One key thing that you can gain from the bible about your visual art talent is in Exodus 35:30-31.
This passage tells of what God equipped His artists with in order to do the work He called them to do:
“And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;
And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship” Exodus 35:30-31
I’ve studied this passage for quite some time and cross referenced biblical translations in order to get the most clarity on how God empowered His creative team.
In addition to filling them with His Spirit, God filled the artists with His Spirit in 3 key ways. Below I’ve posted how some of my most preferred biblical translations communicate this. Seeing these translations together should give more clarity on what God gave and will give His artists and designers:
King James Version (KJV):
• Wisdom
• Understanding
• Knowledge
New International Version (NIV):
• Skill
• Ability
• Knowledge
Amplified Version:
• Ability and wisdom
• Intelligence and understanding
• Knowledge and all craftsmanship
I also make sure to check out the original Hebrew to gain even more clarity (I’ve included audio pronunciation):
Original Hebrew:
• Wisdom (“chokmah”): skill, dexterity (pronunciation)
• Understanding (“tabuwn”): understanding (‘nuff said!) (pronunciation)
• Knowledge (“da`ath”): perception, discernment (pronunciation)
The Bottom Line- Here’s What God Give His Artists and Designers:
1. RAW TALENT: God gave you the skill, or basic talent.
2. TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT: He made you able to know what to do with the skill, how to master it.
3. SPIRIT-LED INSPIRATION: The indwelling Spirit of God gives you insight (“inner-sight”), the ability to imagine and give form to the unseen. Many are inspired by thoughts or emotions. The Spirit-led artist/designer is inspired by the inner voice of God Himself.
Share your thoughts and feedback!
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@ Art Roy Remy-
Thanks for sharing this.
Isn’t it great to realize that you’re not walking this journey alone?
Be Blessed!
I was so blessed in reading this. Let me share my thoughts and my testimony that connect to this article.
This is a call to all artists in our churches.
http://applyradicaltruths.blogspot.com/2010/08/when-artist-and-preacher-becomes-one.html
What can I add to this? Other than my Salvation by grace through faith in Christ, this has been one of my power scriptures
It indeed blesses me every time I read it, just to know that I have been “called” by name, just as Bezaleel. Thank you all for “unpacking” it yet again 
Be blessed today
I LOVE when we all chime in like this!
Who’s next?
My dear brother Tony…you fire starter, you.
I thank God for the portion that He has gifted you with.
Brother, you said exactly what needed to be said and then the Lord through His many members…fills in the blanks, so that WE might have a complete picture.
Thank you for being obedient and giving what was given.
Christ, my Bezaleel!
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!
Under His wisdom, talent, understanding, training, inspiration, diverse mediums(thank you Victoria), tutoring (good-lookin’ Techne)…I create!
I am assigned, by God, to Christ…the head Craftsman.
I needed to know this my friend…thank you.
i also like (well, love) how bezale’el (whose name means “under the shadow of the Almighty” – or something like that) and aholiab (whose name means “the tent of [his] father” – or something like that) are the first people expressly identified as anointed by the Holy Spirit for a [specific] purpose.
i like your rather succinct “bottom line”:
1. raw talent
2. training and development
3. spirit-led inspiration
after all, raw talent (or potential) isn’t enough. and training will help develop that talent (both materially/ physically and conceptually/ intellectually). but only the Spirit can breathe life into the work we do, and use it to touch and heal and shift people. that’s why i’m glad that, as part of the lineage i have through bezale’el and the inheritance i have in Christ, i am a co-worker with G-d.
one caveat — part of the calling of the artist is, i believe the last item in the list (which you didn’t include): “the desire to teach”. i believe you miss something crucial when you leave that out.
i break it down thus when i speak on the calling of the artist:
1. filled with the Spirit of God i.e. the anointing – prophetic in nature, i.e. expressing the word of G-d, the mind of G-d, the Truth
2. wisdom (Heb. chokmah) – talent i.e. the potential to make excellent art – skillFULL, artFULL
3. understanding (Heb. toe-bun-ah) – intelligence, dexterity of mind, sharpness of thought; by impl. argument, fr. to separate mentally, to distinguish. this involves – no, requires – research i.e. analysis & creativity (which brings about new combinations). that said, it’s all theoretical until put into practice
4. knowledge (Heb. yada) – this indicates concrete or practical knowledge i.e. know your materials; to know by seeing i.e. observation, instruction, training. it involves learning what is needed to make the art i.e. experimenting and using the knowledge you have stored in your mind
5. workmanship (Heb. mel-awe-kaw; fr. mel-awk or, literally, messenger) – this references craftsmanship i.e. mastery of technique, media; the ability to “say” what you want to say. it indicates a sense of deputyship, i.e. employed (but not servile). after all, a workman is worth his wages
6. inspired to teach (Heb. yara) – literally, “to flow as water” i.e. to rain; figuratively, it means to point out (as with a finger) and, therefore, to teach. this builds community – between artists wanting to share and learn, and others as we seek to educate them about the art and process
just some thoughts…
Amen, brother!
Also, the phrase “…the Lord hath called by name…Bezaleel”
The word “called” speaks of God giving someone a “purpose” in His pre-ordained plan; we are called too something and someone.
And the fact that Bezaleel was called by name speaks of the Lord’s sovereignty to chose whom He desired opposed from men assuming their worth to God based upon their level of skill(this is beloved Son in whom I am well pleased..hear ye Him).
From this man’s “specific call”…many skilled craftsman were invited to labor for the Lord’s goal, so I see Bezaleel more as a Christ-type than as an image for me to gravitate to personally. Christ is my Bezaleel!
Its in Christ that we are enabled to faithful do what the Father requires…Christ is the Master Craftsman.
WOW!
I never saw that until now.
Thanks, Victoria!
Great observation and feedback!
You listed here only 3 when there are 4: you missed this one,”and in all manner of workmanship”. I believe our Lord gives His Spirit to have the craftsmanship like the Amplified Version puts “• Knowledge and all craftsmanship” together. I believe the key word is “all”. Just like all 4 mentioned in your focal verse are all together. I believe this has been part of our difficulty as artists who are Christians, we separate things when it was intended that it be “all” esp in this case all 4. Thank you for your continued challenges and sharing the truth of God’s Word to encourage us and challenge us to step up to what God the Father thru Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit for which we are called to be and do. Joy in Jesus