God, The Master Artist

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In my senior year of college, one of my roommates was an art major. When I would meet her in the art department, I was always so amazed by her talent and the other artists. Every piece was so impressive to me, as they shared a different story and invoked different emotions. One of my favorite paintings my roommate did was large and full of bright colorful swirls. It was one of the beautiful highlights of her display.

I remember leaving the art department one evening and walking outside to see one of the most gorgeous sunsets. The whole sky was painted in vivid, radiant colors, similar to my roommate’s painting, and I just had to stop to admire God’s stunning artwork. 

Everywhere we look we see His incomparable pieces of art. His beautiful attention to detail is breathtaking.

I love how God uses each season to showcase His talent. It’s as if each winter He pulls out a new snowy white canvas and prepares His colorful palette for the year ahead. While every season is beautiful, I believe God, the Master Artist, enjoys showing off His amazing use of colors most in the fall. 

One of Intentional Filling’s dedicated community members, Charlene Hormann recently shared a message about how all the beautiful colors of fall can serve as reminders of God’s attributes and His promises. Charlene’s notes, which she generously shared with us, have inspired this blog and I’m excited to pass along these colorful connections.

God’s Color Palette For Fall

When you think of fall, what colors come to mind? I automatically picture red, yellow, orange, purple, and green.

Red/Scarlet

Maple leaves, cranberry sauce, rhubarb pie, pomegranates, roasted red potatoes, dark red chrysanthemums, red apples, and beautiful red cardinals are just a few examples of shades of red and scarlet on God’s colorful palette.

The Hebrew word for red is, oudem, which literally means “red clay.” There are many Biblical names derived from this word including Adam, the first human God created from the dust of the earth. Also closely related to this word is Edom, which is another name for Esau. Genesis 25:25 tells us, not coincidentally, Isaac’s son Esau was known for his red and hairy skin. 

Red has always been associated with blood, which in the Bible is directly connected to atonement and deliverance. Blood was an essential part of the ritual sacrifices for the atonement of sins. Exodus 12:13-28 tells of how the Israelites put blood, from sacrificial lambs, on their doorpost during the last plague before they were delivered from Egypt. 

And 1 Peter 1:18-19 explains how Jesus Christ was crucified as the Sacrificial Lamb. He shed His blood upon the cross for the atonement for our sins.

So, when you see red or scarlet colors this fall, take time to remember Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for you on the cross.

Yellow/Gold

Yellow is one of my favorite colors and we see this color in so many places in the fall, such as corn, squash, hay bales, dried wheat or corn stalks, yellow leaves and flowers, the sunshine, and little goldfinch birds.

In the Bible, we see gold and yellow often mentioned together and considered closely connected. In antiquity, gold was known as the most valuable and precious metal. It was used as currency and was used to make the holiest artifacts in temples. Exodus 25:10-22 describes in detail how the Ark of the Covenant is elaborately covered in the purest gold. And Revelation 21:21 tells us that we can look forward to seeing and even walking along the heavenly streets paved with gold.

Gold that had been through the refining process to be made pure and near perfection is a symbol of our own refining and sanctification, as God’s people.   

When you see where God painted in nature with yellow and gold, be reminded of His glory, joy, divinity, kingship, holiness, majesty, and righteousness.

Orange/Amber

When red and yellow are combined we get the color orange. There’s no denying this is one of the most vivid, prominent colors we see in the fall.

Leaves, pumpkins, butternut squash, sweet potato pie, monarch butterflies, fire pits, sunsets, and a full harvest moon are just a few examples of shades of amber and orange on God’s colorful palette.

Orange represents the fire of God, deliverance, and passionate praise. All throughout Scripture God used fire to reveal His presence to His people. In Exodus 3, God got Moses’ attention by speaking to him from a bush that was on fire but did burn up. Later in Exodus 13, God led His people through the wilderness with a pillar of fire at night. And over in the New Testament, God continued to use fire to make His presence known.

In Acts 2, when Jesus’ followers were celebrating Shavuot, what we know as Passover, they saw tongues of fire that separated and rested on each of them and they were filled with the Holy Spirit.

In Hebrews 12, we learn that Jesus is the Founder and Perfecter of our faith. The chapter ends with Verses 28 & 29 of the NIV saying:

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.’”
Hebrews 12:28-29, NIV

This passage refers to God’s “consuming fire” as a reason for reverent worship because we will spend eternity in Heaven with him.

When you see God painting with orange/amber this autumn, remember that He is a consuming fire, and He is always with us.

Purple/Violet

With such a wide variety of purple flowers, it’s easy to see God loves painting with shades of purple. He also made many fruits and vegetables purple, such as grapes, plums, figs, beets, onions, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, and Indian corn.

In antiquity, purple or violet dyes were considered the most valuable. Purple garments were reserved for the upper class, royalty, and priests. In Acts 16 we read about Lydia, who was a dealer of purple cloth. She mingled with and served the rich. Lydia was a loyal follower of Jesus and opened her home to become the first church in Europe.

Most of the purple cloth being used in the Bible was for priestly garments. Aaron was the first high priest who wore robes made of purple yarn interwoven with blue and scarlet, as well as threads of hammered gold.

Hebrews 8 tells of how Jesus is our high priest, and Revelation 19:16 says on His robe is written “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

When you see what God has made purple/violet this fall, remember Jesus is the high priest and King of Kings worthy of all worship.

Green

Take a moment to look at a plant. Even though we all might have looked at different kinds of plants, there’s a really good chance we looked at a plant that was green. Since there are way too many to list, I’ve often wondered if green is one of God’s favorite colors. As a Master Artist, He uses so many different shades of green all throughout the year.

With the vast majority of plants being green during at least some of the seasons, it’s easy to understand why the color green is symbolic of life and growth. Teachers and Rabbis often used objects to better illustrate their lessons, and it was very common for plants to be used as metaphors to explain the spiritual realm.

For example, evergreen trees keep their foliage and stay green all year long. For most of us when we think of evergreen trees we quickly think of Christmas trees brought into our homes and decorated during winter. These trees are more than just pretty decorations, they also carry the symbol of God’s everlasting life.

So whenever you see something God has painted green throughout the year, remember John 3:16,

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16, KJV

God, The Master Artist

Everywhere where we look we see God’s beautiful and extravagant creations. He was and is intentional about everything He makes. 

Throughout the remainder of this season, be on the lookout for God’s artwork.  Take notice of His use of colors and give Him praise for the magnificent work He has done. 

Just look around. It is easy to recall that He truly is the Master Artist.

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Resources

• https://connectusfund.org/meaning-of-the-11-most-important-colors-in-the-bible
• https://www.color-meanings.com/biblical-meaning-colors/