The Law of Bezalel: How Artistic Talent Reflects God Himself
There is a name in the Bible that represents the art – Bezalel. It is the name given to the father of the Arts by the Creator Himself.
He was born in Egypt in a Jewish family approximately 35 centuries ago. Despite his origins in the remote past, his name is well-known in modern Israel. The Jerusalem Academy of Arts, streets in some cities named after him.
So, who was Bezalel? Why did he become famous? Why does Jewish tradition say that the Eternal God had written his name in The Book of Kings and Prophets of Israel?
“See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah” (Ex. 31:2).
In calling Bezalel by name, God declared His calling to the artist He chose to create the sanctuary – (Mishkan), for God.
The Tabernacle built by Bezalel was a reflection of God’s temple in the heavens, a work of art of the highest quality.
God had filled Bezalel with the Spirit, skills, ability, knowledge in all kinds of crafts. In other words, God Himself was the source of all of Bezalel’s gifts. The Holy One of Israel was Bezalel’s inspiration. There had been nothing like this project in the whole history because God Himself had ordered it.
The LORD said to Moses and all Israel, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah” (Ex. 31:2).
It is not just one of the numerous genealogies found in the Torah. It is a special list of names. As we ponder the meanings of them, we discover something important.
Why does God pay so much attention to names? Because in the beginning, God created all things by giving them their names. To bestow a name means - to establish.
It is the process of God’s creation. A name is a determination; it establishes a law of definition for the thing so named. By naming His creation, God ordains laws, determines the boundaries for everything He creates.
When God gave the Levites His laws and decrees for ministering in the sanctuary and serving as priests in the temple, He gave the law of creativity for the omanim – the artists. The name Bezalel containing this law.
Each letter and each word combined to form the name Bezalel, his genealogy is a practical instruction. He gives it to a man, and by doing so, He establishes in him the foundation and forerunner of all art.
The law of creativity or the law of Bezalel has the same importance for artists as do the laws of purity and sacrifices for the priests serving in the temple. With it, we can see the qualities of an artist from God’s point of view.
In coming blog posts, we are going to explore the four names of Bezalel’s genealogy and reveal through them the message of creativity from the Creator to men: “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah” (Ex. 31:2).
Source: BEZALEL – Son of Light