Sunday, July 15, 2012

Dancing in Your Ephod


II Samuel 6:1-19

        The scripture this morning is such an incredible story it screams out for any number of headlines.  “Man touches holy relic and dies”.  “Husband embarrasses wife while dancing in his underwear”.  Whichever way you look at it, this is an incredible story.  The question is what significance does it have for us?  The Ark of the Covenant is a Jewish, not Christian relic.  Dancing, if one is properly dressed, doesn’t seem to be a theological issue for most Presbyterians.  Perhaps this is an interesting moment in the history of Israel, but what difference does it make where the Ark resides?
        First, we have to move past the idea that the Old Testament is no more than an account of the history of Israel.  The Bible is a theological, not historical book.  The writers of the Old Testament were trying to understand the presence of God in the midst of their confused lives.  Therefore the books of Samuel are not an account of the house of David as much as they are an attempt to legitimize the actions of David with the desires of God. The Books of Samuel are the blue print of how to be a faithful, God-fearing monarch.   Even more important, this is a theological treatise, which takes seriously the holiness and mystery of a God.
        Let’s begin with the obvious questions.  What the heck is the Ark of the Covenant?  Why did David want to move it to Jerusalem?  Why did Uzzah die?  Why was Michal critical of David’s moves on the dance floor?
        Thanks to Harrison Ford and Stephen Spielberg I suspect most of you know quite a bit about the Ark of the Covenant.  Biblical Scholars are not certain when the Ark came into existence but it plays a major role in the Israelites understanding of Yahweh.  Some feel the Ark contained the original Laws of Moses.  Others believe that its origin was during the period of the Judges.  Regardless, all agree that the Ark was significant in three distinct ways. (1) There is essential association with Yahweh and the Ark.  It is seen as the resting place of God. It was believed that God never strayed far from this box.  If the Ark traveled with the people, God was with them. (2) The Ark had the power to win victories in battle.  In FIrst Samuel 4 Israel is defeated by the Philistines. It was believed the battle was lost because the Ark had been left behind.  (3) The Ark had the power to unify or destroy a nation.  In First Samuel, the Philistines captured the Ark and had it removed from its initial resting place at Shiloh.  Soon after they captured the Holy Relic, a plague broke out in the Philistine camp. Afraid for their lives, they took it to the Beth-shemesh and left it to be reclaimed by Israel.  David seized this opportunity to have the Ark placed in Jerusalem.
        Why was the relocation of the Ark so important to David?  The new King was trying to do all the right things to establish his monarchy.  Modeling himself after the other kings in the region David creates a bureaucracy, a mercenary army and even a harem.  He has all the trappings of a mid-eastern monarch.  But there were still folks in Israel, followers of the prophet Samuel, who did not like the idea of a king.  They felt the emphasis on the palace would distract from dependence on Yahweh.  In a move to unify the nation, David turned to the Ark.  It stood at the center of the old ideology of “holy war”.  To bring the Ark to Jerusalem would also bring the dangerous and critical presence of Yahweh to the center of David’s court.  Bringing the Ark to Jerusalem meant two things: (1) David must give into the power of God to rule the nation, and (2) The old guard must come to Jerusalem to worship.  It was a remarkable move to bring the nation together.  The only problem was getting the Ark to Jerusalem.
        Central to Old Testament theology is the belief that Yahweh is a jealous God and does not like to be taken lightly.  The legends that surrounded the Ark amplified the holiness of God.  The Hebrews believed that no one could touch this holiness without grave consequences.  Even looking upon God would result in death.  God will not be taken for granted or used as a motto or prop for our adventures, no matter how noble.  God must remain Holy.
        Preparations were made for the transport.  David’s best men were given the honor of carrying the Ark.  Something happened and the Ark began to shift.  In a natural reaction, Uzzah reached out to keep the Ark from falling. His act of courage was his last.  When he touched the Ark, Uzzah instantly died.  What a strange occurrence.  How do we explain it?  We don’t.  But we pay careful attention to the significance of the event.  In verses 8 & 9 we read, “David was angry because of Yahweh’s actions. Then David became very afraid.”  Water Brueggemann comments, “When people are no longer awed, respectful, or fearful of God’s holiness, the community is put at risk.” It appeared David was doing a good thing.  He was bringing the nation together.  But he was also using God for his own political gain.  Anyone choosing to run for public office would do well to remember God is not a convenient tool we display in order to make us look good.  God does not play second fiddle.
        The death of Uzzah had a sobering effect on David.  The ark remained at the house of Obed-edom for three months.  When it was reported to David that the house of Obed-edom had been blessed it became appropriate to once again begin the procession of the Ark to Jerusalem.  Now it appeared that the decision to go to Jerusalem was God’s and not David’s. Almost everyone felt the priorities of the nation were in proper perspective.  Celebrations followed the Ark all the way to Jerusalem.  When the Ark reached the capital we are told that David danced before all the people with great joy.  It is said that he was completely out of control.  He stripped down to his BVD’s and led what must have resembled a conga line. All people rejoiced to see their king suddenly become human.  Every one was ecstatic except his wife Michal.  She practically blew a gasket. What made her so angry?
        Perhaps she felt David’s behavior was unbecoming for a King.  Perhaps as the daughter of Saul, she resented the success of her husband.  We are told Michal despised David and the incident created irreversible damage in their relationship. Michal claimed David had no idea how to act as a King. He had forfeited the respect he must have to be a ruler.  David retorted by saying he was contemptible only in her eyes, but not in the eyes of the nation or the eyes of Yahweh.  The story ends by stating that Michel never bore David a child.  In other words, the Queen exploited her position of strength and was left barren and hopeless.  But David, who humbled himself before God, was exalted.
        What significance could this moment in the history of Israel have for us?  Perhaps it is suggesting that next Sunday I should dance around the Communion Table in my ephod.  It certainly raises some interesting questions concerning the legitimacy of Liturgical dance.  Both neither of those take us to the heart of the text.  To understand the significance of this scripture we must return to the question of Psalm 24, “Who is the King of Glory?”
        Psalm 24 reminds us that the ultimate King is not David or the thousands who have followed him but rather God.  The Psalm begins by declaring that the world exists because God is sovereign.  Even in the midst of chaos, the stability of the world is dependent on the reign of the Lord.  We often become confused and think the David’s, the nations, the multi-national corporations own the world.  But the Psalmist is absolute in his belief.  “The earth is the Lord’s and all who live in it are God’s.”
        The second part of the Psalm identifies the congregation who makes this confession.  They are the ones who come to the sanctuary seeking blessing and righteousness.  They are the ones acknowledging that God is Holy, God is Jealous, and yet God is the author of all sacred possibilities.  They are the ones who come seeking the presence of the mysterious King of Glory.
        The third part of the Psalm identifies the sovereign of the world. “Who is the King of glory?”  God is the one who is righteous, just, faithful, and steadfast in love.  “Who is the King of Glory?”  God is the one we worship and adore.  God is the one who causes us to stop, push all the other stuff in our life aside, and offer a deep and heart felt Amen.     This Psalm announces that if we live a life which focuses on the Almighty, the one who is the creator and sustainer of life, we shall live a life that always sees possibilities even in the midst of chaos.  
        When the Ark came to Jerusalem, it was not a confirmation of David’s reign; it was an affirmation of God’s sovereignty.  David, overcome with joy, put all his dignity aside, and danced. 
        As much as I love music, I confess I am not much of a dancer.  Truth is I never had many opportunities to show off my talents.  In my prime dancing years, the music that was popular did not exactly translate into tunes that allowed one to gracefully glide across the floor. Ever try to dance to Iron Butterfly?  Now I seldom indulge in the wonder of dance because I am fearful folks will look my way and chuckle.   Yet ten years ago, in front of friends and family, I offered my daughter my hand and we danced to that wonderful tune, “You are the sunshine of my life.”  I guess you do things like that when it is your daughter’s wedding and you are overcome with joy.  You dance, and it doesn’t matter what the world thinks. You dance, because your heart is full and your soul is on fire.
        Perhaps, every once in while, regardless what our neighbors think, what the rules of proper etiquette imply, or what the time honored traditions of a church might be, we need to come to worship and dance.  God knows we are dignified.  But does God even have a clue that we are ecstatically joyful to be God’s children?  Perhaps once in while we should put on our dancing shoes and prance around to God’s glory.  But let’s keep our clothes on.  After all, what would the Baptist say?       
                                                 To God be the glory,                       Amen.

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