This section of Exodus has been talking about instructions for building the temple thus far. In this chapter, we suddenly focus on artists and art in the temple. The goal of this study is to see that God has designed everything for Him to dwell with His people. God’s goal and intention for art and artists is clear, and we want to see what God’s design for us is. It also follows that ff God has laid out so clearly what is our plan for our lives, how then should we respond?
(A) God’s Design for Art: Beautiful, skillful, excellent and all-encompassing, just as He is (Exo 31:1-6)
From Exo 25 to Exo 30, we’ve been reading about the design of the tabernacle. We can see that the design was beautiful and purposeful. The design met the intention as determined by God! God’s design for art is intentional. Good art is intentional. None of it is there without meaning or for fun. Every aspect of what God designs is for a purpose. We also see that it is detailed, right down to the smallest details, and is also grand. It can feel a bit over-the-top and extra and we might even feel uncomfortable, but we cannot help but notice that God’s design is full and lavish. He is not stingy. It is also meant to be intelligent and excellent (Exo 31:3). God’s design for art is also beautiful and all encompassing.
What does art tell us about God? What can I learn about God from art? His design for art was meant to be a self-reflection of who He is. We are meant to learn about who He is from His art.
So what do these tell us about God’s design for art? At the simplest level, we can see that God cares about art! For those taking an art-related degree or profession, it is not a wasted degree. We could be too obsessed with efficiency and functionality over form is being challenged here. We tend to see things for their function and not their intrinsic beauty. We determine value only based on how useful it is to me. But read these verses. See how God made things beautiful and demands us to make things beautiful so that we can see Him through it. Have you stopped to see God’s creation?
We worship a creator God and we are made in His image. We are all designed to create. Engineers create systems. Accountants balance book. Scientists design experiments. Everything we do is art. Art is created and designed by a holy God. Everything we do has God’s fingerprints on it.
Exo 31 also remind us that God’s art has standards. His art is excellent. We are also called to strive for the same standards and excellence. How do we approach our job and our craft as God’s people? Are you glorifying God as a student? We throw this term “glorifying God” so easily but it is not Christianizing everything and making things holier than they are. What do your colleagues and peers see when they look at you work. Do they see a perfect and excellent God?
The work of our hands are meant to remind us of this God and cause us to worship Him. All of Israel was organized around this Tabernacle. Do we worship God everyday? Do we worship God in our work this ways?
(B) God’s Design for Artists: Called, enabled, included and commissioned to work for His glory (Exo 31:1-6)
In God’s instructions to Moses, notice the verbs.
Just as God was detailed and specific in His instructions for the construction, so too, were His provisions when He called artists to carry out and accomplish His design!
(C) God’s Design for Us: In relationship with God: through sacrifice, defined by worship and obedience (v7-11)
But what are we to do with these details and design? Exo 31 also shows us how God’s design for the tabernacle is very much tied to His design for His people. Every element was there to build a fuller picture.
The Tent of Meeting and the Tablernacle teach us that we worship what we structure your life around. All of life is meant to be structured around God - being in His presence was the point not the means. Yet, we fit God or our prayers into our schedule. How do we organize our time? If you looked back on your day today, what was it like? Have you parceled God up and fit Him where convenient, if at all?
Exodus has been showing us that holiness is a serious matter. Are we candid with our holiness? Do we treat holiness lightly? Do we treat grace lightly? Do we have a licentious faith? That somehow now that we have the ultimate sacrifice, we can go on sinning? Let’s get real here. Porn, lust, idolatry, pride.
We are sometimes happy to just struggle - and remain struggling with these sins. Is that where we’re at? Friends, we must strive for holiness. We musn’t be content with just struggling, sharing with our accountability partners - that isn’t the more holy thing to do. Are we uncomfortable with such a tone? Surely that’s legalistic and non-gospel-centred. The bronze altar and basin remind us that we die if we are not clean as we come before Him.
Are we dependent on God in our daily lives? Or do we only run to Him in the bad times? Friends, the bread was meant to remind them of their daily dependence on God in the desert. The lamp and incense burned day and night to remind them so keenly - every sense - of God’s presence. Friends, have we made this God a genie, running to Him to meet our needs only when we need Him?
God’s Word anchors and instructs God’s people. What anchors your faith? Is it experiences? Is it community? Is it your inner circle? Is it your life groups? Your ministry? Your discipling relationships? Friends we shortchange ourselves when we base our faith on anything apart from His word! Do we have a high enough view of His word?
Do we have faith that Christ is enough? That His death on the cross fully covers our sins, and not just past sins but present and future sins too? He is at the right hand of God, interceding for us. Cling to Him! Worship Him!
What does your daily Christian life look like? Surely it must be different. Surely it isn’t just head knowledge. The oil and incense set up a pattern of mediation and consecration for us - which is another way of saying, repentance and faith. As we repent and pray, Jesus Christ himself mediates for us as we turn daily away from sin. We are consecrated - made holy - set apart - as we practice this daily pattern of turning from sin and worshipping God. Do our lives smell of God? Does the knowledge and presence of God permeate our lives? Can others around us see us and see God? Friends - that is God’s design - that is what it looks like to glorify God.
This passage teaches us that God has always intended to bring His sinful people to Himself. This is the story of the Bible, of Exodus. He makes it possible. We exist for His glory. This is His design and our purpose in life. Where does your hope lie? Are you fully a part of this wonderful plan?