Dear brothers and sisters, today let’s delve into the beautiful and joyous expression of dance as found in the Bible. Dance is a form of worship that has been embraced by many faithful believers throughout biblical history. It is a powerful way to show our love, gratitude, and reverence for our Creator. Dance is not just a physical act; it is a spiritual experience that connects us deeply with God.
In the Bible, dance often accompanies moments of victory, celebration, and worship. When the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and witnessed God’s miraculous deliverance, Miriam the prophetess led the women in a dance of joy with tambourines. This act of dancing was an expression of their profound gratitude and awe for God’s power and salvation.
King David, a man after God’s own heart, also expressed his worship through dance. When the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem, David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a linen ephod. His dance was a pure, uninhibited act of worship, showing his deep devotion and joy in the presence of the Lord. Though he faced criticism for his exuberance, David’s response was clear: he danced for the Lord, not for human approval.
In Ecclesiastes, we learn that there is a time for everything, including a time to dance. This reminds us that dance is a natural part of life’s rhythm and seasons. When we dance in worship, we are participating in a divine appointment, a sacred moment set apart for expressing our love and joy before God.
Dance in worship is not limited to the Old Testament. In the New Testament, we see the father of the prodigal son calling for music and dance to celebrate the return of his lost son. This parable illustrates the joy and celebration in heaven when a sinner repents and returns to God.
Dear friend, dance is a gift from God that allows us to express our deepest emotions and worship. It bridges the gap between the physical and spiritual, making our worship a holistic experience. As we dance, we honor God with our whole being—body, mind, and spirit.
Dear friends now let’s see the Bible scriptures below that talk about ‘dance’.
“Praise him with the timbrel dance: praise him with stringed instruments organs”
— Psalm 150:4
“Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, girded me with gladness”
— Psalm 30:11
“As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee”
— Psalm 87:7
“A time to weep, a time to laugh; a time to mourn, a time to dance”
— Ecclesiastes 3:4
“Therefore they shall come sing in the height of Zion, shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord , for wheat, for wine, for oil, for the young of the flock of the herd: their soul shall be as a watered garden; they shall not sorrow any more at allThen shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, will comfort them, make them rejoice from their sorrow”
— Jeremiah 31:12-13
“Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; all the women went out after her with timbrels with dances”
— Exodus 15:20
“Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, , behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels with dances: she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter”
— Judges 11:34
“See, , behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, catch you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, go to the land of Benjamin”
— Judges 21:21
“The children of Benjamin did so, took them wives, according to their number, of them that danced, whom they caught: they went returned unto their inheritance, repaired the cities, dwelt in them”
— Judges 21:23
“The joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourning”
— Lamentations 5:15
“Saying, We have piped unto you, ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, ye have not lamented”
— Matthew 11:17
“Now his elder son was in the field: as he came drew nigh to the house, he heard musick dancing”
— Luke 15:25
“They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, calling one to another, saying, We have piped unto you, ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, ye have not wept”
— Luke 7:32
“They send forth their little ones like a flock, their children dance”
— Job 21:11
“But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; owls shall dwell there, satyrs shall dance there”
— Isaiah 13:21
“Gladness is taken away, joy out of the plentiful field; in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made their vintage shouting to cease”
— Isaiah 16:10
“In every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the Lord shall lay upon him, it shall be with tabrets harps: in battles of shaking will he fight with it”
— Isaiah 30:32
“When the daughter of the said Herodias came in, danced, pleased Herod them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, I will give it thee”
— Mark 6:22
“He leaping up stood, walked, entered with them into the temple, walking, leaping, praising God”
— Acts 3:8
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Bible presents dance as a form of worship and celebration, evident in verses like Psalm 149:3, which encourages praising God’s name with dancing, and Ecclesiastes 3:4, which acknowledges a time to dance. From these scriptural references, we learn that dance can be a powerful expression of joy, gratitude, and reverence towards God. It teaches us to use our bodies to glorify Him and to celebrate the blessings and moments He provides. By embracing dance in our spiritual practices, we can foster a deeper connection with God, experience communal joy, and offer a heartfelt form of praise. Let us apply this by incorporating dance into our worship, allowing it to enrich our spiritual experiences and bring us closer to the divine.