"See, I have called by name Bezalel ... and I have filled him with the spirit of God in wisdom and in understanding and in knowledge and in all works" (Exodus 31:3).
Can a craft be prophetic?
The first time we are told the the Lord uses the words "Filled" with the "Spirit of God" is in Exodus. God filled Bezalel gifting him with the skill for all the work needed for the temple. That includes arts and crafts and revelatory empowerment.
God also filled people with wisdom of heart for crafts.
"He has filled them with wisdom of heart to do all manner of skilled work, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and as weavers— as artistic designers of every kind of device/thought." (Exodus 35:35).
Today God still wants to fill people with His Spirit, so they are equiped and skilled to do do all the creative work needed in His kingdom. The word translated craftsmen in the following Bible verse is a word meaning "skilled worker" (Ezekiel 21:31). It has been used to refer to carpenters, masons, engravers and those who plough or cut into, make a hole or sharpen instruments and also to one who writes and one who brings destruction.
“These are the horns that scattered Judah so that no one could raise his head; but the craftsmen [skilled workers] have come to terrify them and throw down these horns of the nations that have lifted up their horns against the land of Judah [praise] to scatter it.”
Any craft we have can be used as a prophetic tool, if we're willing to partner with Jesus and let Him take center stage. Prophesy is not all about the craft, or the one prophesying. It's about God revealing.
[R. Laird Harris, Gleason L. Archer & Bruce K. Waltke, ed. Theological Workbook of the Old Testament. Chicargo: Moody Publishers, 1980.]Cards
I had a message for my local church, so I made just over 100 christmas tags, enough for everyone.
Another time I made 150 tags with the same message on for hampers that went to needy people. In 2022 I put a different message on them.
I was preparing crafts to sell at a carnival and the Holy Spirit said, "Wedding." I agreed. I didn't have any wedding cards to sell. Well, I thought I'd finish what I was doing and then make some wedding cards, but it took more time to finish what I was doing, than I thought it would.
The Holy Spirit reminded me about not filling my life with activity, and I agreed, not thinking about the present activity.
The day of the carnival arrived and a girl came to my stall and said, "My mother wants your best wedding card."
I groaned inwardly as I realised I'd been too busy and forgot to make the wedding card. I had only one card that was suitable, but I was dissapointed. Jesus wanted a special card made for this person and I'd missed the boat.
If I'd made it, could I have called it a prophetic card?
Postscript:
I had a lot of cards and gift boxes left over and it was a lesson in following, in doing first what we know Jesus wants us to do.
After the carnival I made some wedding cards and thought it was like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted, as the saying goes. Well, a short time later, I got an order for a wedding card, so I made it the same day.
Sometimes the Holy Spirit uses cards to carry His message for the moment. I've received cards like this and given them.
In 2016 the Lord put the idea of a get well card into my mind - a rose in a bed. I was teaching a group of ladies the two-stroke method of painting flowers at the time. The card turned out to be prophetic, and needed as most of us promptly became sick.
Soon after I was invited to a Stampin' Up! workshop and became an independent demonstrator. I used their stamps to add the "Get Well" Text and my card-making ability grew. Amazing doors have since opened in this area.
Wedding Invitation
When I read in the Bible, the words "Seal me in your heart with permanent betrothal" (Song of Solomon 8:6), I loved the sound of them and had them printed onto our wedding invitations, that I'd screen-printed with symbols of sun representing God and flowers representing the joy of basking in God's presence (Song of Solomon 8:6).
We are still married (40+ years). May the Lord always be center stage in our lives and cause this word to be a prophesy that is fulfilled.
Clothing
I designed and sewed my wedding dress. On the silk bodice I screen printed blue skies and white flowers to symbolise sunshine, because that was what I wanted our marriage to be like. The sun, with white rays, was to represent God. The blue circle was also for God and the sky, representing trouble-free days and the happiness when God is in the centre of our lives. I outlined the flowers in red embroidery cotton, to represent the blood of Christ and all the lovely gifts God gives. I loved flowers. I was given an enormous barrel of orchids from a colleague and their white blooms, outlined with red, were perfect for my bouquet.
Cake Decoration
Before our daugther Roseanne was born the Lord said the child would be a "restorer of life" to me in my old age and was a "select arrow in His quiver." I had the words "Precious Select Arrow in God's Quiver written in gold on the cake we had made for her dedication.