CALL FOR ALL CALLED CRAFTSMEN TO COME FORTH, ANSWER HIS CALL AND CARRY OUT THE INSTRUCTIONS HE HAS GIVEN YOU. Artists of ALL KIND, seek the Lord. Go to the secret place and find out what He has to say. He will give you His spirit, skill, intelligence and knowledge to devise artistic designs that He wills you to do so that He may dwell amongst the people.
Let us navigate what it is to truly submit our skills and talents to the Lord and encourage each other to create what He has instructed us to do and finish our race well as CALLED CRAFTSMEN.
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