Davy Crockett’s alleged violin is kept in the Witte museum in San Antonio, Texas. Some times it is loaned to the Alamo or other museums for demonstrations or simply as an historic artifact. Perhaps the most curious thing about the violin is the story that Davy placed the rattles from the tail of a rattlesnake inside the body of the instrument. In some recordings that have been made using the violin it is said that one can hear the rattles moving against the wood.

I have sometimes wondered how violins came into being in the first place. They are made of a wooden box, often spruce and maple, but not always. The strings were originally made of catgut, while the bow hair is made from a horse’s tail. Without the tree resin that is rubbed across the hair, the bow would not make a sound when it is drawn across the strings. It seems like the most unlikely combination of elements to produce such exquisite variations of sound. I have seen paintings of angels playing the violin, presumably because the sound is so sublime.

There must have been divine inspiration in the making of such an instrument, for Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father. . .. (James 1:15)

In the Old Testament the account of the building of the first tabernacle is a detailed picture of God’s provision for this structure , the predecessor of the great temple built by Solomon. In this earlier version, the hand of God was intimately involved in each detail: See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel. . . and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom,, understanding. . . and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in artistic crafts. And He has given to both him and Oholiab. . . the ability to teach others. (Exodus 35:30-34)

I’m convinced that the thing we call “talent” in individuals who have great abilities or who make great discoveries, is in truth a manifestation of the creative Spirit of God displayed in such persons. It is a gift, sometimes abused, but available to be used for His Kingdom.

Davy Crockett’s legacy is enhanced by the artifact of his violin. It helps us imagine the man who died at the Alamo; but there is no physical object known to exist today from Bezalel’s inspired work, though the search continues. His legacy lives in the lives inspired by the gifts recorded in Scripture, spiritual gifts of beauty and skill originating in his God and our God.

Love in Him,

Prue