Decorative Art as Useful Art-part 3

Decorative Art as Useful Art-part 3 

 Although some Bible historians claim that the Israelites never made any sculptures because of the fact that they were forbidden to do so by the statement in Exodus 20:4 “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image (pecel 6459) …” (Also see Lev. 26:1; De. 4:16, 4:23, 25,5:8.)   However, they often forget that Exodus 20:25 clears up the matter when it explains, “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God…”  So, God did not forbid ancient Israel to carve decorative art objects but rather YHVH elohiym only forbad them to worship these art objects.  When II Chronicles uses the word tsa’tsua (6816), which means that the cherubims were carved or graven images, it is not a violation of the “no graven idols” commandment.  Therefore, I find absolutely no prohibition in the Bible of anyone elaborately decorating a Church. 

            How does all this discussion connect to music? As I said earlier, music is often allied to the decorative arts by the fact that these objects beautify the place where we music such as: sanctuaries, classrooms, and concert halls.  It is the obligation of every music educator to beautify the physical surroundings of all the places we music or study about music.  Also, making our music students aware of fine decorative art objects can be a source of educational inspiration to them.  For instance, bringing a beautiful hand painted glazed Rookwood vase or a Nileoak glazed pitcher to the rehearsal room can be a philosophical comparison of a fine pottery work to a fine musical performance.

Scripture for the Day

2Chronicles 4:2-3, “Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.  And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about: ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast.”