TESTIMONY: Art and prophecy shaped her journey

Cape Town artist Leigh Telli talks about her latest project — a calendar depicting places of biblical and prophetic significance in modern Israel

Ever since I was a young girl, I’ve been captivated by the wonder of drawing and the way in which paint could bring to life even an ordinary, everyday subject. From the day that I became a Christian at the age of 26, I was equally drawn to the subject of prophecy – this was one aspect of the Bible that transformed me from being a sceptic to a believer.

I wasn’t brought up in a Bible-believing home. In fact, I think I could safely say we were the main party animals in a quiet and peaceful neighbourhood! Things changed overnight when my mother became a born-again Christian and started praying for me and my two sisters. For no apparent reason, I began thinking about God and carrying around a small, red pocket Bible which I would periodically open for answers. Thank goodness I outgrew “Bible bingo” as I went on with the Lord! 

My art also began to change from weird and outrageous images, to work which portrayed my spiritual journey. But I was still sitting on the fence. I kept delaying a complete surrender to the Lord because I knew it would entail breaking off a relationship. Eventually, my boyfriend gave me an ultimatum on my veranda late one night: “You have to choose between me and this new God of yours.” It was the push I needed and I chose to surrender my life to Jesus as my Lord and Saviour.

God led me to a messianic congregation in the heart of Sea Point, and later to a kibbutz in Israel. Doors opened for me to do artwork while I was in Jerusalem and I found myself drawn to subjects depicting God’s purposes for the Jewish people. 

Recently, I’ve been inspired to do a calendar depicting places found in modern day Israel that have biblical significance from a prophetic point of view. The calendar includes Jewish feast days and is accompanied by a booklet that explains the prophetic weight of each location. One example is a pastel drawing which I have called The Dead Sea Lives based on Ezekiel 47:1-6.  In the drawing, I have tried to capture the vivid imagery of the Dead Sea. In a painting which I used for the month of August, I feature Mount Hermon, a breathtaking landscape that has rich, prophetic significance. 

Each of the 12 paintings/drawings depict the redemptive purposes of God toward the land of Israel. The miracle of the Jewish people who are moving back to the land of Israel is a testimony to God’s faithfulness – proving that what God says He will do — even if it’s thousands of years later.

He will also keep His Word and His Promises to those of us who have put our hope in His Son, Yeshua the Messiah.

You can order the calendar and view more of Leigh’s art at www.messiahart.co.za The calendar cost R200 excluding posting and packing. Leigh helps to organise conferences to give Christians an understanding of their Jewish roots and God’s purposes for Israel. If you would like her to share at your church or Bible study, you can contact her at leigh@messiahart.co.za or 082 828 8073

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