Praise in Dance

September 12, 2021 Background Scripture: 2 Samuel 6 Lesson Passage: 2 Samuel 6:1 – 5, 14 – 19 In last week’s lesson, we wrote about Miriam leading the women with timbrels and dance. The focus was more so on the music of the timbrels being added to the singing of praises to God. Miriam’s leadership of the women in a dance of praise is the first recorded incident of God being praised with dancing. This should not be overlooked or taken lightly. We learn from others what is appropriate and what is not appropriate for worship. I recall as a child that dancing was always considered something worldly within a Baptist church. Much has changed over the decades as we witness praise dancing as a ministry in many Baptist churches today. The psalmist reminds us that sacred dancing was part of worship for Israel. And when it comes to praising God in dance, it is hard to overlook the “sweet psalmist of Israel”, David. David is well-known for his prolific writing of psalms and his skilled and anointed playing of the harp. David is cited as the author of half of the psalms. David’s anointed playing of the harp was used on numerous occasions to settle King Saul’s spirit when he was being vexed. In one of his psalms, David wrote about God turning his mourning into dancing. But we dare not forget the praise dance David performed as the ark of the covenant was being brought again to its proper place after being gone for so long. David danced and jumped for joy as the ark was being brought into Jerusalem by the priests. Perhaps it is not the moves, or steps, of the dance that should be noted. We should take note of David’s political position at the time he danced before the Lord with all his might. At that time, David was king over all of God’s people, Israel. David had been elevated by God to the highest position over His people. David’s position did not hinder the expression of David’s joy in the Lord. David danced publicly with all his might before the Lord. I believe that a child of God should express themselves as the Spirit of God moves them. In other words, it should be according to the will of God. One must be careful that we don’t take it upon ourselves to do or say whatever “we think” God should be pleased with. Our relationship with God should be close enough that we know when we are being prompted by God. This can be better understood by recognizing that our lesson describes David’s second attempt to bring the ark to Jerusalem. In David’s first attempt, he sought the opinion of the people concerning it. After they agreed with his plans to do it, David assembled thirty thousand men, and they went to get the ark. The ark was placed on a new cart, and they played music as they began their journey to Jerusalem. There was no mention of dancing during the first attempt. Someone attempted to steady the ark when the cart shook, and God immediately struck that person with death. David was afraid and they left the ark at the home of Obed Edom for three months. During that time, David learned that God had given specific instructions on how the ark was to be transported and by whom. During this second attempt to move the ark, they followed God’s instructions and they also offered sacrifices as they proceeded. King David knew they were now doing it according to the will of God and God was blessing their effort. Again, they played music, but this time King David danced with all his might. They were moving the ark according to God’s instructions, and David celebrated God’s blessing of their efforts by dancing in the Lord’s presence. David was not dancing for the people to watch him. David was dancing as an expression of joy before the Lord, and he did it with all his might. Robert C. Hudson August 12, 2021