HOMILETICS. Vars. 30-35.-MASTER·CRAFTSMEN. The qualities needed for a master-craftsman ore fourfold. These o.re here enumerated (ver. 31) a.s-- 1. WISDOM (Heh. khakam; LXX. uoq,la; Vulg. sapientia), the highest gift of all- the powor of original conception, which, if he combines with it the other necessary qualities, makes the true artist, the master-workman, in whatsoever branch of art his work may lie. This is appropriately placed first as the most necessary quality for those who are to direct a great construction of an artistic character. II. UNDERSTANDING (Heh. tt!ban; LXX. ,r{,v,u•~; Vulg. intelligentia), a desirable, but very inferior quality, consisting in the power of appreciating the work of others, and estimating it aright. This power is needed in master-craftsmen, to qualify them for passing judgment on the work produced by those under their direction. III. KNOWLEDGE (Heh. yad'l,'; LXX. •1r•UT~/J-'I; Vulg. scientia), or acquaintance with the laws and fe.cts of science bearing on their art. In the present case, acquaintance with such things as elementary mechanics, the method of cutting hard stones, the process of dyeing, the best mode of working different metals, and the like. An inferior quality this, which the master-craftsman should not lack, but which will avail him little without the higher excellences. IV. W0RKMANSmP (Heh. m'lakah i LXX. apx11'fl<T'Ovia; Vulg. doctrina), or power of execution, next to genius the most necessary quality of the artist, and accepted to a large extent in lieu of genius, as placing a man high in the artistic scale. This excellence does not consist in mere dexterity of hand, but in a happy way of working out designed effects, producing the feeling of complete mastery over the materials. It is by their wonderful execution that the genuine works of great masters are known from copies. Note, that all these qualities were possessed by both of the master- craftsmen in an eminent degree, and that all of them were the gift of " the Spirit of God" (ver. 31), from whom comes down "every good gift and every perfect gift" (Jam. i. 17). Artists should bear this in mind, and sanctify their art by directing it to holy, or at any rate to good ends. What a sad spectacle is genius prostituted to the service of Satan I
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 30-35.-Bezaleel and .Aholiab. Note-I. THE FACT THAT THE LoRD CHOSE l£EN TO DO THE WORK. It might have been otherwise. As the people were requested of their free-will to provide the materials, so they might have been requested to provide the necessary artificers. But it is easy to see what differences and jealousies might have resulted, all to end in some unsatisfactory compromise. There was no difficulty as long as each one gave of his own decision; and what further difficulty then threatened to come, God immediately removed by himself selecting the men who were to carry out his designs. It is very likely that Bezaleel and Aholiab were not the men whom the people themselves would have chosen. So far as pure artistic originality was con- cerned they may have been excelled; for the possession in Israel of so much material for artistic and precious work seems to show that there must have been many with the ability requisite for such work. But God had his own principles of choice, his owu purposes to serve; and it would appear in due time how wise God was in indicating certain men and not others for what needed to be done. II. THE QUALIFICATIONS WITH WHICH GOD ENDOWED 'l'HE:M. God, we may be sure, THE BOOK OF EXODU~
to ~(lmr l'Xt.ent t.(l(lk them for what they were by nR.ture. He 1tlways looks at the naturnl ha•i~ on whiC'h be propose~ to build up some Divine work. But he did not leave th!'m t<> their nntural st.rengt.h t{) carry out his designs. He did not loa,·e them to toll on"-:ird t<> impressive rC11ultB through mRny attempts which had to be forSRken 118 fRilmes. Great works of art, which only too many spectators regard with but a glance, are t~, thr artist memorialfi of weary and tantRlising hours. Sir Joshua Reynolds Ba.id of one of hiB completed paintinf<~, "there Are ten under it, some better, some worse." RezRl<'l'I and Aholiah were spRred all such disRppointments, all vain huuts after the unattainahle ideal. A variety of words are used with re~pect to them, as if to signify how eminent!~· and abunrlantly God bed endowed them with all that was necessary for the task. Thus it was to be made plain to the then living generation and their successors that t!Je tabernacle and its contents were in a very important sense the work of God. The11e thin!?" were to be RBCred in every way: they were not to be criticised and com- pared, as if they were the outcome of art and man's device. Perhaps criticism did come, for fault-finders are numerous in every a.ge ; but the two chosen artificers needed not to trouble themselves about any complaining. And should we not all find it better 1f, instead of straining to do work for God in our own strength &nd wisdom-which must t>ver be a 11addening failure &e to spiritual results-we sought to be as tools directed by the ";~dom of God? We have no right to complain if keen eyes discover the weak point.s in what is fashioned by our own skill; but if we are sure that God's Spirit is ruling in all we do for him, then we may meet complaints with a meek indif- ference.-Y.
Ven.. 30--35.-Bezaleel and .A.holwb. See Homily on chap. nxi. vers.1-12.-J. 0.