Meditations on God’s Creativity and Exodus
Written by Gabby Douthitt, published May 2021
The first ten words of the Bible go like this: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” From the opening of the Bible, the most divinely epic story, we see that God is the original creative. His first project is the earth we inhabit and the heavens for which we long. The earth He created is full of majestic sights, unique animals, and every wonderful and beautiful human. Heaven is something along the lines of streets of gold and gemstone-adorned walls and white robes for everyone. The Bible itself is stocked with some of the most poetic moments and striking phrases. For me, while reading Exodus this past month, I was consistently awed by the way God shows love and nearness to his people through His creativity.
“And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.” Exodus 25:8-9
Specifically, these verses lead the instructions that God gives to Moses regarding the design and construction of the tabernacle. Excitingly, God asks for this structure to be made so that He can dwell within the midst of the people of Israel. God asks for contributions of gold, silver, and bronze. Blue, purple, and scarlet yarns and fine linen. Goats’ hair, rams’ skins, and goatskins. Acacia wood, oil, spices, and onyx stones.
Chapters 25-30 include God’s specific instructions, down to measurements of curtains, colors of priestly garments, and steps for assembly. I had glossed over this part of scripture before, uninterested in something that I would never see and felt didn’t apply to me. But this time, I responded in praise to God, each day journaling something like:
“You are the architect! Every creative instinct in this world is meant for your glory and to praise you.”
“We are called to dedicate the things we love to you. Every gift can be used for your good.”
“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” Exodus 40:34-35
At the end of all of this, God does exactly what He said He would—He dwells in the Tabernacle and with his people.
Imagining the beauty of the finished tabernacle with God dwelling inside, according to the instructions so precisely articulated by our Father, changed the way I view creativity. Further, this interpretation of scripture through a lens of imaginative awe reignited encounters with the Word not focused on finding applications to my life but instead focused on simply praising the Lord for what He has done and what He will do.
I think more than this, God showed me how to praise Him for His ancient art and architecture to teach me to praise Him for the art and architecture happening in my own life. I’m living in a season in which I have experienced freedom in Christ in new and exciting ways—through community, through the realization of my gifts, through restored relationships. God’s creative plan and work in every season of my life is even more beautiful than the tangible manifestation of the tabernacle.
“For Aaron’s sons you shall make coats and sashes and caps. You shall make them for glory and beauty.” Exodus 28:40
This part of scripture also brought me to thinking about what it means to be a creative on earth. Before these realizations while reading Exodus, I was never really comfortable with calling myself a creative. I know that my best creative act cannot compare to the Creator, the One who created me and any creativity I may have. But, I think our human creativity is part of how we bear the image of Christ. Our skills, impulses, passions, and ideas reflect those of the Most High. To be a creator is to bear that aspect of His image. Creating for “glory and beauty” is worshipful, fosters intimacy with Christ, and allows us melt into the genius and complexity of God’s own creation.
So whether you write, draw, paint, sculpt, sing, act, rap, photograph, or do anything creative, remember that you bear the image of the Creator who made the heavens and the earth, gave the specifications of the tabernacle to Moses, and wrote the most epic story of death, resurrection, salvation, and redemption. Praise God the Creator!