2 Samuel 6:14 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)
And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
Misinterpretation: This Scripture is often used to tell people that there is something wrong with their spiritual life (usually pride) if they do not dance during worship.
Facts: There is nothing wrong with dancing in worship. As a matter of fact, dancing as a form of worship to the true God has a long, long heritage. It dates at least back to the Israelite exodus from Egypt, when Miriam, the sister of Moses, led some of the women of Israel in dance (Ex. 15:20). However, just because David danced does not mean that people have to dance.
The problem with the UPC presentation of David’s dance is that they often say that if a person refuses to dance during worship then something is wrong with their spiritual walk. If this is true, then we all should have to wear linen ephods to truly worship the Lord. After all, that’s what David was doing!
March 1st, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Brother,
You are right; we do not have to dance before men… even David made it clear that he was not dancing before men, as for them to see, but before God. It was a beautiful sacrifice of humility for the new king. It is a shame that men will peer upon others to judge their worship. But I will say, that sometimes we do strange things that enable us to get past the flesh and really connect with God. If dancing does that, fine; if kneeling, great….but just to reach into the holy place and experience his presence is worth anything.
All the Best on your walk!
July 16th, 2008 at 4:26 am
Could someone dance and truely not be converted by God’s Grace? Shouldn’t we focus on what is really importaint? I have no problem with somebody dancing in a service, but lets get the donkey in front of the cart. Do we go to church so we can practice our dancing skills?
August 9th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
I too was raised in the UPC and was an Apostolic minister for nearly 13 years of my 17 years in Ministry. This is a widely misquoted scripture by many. And so many I have ministered to have left church thinking there was something terribly wrong with them because they were not as vocal in their worship or did not dance and run the isles. I know many great saved folks who have not shouted and dance and ran but they are saved.
The Apostle Paul in his second letter to Timothy the 4th chapter and the 2nd verse, He said “Preach the Word” not ones opinion. Lets love the Word of God enough ti just preach the word. It will really change people.
In His Grip,
Rev. Josh Sparks.
January 27th, 2010 at 6:27 am
I’ve just stumbled across this post. I’m a dancer who wants to encourage people to dance for the Lord, but I’m shocked that anyone would suggest that someone who doesn’t dance has a spiritual problem. It’s basically spiritual abuse, for which the UPC is notorious.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Just a thought… Please notice that David was not in the Tabernacle when he danced! Neither was Miriam. This was a Jewish thing, not a Christian thing and no where in the New Testament church is dancing recorded in the church. Also note that David was not in the “right” during this time because he should not have been wearing a Levitical priestly item like the ephod. This was a priest’s garment to be worn in the Tabernacle – David was from the tribe of Judah, not Levi! This could be one reason Michal looked on him with such hatred. He was being hypocritical in his worship. We are not necessarily told that it was right for him to be dancing or wearing an ephod, it is just recorded that this is what happened. Michal had been ripped from her husband who loved her and wept when she was taken away II Samuel 3, only to be added to David’s harem of other wives II Samuel 5:13. And yet the kings were commanded in Deuteronomy 17:17 “Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away:” so David was in disobedience to God in this area. Does anybody see a repeating pattern with David on this? He took away a man’s wife who clearly loved her, so he could have her for himself. Remember Bathsheba and Nathan the prophet’s story? My point to all this is that just because someone does something in the Bible that might LOOK like worship, does not necessarily mean that it is right or that the person’s heart is right with God at the time the event is recorded. David had good intent when he tried to bring the ark the first time, he just did it the wrong way. Sometimes we want so badly to do something for God (like worship) that we can do it in all the wrong ways. We should seek to worship God like HE wants to be worshiped, not what we like or what makes us feel good. God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in Truth John 4:24