Sabbath: God as Artist
Read for This Week’s Study: Isa. 64:5–8, Ps. 51:10, Heb. 8:1–5, 1 Chron. 23:5, Rom. 11:33–36, Acts 9:1–22.
Memory Text:
“One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord” (Psalm 27:4, NKJV).
Key Thought: God as artist? What does that mean? And what does it mean for us?
So far, we’ve looked at various aspects of the Lord: the Trinity, God’s holiness, and God as Redeemer. There is one picture of God in Scripture, however, that is rarely given attention, and that is—God as artist.Many people claim they have no interest in art. Many Christians know little about it. They may know what they like, but that is nothing more than knowledge about themselves. Others acknowledge that art exists, but they never consider its value or relevance. Christianity has often been ambivalent about the arts. At times, the arts have been denounced as irreligious and evil; other times aesthetics have become a secular “religion” with serious devotees. There are also plenty of Christian writers, but they have seldom made attempts to relate the concept of “beauty” to the central Christian doctrines.
“Beauty is truth, truth beauty,” wrote poet John Keats. While Keats certainly overstated the case, God is indeed Truth, and the Truth is beautiful. Creation itself testifies to the fact that God is an artist and a lover of what’s beautiful.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, March 17.
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It is interesting that the study Book is addressing areas/subjects I've never heard about (God as artist) which proved to be very interesting.
God is indeed an artist. Anyone who has driven the highways and seen the formation of the trees and how beautifully they form patterns has to realize that He is. I saw a roadrunner one day, a bird that I thought only existed in the movies. He was a funny looking little bird but beautiful in his own way. The sunrise in the morning over Long Island is gorgeous. All of these things show us the artistic touches of God.
Yes indeed! We see evidence all around us of His Creation. I love the way the sunlight moves through the tree at my window and makes moving patterns in my kitchen! His re-creation of us daily (when we let Him) with a new heart. A heart to serve.
Any one with humour could appreciate the on-going advancements in Art all around the World.
But with such an idea think of the one who put up the heaven and the earth. Most interesting is that with a mere word all was put in place(created). Apart from the human being he handled by himself. Look at the creation; not even the smallest bit can be renovated for the better but in all man has tried to renovate, it has been disasterous instead.
What a perfect artist our creator was, is and will be for ever.
How much then does He deserve all due respect, honor, appreciation and worship than any other on earth and in heaven?
Think of it and may you be blessed.
An artist's ideas, perceptions, and interpretations are brought to life in his/her artistic works. By studying the artist's works, one may have a better understanding of the artist's personality, vision etc. As Christians, we do not have to look far or search for long to appreciate the magnificence of God's creative, artistic work. The Bible makes the proclamation that in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. I think of the beautiful, lofty, snow capped mountains, the lush, green plains and valleys, the amazing, unimaginable planets and galaxies, creatures of all color, shapes and forms. I think of the beautiful hues in the sunsets, the marvelous promise in His rainbows, the and all the different colors that paint God's wonderful creation. I think about us as humans--our uniqueness, our diversity and also our similarity because we were created by our great God.
God's creation speaks volumes about His personality. In every aspect we
see His unconditional love, goodness, creativeness, and that He is God
and there is none like Him.
I want God to continue His artistic work in me. I want Him to paint and color me in his love, kindness, tender mercies, humility and all that He desires for His children. I want Him to draw upon my heart the truth from His word so that I will reflect Him. Like David, I cry unto God each day to create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
The most colored, beautiful art and craft of God is placing in his people clean and new hearts.
I have enjoyed learning about God's artistic powers. He creates beauty in nature as well as in the animals. He created man in His image, even in our sinful conditions, God desires to restore us back to the humans that He created in the beginning. Beautiful sinless people.
God made man to rule over the animals and all creatures He made in the first week.
In our time, parents as well guide and train their children for their future. This is a reflection of God's wonderful and mysterious artistic nature. God is indeed an artist to design such thing in this world.