Did God directly inspire the skill of craftsmanship in people like Noah, Oholiab and Bezalel or did they develop these abilities naturally over time?
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In the Bible, certain individuals are described as having exceptional skill in craftsmanship. For example, **Noah** was able to construct the ark with precise dimensions and structural complexity (Genesis 6:14–16). Later in the Old Testament, **Bezalel** and **Oholiab** are said to have been "filled with the Spirit of God" and given wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and skill in all kinds of craftsmanship to construct the tabernacle and its furnishings (Exodus 31:1–6).
This raises an important theological and interpretive question:
**Were these abilities supernaturally imparted by God at the moment of calling, or were they natural talents that God chose to use and bless for His purposes?**
Additionally, how should we understand the language of "filled with the Spirit of God" in this context—does it imply sudden divine empowerment, or a sanctified use of already existing skills?
I'm interested in how various Christian traditions and biblical interpretations understand this dynamic between divine inspiration and human ability.
Asked by So Few Against So Many
(4829 rep)
Jun 12, 2025, 06:05 AM
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