Message: Dancing before God / 2 Samuel 6:12-19

 After Saul, the first king of Israel, died, David became the second king (2 Samuel 5:3). The biggest challenge David faced was unifying all 12 tribes of Israel. David was not Saul's son, nor was he a member of the tribe of Benjamin to which Saul belonged. Before Saul's death, there was serious conflict between Saul and David, which raised the possibility of a civil war breaking out after David's coronation.

David tried several political strategies to unite Israel as soon as he became king. First, he established Jerusalem as the capital (5:6-9). Saul had made Gibeah, a key city in the tribe of Benjamin, his base. David, however, was crowned king in Hebron, the centre of the tribe of Judah, located in southern Israel, about 41 km (25 miles) south of Gibeah. To unite the north and south, David did not make Hebron his capital. Instead, he conquered Jerusalem where the Jebusites lived, and made it the City of David. Jerusalem was only 9 km (5.6 miles) south of Gibeah, making it a good location to secure Israel.

After establishing Jerusalem as the capital, David tried to move the Ark of God there. The Ark, also called the Ark of the Covenant, was an important symbol of God's presence because it contained the tablets that Moses received from God. The Ark had been kept in the house of Abinadab in a town called Kiriath-Jearim or Baale-Judah after being taken from the Philistines during a war and returned to Israel. Bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem would unite all the tribes of Israel religiously, as the Israelites would make pilgrimages there to offer sacrifices to God.

To bring the ark of God, David organized a huge ceremony. He gathered 30,000 soldiers from all the tribes of Israel and a lot of musicians to play various instruments. To demonstrate his power, David led a huge procession to Abinadab's house and loaded the ark onto a new cart.

But that was like kidnapping God. David was trying to use God to strengthen his political power. His purpose was not pure; he was misusing religion for his authority. The Bible shows that when political leaders exploit religious faith for their own power, it doesn't always end well.

God did not support David's plan to move the ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem for political reasons. When David's procession reached the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen carrying the ark suddenly shook it. When Uzzah caught it to stabilize it, he died right away. The ark, considered the holiest thing, was forbidden to be touched by anyone in a state of sin. This rule applied to everyone equally. God was not the one who made exceptions for the king. God did not remain silent as David used the ark for his political show.

David was angry when things didn't go as planned. Since he couldn't bring the ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, he moved it to Obed-edom's house and then returned to Jerusalem.

Three months later, David heard that Obed-edom's house was blessed because of the ark. At that point, David realized that he, not the ark of God, was at fault. So, he made another attempt to bring it to Jerusalem.

This time, David treated the ark of God very differently. He didn't gather a huge army or wear fancy armour or royal robes. Instead, he wore a linen ephod, a garment worn by assistants to priests. The Bible notes that the boy Samuel wore a linen ephod while being trained by Eli the priest (1 Samuel 2:18). David wore simple clothes and offered sacrifices to God during the procession. After the ceremony, he shared bread, meat, and raisin cakes with all his people. Before God, David was a leader who shared what he had with his people, not a tyrant who exploited them.

Above all, David joyfully danced before the ark of the Covenant, so much that he became uncovered. When Michal, David's wife and Saul's daughter, saw him dancing, she despised him. When he returned home, she sarcastically said to him, “How the king of Israel honoured himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants’ maids, as any vulgar fellow might shamelessly uncover himself!” (6:20) 

In fact, there is no record of any king in the ancient Near East dancing. Kings were not the ones who danced; instead, female dancers performed before them. As the king's daughter, Michal thought that David lacked dignity and respect for royal traditions.

But before God, David took off his mask as a king, as a ruler, as a general. Before God, he became like a child. Before God, he was free from the judgment of others. Before God, he became just as he was. Before God, he danced with joy. For this reason, he replied to Michal: “I was celebrating before the LORD, who chose me over your father and his entire family, and who appointed me leader over the LORD’s people, over Israel—and I will celebrate before the LORD again! I may humiliate myself even more, and I may be humbled in my own eyes, but I will be honoured by the female servants you are talking about!” (6:21-22, CEB)

To function in this world, we need to wear masks that fit our circumstances. To fulfill our responsibilities, we must uphold the roles we need to play at home, work, school, and in our local community. For our livelihood and social relationships, we act like actors on a stage, saying and doing what is expected of us. In this way, Canadian sociologist Erving Goffman (1922-1982) said, “We are all just actors trying to control and manage our public image. We act based on how others might see us.” This isn't something to judge as right or wrong; we have to do what we need to do for ourselves and our society.

But sometimes we need a place to let go of our masks. We need a space to be just as we are and dance without worry and judgment. "Before God" is that place. For some, it might be this church for worship; for others, it might be a quiet room to pray alone; for others, it might be a street for walking their dog; for others, it might be sitting by a campfire with loved ones. Whatever it is, we need a place "before God" and be there as often as possible to keep our lives balanced and happy.

Most importantly, as a faith community, our congregation needs to offer opportunities for people in South Stormont to dance before God. God calls us to be a sanctuary where everyone is welcome. As the people of God, we have to be a place where all can affirm their true selves before God, regardless of age, ability, race, colour, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or social status. May our congregation be a community where everyone can find true joy and happiness.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Rev. Min Hwang

South Stormont Pastoral Charge

Ingleside-Newington United Church & St. Andrew's-St. Mark's United Church

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost