Wow.
I had always found it interesting to see the ways that icons occurred throughout the Orthodox Church and how they looked, especially in places such as Coptic Orthodox fellowships since that is the kind of Orthodox experiences I was able to have (as discussed #
7, #
38, & #
39 ). But to see them develop within Jewish synagouges is rather fascinating.
Indeed, it's not surprising when examining the ways that the temple itself was set up with pictures/imagery all around from the Cheribum to symbols of flowers and many other things within the temple. From a purely artistic perspective, what occured there is truly reflective of how the arts are not something that were ever meant to be divorced from the life of believers.
Honestly, I think that even seeing the pics would still shock some people in the sense of causing them to be offended since they may feel that the Spirit of God would not have any necessity for pictures to be placed within a place of worship---especially one dedicated to the Lord. In their view, since they see no mention of art being discussed within the NT, they assume it was not appropriate or that the Holy Spirit didn't cause believers to operate in it. In a practical example, in Youth Ministry, I've often been very saddened for those individuals who often hear I Corinthians 12 or Romans 12 discussed with the gifts...and then hear sermons on how those gifts played out in Acts.
For some (as it was for myself as well growing up), they may not have the gift of wisdom or prophecy---and they may love the arts/wish to use that gift for something such as iconagraphy or similar things.... but they'll always feel that there's no place for them.
My cousin and I loved doing artwork and he's actually an Art Major now---one who was amazingly gifted...and I'd often wonder if the NT would make room for that gift. Others would say "Well, its nice what others do in art--but its not really a gift of the Spirit or something he uses in Acts." That said, I was shocked when I was able to see this:
Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. He has filled him with the Spirit of God—with skill, with understanding, with knowledge, and with all kinds of work, to design artistic designs, to work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, and in cutting stones for their setting, and in cutting wood, to do work in every artistic craft (
Exod 35:30-33).
Exodus 31:2-4 also discusses the same theme. And on the issue, It amazed me to see how the Lord already had the Spirit of God use others in the realm of art----and for those who are bent toward that direction, it is a big deal. The widsom of Bezaleel and Aholiab is skill in supervising and teaching others how to do things, as well as being able to do intricate, artistic things themselves. Another way of putting it would be "strength of capacity" or even "expansion of their minds." In addition, God gave them
understanding, which means "discernment" In this context of building the Tabernacle, it would mean being able to arrange or connect all the different parts. God also increased their
knowledge, which means "a particular acquaintance."
The very God who formed the world, who brought order out of chaos at creation, also filled men like Bezalel (not a New Testament Christian, but an Old Testament believer) to produce works of art...and for others who had that gifting, they don't have to feel as if the Lord cannot use that for His glory. It's why there is now an entire ministry developed called "Prophetic Art" where others will draw during worship services and use their art to glorify the Messiah. For an example of one of my brothers in the Lord whom I met and who does this for a living, one can go here to investigate the ministry
of William Butler.