BEAUTY IN THE CHURCH

BEAUTY IN THE CHURCH

READ:
Exodus 36:1-7

All who are gifted artisans among
you shall come and make all that
the LORD has commanded.
-Exodus 35:10

When my husband, Jay, and I decided to build a new house, we didn't recruit friends and family who enjoy working with power tools; instead we hired a skilled builder to create something both functional and beautiful.

Beauty in the church building, however, is not always a high priority.  Some associate it with impracticality, so anything ornate or decorative is considered wasteful.  But that wasn't God's attitude when He established a place of worship for the ancient Israelites.  He didn't recruit just anybody to set up an ordinary tent.  He appointed skilled craftsmen, Bezalel and Oholiab (Exodus 36:1), to decorate the tabernacle with finely-woven tapestries and intricately designed ornaments (37:17-20).

I think the beauty was important then because it reminded the people of the worth of God in their worship.  During the dry and dusty days of desert wanderings, they needed a reminder of God's majesty.

The beauty created by God's people in worship settings today can serve the same purpose.  We offer God our best talents because He is worthy.  Beauty also gives us a glimpse of heaven and whets our appetites for what God is preparing for our future.  -Julie Ackerman Link

Lord, whether or not we're able to worship in a
beautiful place, we ask You to create in us beautiful
hearts that honor You in our times of worship.
You are deserving of all our praise.  Amen,
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                     Beauty reflects God.

INSIGHT
God is interested in the details, as evidenced in His instructions for the tabernacle:  Sabbath regulations (35:1-3), materials (vv. 4-29), gifted craftsmen (35:30-36:7), structural dimensions and construction (36:8-38), the ark of the covenant (37:1-9), the table of showbread (vv. 10-16), the lampstand (vv. 17-24), the altar of incense (vv. 25-29), the altar for burnt offering (38:1-8), the courtyard (vv. 9-20), and its cost (vv. 21-31).

Have a blessed evening
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace