Exodus 35:30-35 - Homiletics

Master-Craftsmen.

The qualities needed for a master-craftsman are fourfold. These are here enumerated ( Exodus 35:31 ) as—

I. WISDOM (Hebrews khakam ; LXX . σοφία ; Vulg. sapientia ), the highest gift of all—the power 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 (Hebrews taban ; LXX . σύνεσις ; 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 (Hebrews yada ; LXX . ἐπιστήμη ; Vulg. scientia ), or acquaintance with the laws and facts 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. WORKMANSHIP (Hebrews m'lakah ; LXX . ἀρχιτεκτονία ; 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" ( Exodus 35:31 ), from whom comes down "every good gift and every perfect gift" ( James 1:17 ). 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!