Where are the Artisans?

Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the Lord put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the Lord had commanded. (Exodus 36:1)

Imagine a person in your community with a unique skill set, and you are in awe when he completes a project. Usually, we vouch that he is an exceptional individual with a natural talent. Yet, the person is an artisan because only God can instill such a gifted skill set. An artisan practices a craft, typically using his hands to create handmade items. This person primarily focuses on creating aesthetically pleasing objects. Artisans are often highly skilled individuals who deeply understand their chosen art. They work in a wide variety of fields with their hands, including textiles, jewelry, pottery, woodwork, metalwork, and many more. Yet, when God directed Moses to build His Tabernacle, He simultaneously appointed two artisans to execute such a viable project of importance to Him and His people. The Israelites completed this project, the awe-inspiring Tabernacle or Tent of Meetings, in their second year after leaving Egypt. This movable tent-like structure will last for the next 400 years. It symbolizes that God is with them.

The two primary leaders who constructed the Tabernacle, including its fixtures, were Bezaleel and Aholiab. They led the construction of the outward and inward structures of the Tabernacle according to God's specifications. Their craftsmanship was exceptional, and even today, their work continues to puzzle Biblical historians as to how they could produce such fine details without the modern toolset. For example, Bezaleel and Aholiab created intricate objects from acacia wood and then gold-plated each object that went into the Tabernacle. These objects included the Art of the Covenant, the Table of Shewbread, the Golden Lampstand, and the Altar of Incense.

How often in our culture do we emphasize the learned skill sets like doctors, lawyers, and accountants and less on the natural, gifted individuals as artisans? How many woodworkers whose masterpiece flows from their imagination while making you wonder how they perceive such an ending product? These artisans are the true creative geniuses of our community. They are the visionaries who bring ideas to life and push the boundaries of what is possible. They are invaluable in our community, yet we never celebrate their contributions or give them their due credits. For instance, one artisan in my community created a Valentine's card out of wood on my behalf to give to my wife on Valentine's Day. After receiving this creative masterpiece, my wife became spellbound by the details placed on a simple piece of wood that expressed my love. Even today, she displaces it in the living room for others to see.

Think about our community of believers and how many receive favorable status because of their learned skill set instead of the gifted one. If you look carefully, you will notice that we often value one more. So, the next time you attend a church service or community event, see the various members and their roles. Can you identify Bezaleel and Aholiab-like individuals and the value they bring to the Kingdom?

Remember, there is no negative value from God-gifted individuals. So, every believer can exercise their gift, whether learned or God-given, because they are both valuable and necessary to balance our community and provide glory to God.

How often in our culture do we emphasize the learned skill sets like doctors, lawyers, and accountants and less on the natural, gifted individuals as artisans?