Dancing is another significant topic to consider as we tackle moral issues in our weekly articles. It is an activity that has become deeply ingrained in today’s society, affecting both the youth and adults. From nightclubs and bars to dance halls, social gatherings, school events, and from TV shows to competitions, dancing has grown in popularity among all age groups—not only as a means of recreation and celebration but also as a major form of entertainment for a global audience. As Christians, the crucial question we must reflect on is what God’s word has to say on the matter.
Romans 15:4 states, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning…” (NKJV). Some might argue, “Since God’s people danced in the Old Testament, it must be acceptable.” To explore this idea, let’s look at a few examples. In Exodus 15:20-21, Miriam led the Israelite women in a celebratory dance after their deliverance from the Egyptian army: “Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.”
There are several key points to consider: (1) This dance was an act of celebration, likely involving jumping and leaping rather than moving the body in seductive or persuasive manners. (2) In ancient times, dancing was a common expression of joy, and the Israelites certainly had much to rejoice about. Later in Israel’s history, victorious warriors were greeted by women coming out of the cities, singing, dancing, and playing tambourines and other instruments (Judges 11:34; 1 Sam. 18:6-8). (3) It’s important to note that this was not a command from God but rather an emotional response tied to celebrating victory and deliverance.
In 2 Samuel 6:12-19, the Ark of the Covenant is brought to Jerusalem, and King David is seen “dancing before the Lord with all his might” (2 Sam. 6:14). However, his wife, Michal, disapproved of his public display, saying, “How glorious was the king of Israel today, uncovering himself in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows shamelessly uncovers himself” (2 Sam. 6:20). David’s actions, however innocent in his own mind, led to conflict. It’s important to note that the type of dance David engaged in likely involved more hands-in-the-air and leaping movements rather than the structured, sensual dances we see today, such as the tango, rumba, or salsa.
In short, the dancing described in the Old Testament is vastly different from the modern-day dancing. When the Psalmist wrote, “Let them praise His name with the dance; let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp” (Psalm 149:3), it was not referring to line dances or couple’s dances. What the psalmist describes is quite different from the types of dancing that are most common in today’s society. Comparing the two is like comparing apples to oranges. We cannot claim something to be acceptable in all of its forms simply because it is mentioned in the Old Testament. In the upcoming articles, we will delve into the New Testament and explore how dancing can be sinful and how in certain settings with the correct people involved it can be acceptable.
By: Jerrod Hammond