Poetry · Chapter
The Carpenter explained
The speaker reflects on Jesus's humble work as a carpenter, expressing a desire to be used as a tool in God's hands, but ultimately praying for God to dwell within him so that he may do the Father's will in his own work.
What happens
The speaker reflects on Jesus's humble work as a carpenter, expressing a desire to be used as a tool in God's hands, but ultimately praying for God to dwell within him so that he may do the Father's will in his own work.
Themes in this chapter
Divine Fatherhood
The poem culminates in the speaker's desire to do the Father's will and be brought home as a child made like Christ, emphasizing God's paternal care.
Redemption and Grace
The speaker prays to be worked into something good by the Master's hand, reflecting a longing for transformation and grace.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
Addressed as Lord and Master, depicted working at Joseph's bench with saw, plane, and hammer.
- Joseph
Mentioned as the owner of the humble bench where Jesus worked.
- God
Referred to as the Father whose will is done through the speaker's work.
Key passages
“O Lord, at Joseph’s humble bench Thy hands did handle saw and plane; Thy hammer nails did drive and clench, Avoiding knot and humouring grain.”
Lord, you worked at Joseph's simple workbench, skillfully using saw, plane, and hammer, driving nails and working around knots in the wood.
Describes Jesus's craftsmanship with care and precision.
“Lord, might I be but as a saw, A plane, a chisel, in thy hand!— No, Lord! I take it back in awe, Such prayer for me is far too grand.”
Lord, I wish I could be just a tool in your hand—but no, I withdraw that prayer, it is too bold for me.
The speaker humbly retracts a request to be merely a tool, feeling unworthy.
“Come in, O gracious Force, I cry— O workman, share my shed of clay.”
I call out for you, O gracious power, to enter and dwell within my earthly body.
The speaker invites God to inhabit his mortal frame.
“Then I, at bench, or desk, or oar, With knife or needle, voice or pen, As thou in Nazareth of yore, Shall do the Father’s will again.”
Then, whether I work at a bench, desk, or oar, with knife, needle, voice, or pen, just as you did in Nazareth long ago, I will once again carry out the Father's will.
The speaker vows to fulfill God's will in his own daily labor, mirroring Christ's example.